tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87291347343503398982024-03-14T08:20:11.045-04:00Grand Rapids Home for VeteransNews of what is going on at the Veterans Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the changes finally taking place there. This page is the Original source of information about the home, as reported by former members (residents) of the home. Our Facebook page is no longer in operation, due to too many problems with Face book.
This page is not connected to the homes administration, or any employee, in any way, shape or form, nor is it approved by them.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-56214515042288429432022-08-10T20:33:00.000-04:002022-08-10T20:33:01.444-04:00Aug 10, 2022 ride around the new home.<p> I was out on my Bike today, did a 12 mile trip in and around northern GR and Comstock park. Went by the vets home. Not one veteran was seen outside, walking about the new home. This was about 1.30pm. <br /><br />Went over to the duckpond landing. Wow, the water level is low. The gate to the water fall down to the grotto can be seen very clearly thru the overgrowth. <br />Top photo: Creek under the bridge.. water level is so low behind it, nothing is flowing thru it. </p><p>Middle photo: The fountain.</p><p>Bottom photo: Waterfall gate at the old railroad bridge, where the water falls down into the grotto. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB9nOXaifsLViopaokvr-CdlGTribMZdl4a5MWcE35xBLxxIVM-arjlshXybPOuLQYAAY6MVDKdtkL_6z5tVgWNL01f3N4Vy25vgKnuQ1l4nI-7_H3kn05yN58lCiDxFXoJBTjwSyg2ZvuMWJ8Vw5caM6evz2zXS3A8o-x98CPy8vI855TdwAeA/s2160/20220810_135345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB9nOXaifsLViopaokvr-CdlGTribMZdl4a5MWcE35xBLxxIVM-arjlshXybPOuLQYAAY6MVDKdtkL_6z5tVgWNL01f3N4Vy25vgKnuQ1l4nI-7_H3kn05yN58lCiDxFXoJBTjwSyg2ZvuMWJ8Vw5caM6evz2zXS3A8o-x98CPy8vI855TdwAeA/s320/20220810_135345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9_TJiWBnX-3GknMp9KjZZsdhdemEM-OCMVLFP81AVnQFuAwSUqnIVnOZrON2wQMqBCRdJo1NXXxkrBbohhoZb-5eYdOxBmrpHOs-p93Cn5oiYcZzp0KSFBh2feCOpaoQYNUjNRAXHloRZq6bm0UlSw4w-2uuUDYH90wIExS-9q88rhvCDfk8UA/s2160/20220810_135402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9_TJiWBnX-3GknMp9KjZZsdhdemEM-OCMVLFP81AVnQFuAwSUqnIVnOZrON2wQMqBCRdJo1NXXxkrBbohhoZb-5eYdOxBmrpHOs-p93Cn5oiYcZzp0KSFBh2feCOpaoQYNUjNRAXHloRZq6bm0UlSw4w-2uuUDYH90wIExS-9q88rhvCDfk8UA/s320/20220810_135402.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Pr-SZ9BL9qadLryOGAVP4ZcAGX_W9j7iC2BFlG6v6gUYbRqKmCakIBVzPKYXd-4VoczF2ts60Ai6kljm5TWlmIQBB2ImE99_kb5CqBrj2V75CE2EI_K3wKlY4IZobz6pitj34L-T_fAKoyZCWKmgDayzsDqGIarTsaGwrsS2xz1c1T7dFrlrg/s2160/20220810_135333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Pr-SZ9BL9qadLryOGAVP4ZcAGX_W9j7iC2BFlG6v6gUYbRqKmCakIBVzPKYXd-4VoczF2ts60Ai6kljm5TWlmIQBB2ImE99_kb5CqBrj2V75CE2EI_K3wKlY4IZobz6pitj34L-T_fAKoyZCWKmgDayzsDqGIarTsaGwrsS2xz1c1T7dFrlrg/s320/20220810_135333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-26783656600547353872022-07-14T23:45:00.001-04:002022-07-14T23:45:36.749-04:00Construction firm responsible for new Vets home named one of the top 100 companies in nation?! <p> https://grbj.com/news/construction/construction-firm-ranks-among-best-in-nation/</p><p>So let me get this correct. The company that built the new Veterans home in Grand Rapids that failed inspection twice, that was not completed on time, was named one of the best in the nation?<br /><br />Ok, who is paying off who here? <br /><br />We already reported several problems with the new home here, on this blog. So how did this firm get named one of the top 100 in the entire country? Something here is not adding up. </p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-28448533857673701812022-06-29T16:07:00.003-04:002022-06-29T16:07:37.553-04:00It's Empty now. No more Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.<p>I stopped in last week to drop off some stuff for one of the veterans. I was told the old GRH4V buildings were now empty of residents.<br /><br />Anyone remaining there has been moved to the new building, which is part of the Michigan Veterans Homes. New name, same old poor service to the veterans. Most of the guys I talked to do not like the new building as there are too many things wrong with it, that have not been properly corrected. <br /><br />And all but 2 told me the new home is nothing more than a fancy place to go to die. <br /><br />No one seems to know what they are going to do with the remaining 2 older buildings. Or that multi million dollar fiasco awning over its main entrance. Maintenance crew has been reduced, as well as grounds crew. Not even sure if the Duck Pond or fishing pond, or Grotto is even being used anymore. The place is starting to look a bit dilapidated. <br /><br />No more carnival, no more cozy corners, nor more anything. Soon the entire place will be a forgotten memory just like this blog. <br /><br />This is the last post here. I see no reason to carry on posting about that place. It will remain as a monument of shame for the way we the people of Michigan have treated our veterans. And perhaps that too is best forgotten. <br /><br /><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-75499036599111918692022-05-23T10:26:00.009-04:002022-05-23T10:47:27.463-04:0015 years, millions of dollars spent, are our veterans better cared for than before? <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is an end of an era and the beginning of a new one after millions of dollars were spent, with millions still unaccounted for and Michigan is still near the bottom of the list for taking care of its veterans compared to 49 other states and 2 federal zones. