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DEKALB COUNTY

VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

JULY 12, 2010

     The meeting started at 7:00 with President Rich Joslin calling the meeting to order.  We had 10 members in attendance.  The minutes of the previous meeting were read and Mike Boorsma made the motion to accept the minutes as read.  Don Jones seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.  John Davis gave the corporation financial report and there is $1135.12 in the account.  Mike Boorsma made the motion to accept the report and this was seconded by Don Jones.  The report was approved.

     Correspondence, the VA has new rules for PTSD claims.  The veteran needs to have been in a combat zone and has to be certified by a VA doctor that he has PTSD.  The final determination will then be made by a psychiatrist or a psychologist that works for the VA.

     Superintendant Holderman stated that we helped 22 veterans with food assistance, 19 with shelter and 18 with utilities, for a total cost of $8760.26.  There were 14 trips made to various VA hospitals.  The total cost for the month was $29,064.26.  Mike Boorsma made the motion to pay the bills and this was seconded by Don Jones.  The bills were paid.  Superintendant Holderman wanted to pay an additional $175,000 on the mortgage and Mike Boorsma made this motion.  Don Jones seconded the motion and the additional money will be paid.    The first week of June, the staff went to Bloomington, Minnesota for further training and it has been very beneficial to them.  The Vet Fair will be held at the NIU Fieldhouse on September 25 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.  There has been over one hundred letters sent out to various firms to let them know about the event.  The cost to these firms will be $25 per table.  There will also be catering in the form of sandwiches and coffee. 

     The subject of homeless veterans was brought up since Hope Haven is basically full, and the closest other homes for veterans are in Hebron and Rockford.  However, Steve Scoughton told us that if a veteran comes to us we can get them a room someplace, but there hasn’t been very much demand.

     The executive committee met and the two assistants to the superintendant have met and exceeded their probationary obligations.   The assistants will now be regular employees and should receive a pay adjustment.  The Administrative Assistant should also be given an adjustment to her pay due to her increased responsibilities.  Frank Beierlotzer made this motion and it was seconded by Mike Boorsma.  The motion passed.

     While the staff is in training, Jerry Taylor has been sitting in, but has trouble answering all the phone calls.  We are looking at different solutions to this problem.   Mike Boorsma made the motion to adjourn at 7:50.

Respectfully Submitted,

Steve Walz, Secretary

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