Gifts for new vets home "authority "people?

Something here isn't right. And more and more it looks like Snyders MVAA puppet show is getting worse.  We know that Snyder wants the federal money for the states new veterans home before he leaves office.

But to tell ya the truth, I think the Feds should hold off until next year after Snyder is gone.  His entire administration is marked by cronyism, and huge pay offs for his friends and puppets.  And that new home is just plain WRONG. 1 Floor for the whole thing. PERIOD.

The most recent has been at the Authority meeting held at the GR vets home where a vote was taken, on the subject of the new authority being able to accept gifts.. What is this? Why are they accepting gifts? That 350k per year salary they get isn't enough?  Volunteers and staff at the current vets home get fired/kicked out if they accept a gift.. so why is the new MVAA Authority voting to accept gifts? Sounds like more corruption to me. 

New vets home zoning approved, with 1 condition.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/03/new_grand_rapids_veterans_home_1.html

Read the story on Mlive.com

Apparently someone got a hair up her tail recently when we wrote an op claiming that Jim Redford head of MVAA seems to be out of touch, in over his head, and the wrong man for the job.

This person also went off on another posting here and on our facebook page.

Well I think this story proves what we were saying. Many people feel the MVAA just shoved this project forward, without engaging the public or the local residents, and that is NOT good leadership, no matter how you like it.

And while the MVAA recently visited the Vets home and showed them why the new home needed to be put where they want to put it, many people outside the home wonder if it really needs to go there, and are there other options besides destroying one of the last remaining old growth patch of forest.

Dignity restored

I want every one who reads this to understand something.

I have been writing, blogging, Face Booking about the GR vets home since 2010. I helped expose many of the wrong doings going on at that place. Because of this I have been tracked down and contacted by numerous people and organizations. Some private ones, some State of Michigan ones, and some Federal ones. And yet I am just one person among many who helped bring about the positive changes that have happened at the home.

Yet someone whom I trusted has called me nothing more than a ranting troll.  Really? This is why Jerry L wants NOTHING to do with this stuff anymore. All that work he put into it was never appreciated either. And he also was constantly attacked for what he did.

At least I am trying to give people credit for what they have done and the changes they have helped to make happen.It took a team effort, and many people involved, both residents, former residents, out side advocates some who are veterans, some who are not. Do I need to name them? Can I name them without violating their right to privacy?  Is it safe now for me to mention names without fear of reprisal for those who knew us, helped us, kept us informed? Or are they still in danger if we do? This is why the admins here and on face book remain anonymous, I thought people understood this as we have said it numerous times on this blog.

As a resident of the Vets home, I saw many people become victims of the Sara Dunne Administration and could not stand there and do nothing about it. I was compelled to act. So were many others. 

Those of us here on this blog are compelled no longer.

We (the advocates) fought tooth and nail to restore dignity and a voice to those who live at the home and were afraid to speak out.

We did get major changes to occur at the home including the removal of Sara Dunne.

We also got a voice for the veterans at both Homes, the Ombudsman Mr. Kelly Cody.

The Member Council meeting of 1 March 2018, showed us advocates that at last, we had reached another of our major goals.

Four years ago, that meeting would not have happened. Sara and Jim Dunn would not have allowed it.

The fact that it happened means we have restored the residents' rights to assemble, speak and be represented.

Thank you to all the advocates and residents both current and past who made this happen.


Updated 4 March 2018.

Despite MVAA communication problem, Veterans get a voice.

The MVAA has had a big communications problem when it comes to the new vets home project. Today, they corrected that problem and addressed the concerns of the resident veterans at the GR home.

The vets home held its monthly nursing unit members council meeting today, and unlike most meetings, guests were invited. Among those attending were myself, Catherine Kooyers, a known advocate, Catherine Buckley of the American Legion and former commander of the Neil Fonger post in Walker, two city of Grand Rapids city commissioners Joe Jones and Ruth Kelly, a representative from the governors office was there, (can't remember her name either and I know what it is) and 2 representatives from State Congresswoman Winnie Brinks office, from MVAA we had Phil Yeiter Contract and his assistant.

Not in any particular order.. This was my first time seeing Tracy the new administrator who took over Scott's job, in action and I tell ya I was impressed. Also the new CEO who took over Leslie's job, was there and was introduced. Not sure about her as it was only her 4th day on the job. So I will give her time to settle in before I form any opinions.

The meeting was set up by Cathrine Kooyers to give residents a voice to the City Council members, and the MVAA showed up with pictures of the new home and to help settle some issues the residents were concerned about.

Phil Yeiter and his Assistant from MVAA did a GREAT job explaining where the New Veterans Home Project stood. This is the information that has been lacking and causing distrust and uncertainty among veterans and others.

They explained how the grant money from the VA would not only affect the new GR home, but the other homes the MVAA wants to create to replace the one big home model that we currently use. Answering one of the residents questions they told us how the MVAA wants to build homes in the 5 areas around the state, and how they are now looking for property to place these other homes on as near term and long term goals. However first up and foremost is to get the new GR home project going as that is what will bring in the federal money.

They also did a good job of explaining how the home would be built as a bi-level facility, meaning 2 levels due to the 30 foot slope between Coit and Monroe Ave. Specific questions about the construction of the new home, the water problem, etc were asked, and it was decided to try to get the architect firm to come to the home to answer questions by residents and others having concerns about the new homes location. Everyone agreed to that and thought it would be a good idea.

Many questions asked, many answered, but some residents like Kevin, are confused about the new home. If it has only 120 beds, what will happen to the other veterans? also asked was what would happen to the Domiciliary unit. Answer to both is that the current facility would remain open to house those people who did not move to the new GR home, or who wanted to go to the Detroit home after its built, and Dom would stay in the current facility, All current residents would have a place to stay either in one of the new homes, or in their current location.

They explained why the home needed to be put where its going to go. Apparently the state does not own the land the old clinic sits on, but does own the building. and the owner is not cooperating with the state. Also, because of the layout of the new home, if it were to be put there, there would be a problem because of the train station which is a historical building (where the clothing room is) it cannot be touched.

Questions were asked for nearly an hour and Rob wanted to get the normal member meeting done, so Tracy politely explained the situation and put an end to the questions so Rob could hold his normal member meeting. MVAA people went out to the hall to answer questions there while Rob finished up the member meeting. MVAA stayed until everyone left, to ensure every ones questions were answered.

During the normal member meeting, Tracy mentioned that the recent member survey showed the food situation was as usual the biggest issue. And Renee talked about a new program involving residents to improve the meals. Since I am no longer a resident I had to keep quiet.. Man I tell you she was speaking within 3 feet of me and I had to bite my tongue to avoid yelling at her "bullshit!" and "ya had 7 years to do this, what took you so long?!!", but I kept quiet.

Over all I think this was a VERY productive meeting and one that needed to happen. The MVAA is on the brink of finding out if we got the VA money to go ahead with the project and then they have a short time period to get things rolling. They expect the announcement any day now. So this meeting was very important.

Now I think everyone knows what is going on, and why, and is behind the MVAA and supporting the moving forward with this project. People left the meeting no longer feeling confused but feeling good about the new home.