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What did this accomplish, and was it a success or a failure? I guess that depends on your point of view as to what the goal was. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If the goal was to get better treatment for the limited number of veterans the state cares for, then in some ways the answer might be yes, but that can be argued that the answer is clearly no. While the state did chose a new model to use, it only adopted part of that model. The state is still trying to run its veterans homes as a for profit business instead of a non profit business and that can create a lot of problems for the veterans themselves. Using contract labor instead of full time state workers is that problem. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This means caregivers at a given location can change every day, and that is not good for some of the veterans who need consistency in their care. They need to feel safe and comfortable with their caregivers. And after working with their charges, caregivers learn what each veterans needs are and thus can provide better long term care. You cannot get that result when new people are being rotated in every other day or every other week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If the goal of changing the model of how Michigan takes care of its veterans was to provide proper care for existing veterans and more veterans, then answer is clearly no. It is a failure. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">600,060,000 or so thousand veterans live in Michigan. WWII and Korean war vets, Vietnam vets, Cold war Vets, peacetime vets, Desert shield, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan veterans are passing on to the next reality every day, so the number constantly fluctuates. Many are taking their own lives rather than live with their problems that no one is helping them with. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And still today, the state cannot or does not provide any care for more than 1,000 of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2010 when Frank Sanarski had to leave his post of administrator of the home due to health reasons, the politicians took over and really messed things up. Instead of getting a qualified administrator to take his place, they promoted an unqualified person to the position, which was supposed to be temporarily until they could find a properly qualified person to do the job. They promoted the head of kitchens, Sara D to the position. <br /><br />A search was made for qualified people, and several were found but the politicians in Lansing (the capital), played games, and violated Michigan's laws, and kept her in the position longer than she was allowed to be there. Then in 2012, she got her certification and the job became permanent over objections of many representatives in Lansing. And things got very very bad at the home under her administration. This was in part due to the fact that even with her certification, she was not the best person for the job. And the other part was the politicians in Lansing trying to micromanage everything at the home. Some of those people were out right political monsters that played dirty, and our veterans suffered because of it. <span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It started under Democrat governor Jenny Granholm. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">2009 Dec Governor Granholm
signs into law, no smoking in state owned buildings. At the time Vets had
special smoking rooms to use. They were supposed to get an exemption to the law
but Granholm refused to sign it. The result was veterans who smoked, including those disabled and in wheelchairs had to go outside in the middle of winter with no place to go to get out of the weather. This caused many deaths at the home, among other problems. This cruel situation was addressed 2 years later in a haphazard way that was better than nothing. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the administration of Sara D, residents became afraid to speak up, as they noticed that those who did, found themselves kicked out of the home. Many of them had nowhere else to go, and ended up on the streets where they died. We lost quite a few to that. The residents were living in fear. So in 2010, 3 guys who had lived in the Domiciliary unit, started a blog page about what was happening at the home so people could learn what was going on. They started reporting on things the administration did not want people to know. This blog, is the one they started and have run all this time.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">2012 Feb, A Michigan State Job posting for administrator level 18 (the job Sara has held for over 18
