CLEARFIELD – DuBois resident Barry Abbott sought for the Clearfield County Commissioners to retract its March 16 deadline to accept letters of interest for the formation of its Veterans Advisory Committee at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Last week, the commissioners voted to approve forming the committee in response to recent concerns that have been voiced regarding the operation of the Clearfield County Veterans Affairs Office.
However, Abbott wanted the commissioners to permit adequate time for the commanders of each Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts to meet with their officers and members to solicit volunteers to serve on the committee.
Abbott encouraged meetings with all the commanders and officers from each veteran organization within the county. He recommended the commissioners allow outside input from them regarding the make-up, duties and the scope and power of the committee.
“You all should develop a working platform and outline the expectations and limitations of this committee,” he said. “This committee should not in any way, shape or form be used for a whipping post for the Veterans Affairs (Office’s) finished or unfinished business.”
He believed “the many knowledgeable and respected veterans” who are members of these organizations should be leading the organization of the advisory committee. He was opposed to the committee members being “hand-picked” by the commissioners.
In addition, he wanted the committee to have the freedom to appoint its slate of officers and the permission to initiate reasonable recommendations before the commissioners in order to better the county’s services to all veterans.
Abbott, however, pointed out that many have been puzzled by the recent comments by the commissioners in the news media. According to him, the commissioners wanted the advisory committee “to serve as the contact point for veterans.”
“Isn’t that the job of our Veterans Affairs Office of Clearfield County?” he asked. He, too, mentioned that people were puzzled by the commissioners wanting the committee to prepare fair and impartial reviews of the issues, which affect veterans in the county.
“Isn’t that part of the commissioner’s office? Aren’t you to be the watchdogs for our veterans? Isn’t it your job to address and solve these issues concerning our veterans?
“As leaders of our county, it’s your responsibility to investigate and respond to controversy, such as these issues surrounding the Veterans Affairs Office. You, the commissioners, should be responsible for the actions within the Office of Veterans Affairs, not an advisory committee put together in a two-week timeframe.”
Abbott wanted the county’s veterans to be assured that each would be treated fairly, honestly and compassionately. The veterans and their families have placed our freedoms at their forefront daily, so that we could continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he said.
He encouraged the commissioners to “set aside the deadline” and contact each post commander, allowing these men and women to organize and operate the advisory committee without any political interference or discourse.
He asked if “another bureaucratic committee” that would “work inside the framework of the commissioner’s office” was really necessary.
“My answer is no,” he said.
Commissioner Chairperson Joan Robinson-McMillen indicated the board had already contacted all of the post commanders. She said these individuals would sit on the applicant review committee.
The commissioners have received “quite a response,” especially from the Clearfield and DuBois areas, Commissioner Mark B. McCracken said. However, they want more applicants from other areas of the county as well.
McCracken said the county has implemented similar advisory committees in other departments, such as the Children, Youth and Family Services, Clearfield County Solid Waste Authority and the Clearfield Emergency Management Agency/911.