Milledgeville veterans must find new place to live

Eighty-one veterans, all with health problems, have been told they must find another place to live by Nov. 30 because budget cuts are forcing the state to close the Milledgeville domiciliary unit at the Georgia War Veterans Home.

The Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed saving $2.7 million out of its budget by closing the domiciliary, which resembles an old college dorm with communal dining room near the lobby.

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Assistant Commissioner Len Glass said about half the displaced veterans will go either to the state veterans hospital units that provide full nursing care or to the federal Veteran’s Administration’s domiciliary in Dublin. He said the agency was helping the rest of the veterans find new homes — maybe with relatives or friends.

Glass said this cut was proposed in response to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s mandate that every agency submit plans to cut their budgets by 6 percent, 8 percent and 10 percent as revenues continue to fall.

“Those 81 veterans represent .0001 percent of the total [Georgia] veteran population,” Glass said, adding that there were about 750,000 veterans in Georgia.

To qualify for the free room and board at the facility, residents must be war veterans who have a medical problem but do not require nursing care. The average age is 64 ½; the youngest resident is 53 and the oldest is 89.

Alarmed legislators have scheduled a meeting in Milledgeville for Friday.

Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle), chairman of the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee, said the suggested cut in the agency’s $25.7 million budget, which is supplemented with federal funds, had not been approved. He said the Milledgeville meeting would give legislators a chance to “listen to the human side” of the proposed cut.

Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown of Macon accused Republicans of abandoning veterans.

“The sound of Republican patriotic rhetoric praising our veterans rings hollow in Georgia,” Brown said in a written statement. “Georgia Republicans add insult to injury by ordering some of our most vulnerable veterans to celebrate Veteran’s Day this November [11] by packing their bags and joining the homeless…. It’s shameful for Georgia to cast aside veterans, especially at [a] time the United States is at war.”

Glass said none of the domiciliary residents will be pushed out of the domiciliary with no place to go. Glass broke the news to the men Friday. He said they “took it better” than he expected.

Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley, dismissed the criticisms and said the governor is trusting agency heads to suggest spending cuts that will do the least damage. “They know the publics they serve,” Brantley said.

Comments

By Tricia

Nov 28, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

The VA Home in Milledgeville was not fit for a dog to live there. My father was there and was so mistreated. The staff for the most part did not care. They were there just to collect a check. I pray that those displaced will find a better and happier place to live out their days.
My father is gone now. Relatives should keep a real close eye on their loved ones at any nursing home. Dig deeper than just the surface, you will be shocked. These brave and precious souls deserve only the best we can give them. God Bless you all.

By Renee

Nov 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

What a disgrace that Governor Perdue allow his budget staff to close the veteran's home in Milledgeville, Ga so as to save $3 million. These folks served their country, they sacrificed to ensure the safety and security of folks like you and I. And the way that the State of Georgia shows gratitude is by kicking them the curb, leaving them homeless and separating them from friendships with other vets. They deserve better.

I emailed the Governor and suggested ways to save some taxpayer $$$$s..... why not cut out all the travel and training during these tight economic times. I worked for the state for almost two years and I went a couple "training" seminars; what a huge waste of tax dollars. For instance, the fiscal mangers conference, the year I attended it was in Augusta; why not hold the conference in Atlanta, the seat of State Government and home to two major state universities. What about teleconferencing......

At the fiscal manager's conference I attended, the newbees, like myself, actually attended the conference. While the leadership and tried and true bureacrats ditched the conference opting instead to hit the golf courses and bars.

There's alot of areas that could be trimmed down to accomodate the $3 million cut that you need to come up with versus closing this veteran's home. Stop the perks, make up the $3m cut by a statewide ban on: travel & training, limit take home vehicles, new furniture purchases, limit or do away with catered meetings.

By Margaret Wade

Nov 11, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

I have a personal care home with three rooms. Please contact about veterans who are looking for some to live The home is in Ellenwood, GA right outside of Atlanta, GA

By Eugenia Johnson

Nov 11, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

I would love to help at least 6-10 displaced veterans in my personal care home facility.. Im located in Atlanta, Ga
near the VA Clinic.. Please call me, would love to help...678-481-7191

By Eugenia Johnson

Nov 11, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

I would love to help at least 6-10 displaced veterans in my personal care home facility.. Im located in Atlanta, Ga
near the VA Clinic.. Please call me, would love to help...678-481-7191

By Eugenia Johnson

Nov 11, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

I would love to help at least 6-10 displaced veterans in my personal care home facility.. Im located in Atlanta, Ga
near the VA Clinic.. Please call me, would love to help...678-481-7191

By cheryl scofield

Sep 19, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

I'sm a RN, who has worked at Ga. War Veterans Home in all 4 of the different building at one time or the other. The veterans in the Domicillary deserve a home just like the veterans in the other 3 skilled care building. Most of the guys in the DOM do not have families that they can live with. They have had problems for a number of years coping with this world after the different wars they fought in. They deserve to be able to stay in the Wheeler building. Maybe people need to investigate the real reasons they are closing the DOM

By tony

Sep 15, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

We would be very interested in opening a personal care home just to house the brave and honorable Veterans. If anyone out there knows how to go about doing so or can help with a vacant facility please contact me at 678-518-9043. Thank you.

By Betty Clark

Sep 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I will be more than happy to open my Personal Care Home to veterans who needs a place to stay with all amenties and 3 meals a day you can contact me at 4042160548, or my email address U2conceptsPCH@yahoo.com
Ask For BJClark

By Betty Clark

Sep 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

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