months, a full year longer than allowed by Michigan law), is posted all over the home in several locations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">2012 March
legislature introduces bill for Ombudsman for the veterans. It takes them another year or more to get it signed into law, and even then veterans are still hesitant to speak with the ombudsman out of fear of reprisals from the administration. <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><span>In March 2013 a new Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is created with the goal of qualifying Michigan for federal tax money to help them with the states Veterans. at that time, Michigan was dead last, 52 out of 52 Federal sections, which include 50 states and Guam and Puerto Rico. It did manage to do achieve its goal to some extent, but due to </span><span>interference and lack of cooperation by legislators, the agency was not able to fulfill its mission properly and completely</span><span>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2013 May, at a Board of managers
meeting, Former Congressman and then MVAA </span>representative<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Jim Dunn is reported as saying "If they do not like it, they can
leave", in response to a group of residents calling themselves"Veterans for Justice" concerns over the treatment of Veterans at
the home. <br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This bad attitude of “You don’t have to be here” and “you don’t like it,
leave” was very, very, common among administrators and Pubic Employees in MVAA
towards veterans. The problem was most vets had nowhere else to go. And GRH4V
had a habit of tossing vets to the street where they died. This is why some residents decided to form a group and dare speak up for those who could not. The founder of the group Jerry L., was later kicked out of the home for preventing a resident from killing another resident. Jerry L. was also one of the residents who went to Lansing to testify to the state congress committee about the conditions at the home. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In May 2013, the Federal government also started investigating what was going on at the home. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Going to skip forward 3 years.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2016, Residents and former residents went to lansing to testify to the state legislature. Then the government did something it has done only once before in our states history - they held a session outside of the capital. They held 1 session at each of the two veterans homes that Michigan runs. The Grand Rapids home for Veterans and the John Jacobetti home in Marquette. This only the 2nd time in our state history this happened. <br /><br />Many changes came from this. Some good, some not so good. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Michigan decided to follow the Model of Tennessee, and found that having 1 big location for most of michigan with a 2nd home in the upper peninsula, just depended too heavily on local resources for the Grand Rapids home. This also meant that the home had to compete with the 3 big local hospitals for qualified workers. And this resulted in qualified worker shortages. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This model also meant that people whose families lived on the other side of the state had to drive for hours to visit their veterans. <br /><br />So, the Tennessee model had 5 smaller homes located in various parts of the state, each one drawing on local resources, and not overwhelming their locations. And Michigan thought that was a good idea - and it is. Each of the Homes were divided up into 4 "pods" or "neighborhoods" type units with 25 or so residents in each one, all connected to a central building. Each Pod had its own eating area, its own common room (like a living room in a house) and the main center building was the visitor center and held the staff offices and such. Great idea! <br /><br />Now where to put them.. A new home for the Grand Rapids area.. One near Detroit.. So they built one in Chesterfield, just west of Detroit </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now there is talk of adding a 2nd one just north of detroit. This one, in my humble opinion is not needed as the Federal VA already runs a veterans home in downtown Detroit.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They were talking about putting one up in the thumb area, in the Flint/Saginaw/Bay City area, and one somewhere by Cadillac to cover the upper west side of the lower peninsula including Traverse City. <br /><br />And of course the one in Marquette would be rebuilt and upgraded to modern standards.