UVLC Minutes–Wednesday, March 3, 2010
• Call to order – 0930 Hrs.
• Invocation – Jerry Kyser
• Pledge of Allegiance – Howard Wilson
• Recognition of visitors and guests and Commander’s of VSO’s –Ramsey Co. CVSO
• Reports from: Chairman, Ralph Donais -Vice Chairman, Jerry Kyser : Ralph D. reported that there are close to 60 bills in Legislature pertaining to veterans. Jerry K added comments about veterans preference bill.
1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations
MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Deputy Commissioner – Amy Rudolph: The bonding bill passed the legislature. It contains 2 projects for DVA. The Governor’s supplemental funding is out, most programs got cut. They did not. They got a couple of new projects. Updates are on the website every Friday afternoon. Gil Acevedo: Bldg 9 hoping to have ground breaking in couple months, Mock resident room in auditorium, Bldg 4 started renovation for adult day care, should be completed by fall. Waiting on Dept of Health survey-Justice has been there. Fergus Falls expansion should be complete by Dec 2010. They have done a Medicare study.
MN Veterans 2009 Legislative Info – Information Officer – Anna Long: Newsletters available and there is a new brochure available.
MN Military Affairs – Officer Candidate Davin Fischer:
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)- Kathy Vitalis : Has letters to fill in to send to leg to support MACV then you can fax it in. They have standdown flyers, they are also on their website. Wall busting in Duluth was 2 weeks ago. 2nd Veterans law clinic will be Mar 16 at Ramsey County Courthouse. Thank you to all who have donated.
CVSO (Ramsey CO.) Addressed photo
MN Veterans Initiatives Center and Research Institute (VICTRI) – Jim Coultort—Absent
DAV: Jeff Alger: Absent.
Other MN Veteran Organizations
2. Federal Agencies
VISN 23 –Cynthia; Hand outs on table in the back. Dr. Petzill was confirmed. 2011 Proposed budget is very good. Good Housekeeping article was inaccurate. VISN 23 magazine is out. Working very hard on homeless vets. Homeless vet hotline will be up and running soon. March 9, 2010 she has a call scheduled for legislators.
VA Regional Office – Peter Panos, PAO for Dr Carol Fillman, Director: They have stopped issuing checks from regional offices because education benefits are caught up. GSA who owns their building are is moving forward with move. He commented on the CBS story on Voc. Rehab. on individuals who were turned down for voc rehab. Fiduciary contractor that took money –all vets have gotten money back—contractor was sentenced to prison and restitution.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Steve Kleinglass, Director: absent
St Cloud VA Medical Center – Joan Vincent-PAO—working hard to get people processed timely for C&P. Hired a surgeon for ambulatory surgery. Have funding for 3 small construction projects. They will participate in a Welcome Home ceremony the end of March.
cRon: working ongetting outreach better and working with other groups ie CVSOs
Minneapolis Vets Center – Ron Taylor-St. Paul vets center: They are working on upgrading their outreach and working with other groups ie: CVSOs.
Ft Snelling Cemetery – Art Smith, Director:
February Current FYTD Total to Date Breakdown by Service-Feb
Total Internments 344 1,774 189,110 Army 83
Caskets 200 897 150,040 Navy 45
Cremations 120 714 37,245 Marines 14
Columbarium 24 163 1,825 Air Force 17
Female Veterans-Total 1,430
Veterans Training Service [VETS] – Jodi Bean: 20% of claims had Merit & companies refused to comply so these will move forward. Agency wide we are upgrading our webpage and Mission statement. Were asked by a legislator to help with spouses being discriminated against.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar –Greg Swanholm – Absent.
Senator Al Franken – Nicole Ly – Absent.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson- Al Loehr: Talked about the new task force they are forming to address issues of Gulf War vets. They will be in Washington and meet with people to get a better handle on the mission statement of the task force.
1st District Representative –Tim Walz – Absent
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson: PDMRA got resolved. Everyone should have checks by 19th. .
3rd District Representative –Erik Paulsen – John-Paul Yates: Absent
4th District Representative- Betty McCollum- Connie Haddeland- Betty has had a unique couple of months. She has met with both National Commanders- Legion & VFW. They are arranging Academy Night for candidates for academies. Provided letter from Betty.
5th District Representative –Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler: Absent
6th District Representative- Bachmann – Chase R. Kroll: They sent valentines to veterans. They will be conducting job fairs in the future and working on welcome home for troops.
8th District Representative- James Oberstar – Melissa Jabas – They are participating in Academy night and are happy about new F-16’s.
4. Announcements –
Ralph spoke on people supporting our local clubs. Armed forces Service Center needs volunteers.
5. Special guests gave presentation on enhancement of cemetery at Little Falls. Sue Prosapio and
artist, Charles Kapsner.
6. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes
7. Old Business –
Treasurer’s report-given: Starting balance-$3,629.86; Income(dues)-$700.00;
Expenses-$149.62; Ending balance-$4,180.24.
8. New Business –
We need to stay on top of what is going on at the Capitol.
9. Good of the Order:
Ralph D. read a letter from VAMC thanking UVLC for donation, it will go in emergent Fund.
Adjourned: 1147 Hrs/ Next Meeting 9:30 AM – Wed, April 6, 2010 Building 9 Auditorium Mpls Medical Center Campus, Mpls, MN
Ralph Donais, Chairman: Phone: 763-441-2630 E-mail: r.l.donais@izoom.net
Jerry Kyser,1st Vice Chairman: Phone: 651-338-2717 E-mail: crazyjerry45@hotmail.com
Lawrence Dean, 2nd Vice Chairman: Phone: 651-484-2837 E-mail: lodean.1@uno.com
Don Rask, Treasurer: Phone: 651-647-0398 E-mail: rchief1533@comcast.net
Fay Hassie, Secretary: Phone: 651-698-5860 E-mail: Hassco@iname.com