<br /><br />So they began on the Grand Rapids one first. But where to put it. Instead of taking down the existing builds and putting the new one where they are now, they took down the Rankin building and half the support area. They wiped out the picnic area and the old growth forest there. They had to leave the old Train Station in place because its an historical building. And they put the home between the old VA clinic, wrapping it around the train station, and down along the access road between Lamberton Creek and where the old Rankin building once stood. And when it was finished, it failed inspection. Another year goes by and they finally get it done and residents are moving into it from the older buildings, but there are still problems with it. <br /><br />During the construction, they reduced the Grand Rapids home for Veterans population from about 750 down to about 150. And they slowly eliminated the domiciliary unit.<br /><br />There is also another major difference between the Michigan and Tennessee homes. The Tennessee homes are ran as <b><i>non profit</i></b> entities. Veterans do not go without, and the homes are staffed by volunteers, with minimal paid state employees to run them. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan will run its homes as a <b><i>for profit</i></b> business. Administrative and grounds and maintenance personnel will be state employees, while many in the nursing and caregiving staff will be contract employees. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This means they will charge exorbitant fees for a veteran to live there. This is not taking care of our veterans. <br /><br />So what has this all accomplished? Yes the 1,000 or so veterans the state once took care of, are now spread out across the state. We have 3 homes now actively housing veterans. 3 out of 5. Two more are yet to be built. Will they do this? And at what cost? </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are our veterans now better off than they were in 2009 when this whole nightmare started? I think the answer is clearly <b><u><i>no!</i></u></b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> While they have a new building to move into and now 3 locations to choose from, the fact remains the Administration of these homes is still way under performing. The board of managers that ran the GR for Vets home has been or will be disbanded. A new bureaucracy will replace it, that will run the new Veterans homes with a new name. Michigan Veterans Homes. All of them were and are being ran as <i><b>a for profit business</b></i>. And under the new system the state will still be limited to less than 700 people in 5 homes, with a population of about 125 at each location, which is less than the number of people at the GR home, and does not count those at the Marquette facility. So after spending all that money, <i><b>Michigan will still be caring for fewer vets, than before</b>. </i>And there have been at least 3 different administrators at the GR home since Frank Sanarski left in 2010. This is not a good sign of things to come in the future.<br /><br />And the new home is still highly restrictive to veterans and visitors. Some people have called it a "fancy warehouse for veterans to go to, to die". WOW!, Even I have trouble agreeing with that one, as it seems a bit too extreme. But I do wonder if the quality of life will be better for the veterans at the new building. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I stopped by there the other day and talked to a few residents who were outside the main entrance. According to them, there are still issues at the new home. Something to do with the shower drains being installed too high, and the water not being able to drain properly. One said the drinking water smells and tastes like something ran thru a toilet so the residents living there will not drink it.<br /><br />The new home was built without sufficient staff space. So now when they have to have a meeting, the staff has to take over the visitors area, which doubles as a day area where bingos are held, and thus residents and guests are unable to use the area at those times. <br /><br />Also, all that construction around the old train station seems to have disturbed the ground around its foundation and they found the walls in the basement of it are starting to cave in. Apparently the cost to restore it far exceeds its historic value and it may end up being demolished despite its being historic, and after all the effort not to do so when they built the new place. Now this is ironic as many said they never should have built in that location in the first place, and instead should have taken down the entire existing buildings and put the new one were the current one is. <br /><br />Also, there are 4 employees for every resident at the home now. Drive over there. Very little room for visitor parking. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">After 15 years, millions of dollars spent, and thousands of hours of talking heads spewing about what to do, how to do it, and where to do it, I think the outcome is very clear. <b><i><u>Michigan is not capable of taking proper care of its veterans. </u></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So after all this the final question needs to be asked. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Will Michigan remain at the bottom of the list for taking care of its veterans? If the last 15 years is any example, then I do believe the answer is yes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Shame on us. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br />Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-36676219973404803452022-04-22T13:29:00.002-04:002022-04-22T13:29:37.972-04:00Well, kind of an update? <p>April 2022. Really not much to post. </p><p><br />The home is still pretty much in lock down for the most part, to outside visitors. Those that do go there have to go thru a bunch of garbage just to be able to visit their family members.</p><p>It appears to be still closed to the general public. <br /><br />It is almost as bad as the Prison ran by a former administration under Sara Dunn. </p><p>I am being told most of the remaining veterans are being slowly moved over to the new building and that this move should be completed by the end of this month, with just a few people remaining in the Domiciliary unit located in the main building of the old complex. You know, the one with the multi million dollar awning that doesn't even do what the new one was supposed to do? </p><p>Well when the move is complete, and the place has finally settle down, and the last Dom unit person has either been moved to the new building, left the facility, or died off, it will probably be the end of this blog. </p><p>10 years trying to get MICHIGAN to un-ass its head and start taking proper care of our veterans has been a dismal failure. We are still almost dead last out of 52 regions. Millions of dollars spent. Some think wasted. And the place has become nothing more than a warehouse for dying people. Shame on us all for allowing this to happen. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-83383528781423681852022-02-12T14:17:00.000-05:002022-02-12T14:17:45.302-05:00Time to replace the Jacobetti home in Marquette? <p>Interesting article posted recently. It has a feel of Dejavu to it. We have heard this before. In fact I have been hearing it since 2012. Yes the Grand Rapids Model was a failure, in part because of Michigan Politics and the congress's poor management of our states Veteran system which left Michigan in dead last place, 52 out of 52 regions, for taking care of our veterans. This resulted in an administration that was also totally mismanaged by unqualified people with little or no accountability or oversight being applied by the state legislature. Millions of dollars were lost and are still yet unaccounted for, among other problems that administration had. The result was a call for a total overhaul of our veterans system. And today we are still in 52nd place out of 52 regions. This is the 50 states and Guam and Puerto Rico. </p><p>And they still did not do it right. It was decided to follow the model of Tennessee, and move from 2 main facilities to smaller local ones, spread out throughout the state. A new management team to oversee the new model as well. Lots of money being spent. BUT was it spent wisely? </p><p>The Tennessee model is NON PROFIT. Michigan's model is FOR profit, and it shows. Anybody want to guess how much they are charging veterans per month to be at the Grand Rapids location? Better get out the Zeros, because it's over 10,000 a month. </p><p>Again with the new Veterans homes, poor management is resulting in delays and other problems. First, the Grand Rapids home resulted in one of the few remaining old growth forest areas being eliminated. The new "home" was built at the cost of millions of dollars, and is still not yet fully certified to have residents. Only one quarter of it has passed state inspections. They had a grand opening this last year, and here we are months later and it is still not fully functional. How much more is it going to cost taxpayers before they get it right? </p><p>They did manage to build a second home in Chesterfield, at a former military base. This place is located North East of Detroit on the edge of Lake Saint Clare and the Saint Clare River which separates Michigan from Canada. Not getting many reports as to how well it is doing or if they are fully functional yet. <br /><br /><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Sens. </span><u style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.senatoredmcbroom.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0606; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;">Ed McBroom</a></u><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px;"> and Adam Hollier are proposing a generational investment in veterans with the construction of a new veterans home in Detroit and the replacement of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.</span></p><p><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">“Plans for both of these projects have been years in the making, and their construction was proposed by the 2016 Veterans Workgroup as a way to increase and improve the care our military veterans have earned through their service,” said McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. “The Michigan Veteran Facility Authority Board has included both of these projects as priorities since 2016 and now is the time to follow through.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;">The Veterans Workgroup was created to address the shortfalls of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, with the establishment of the Michigan Veteran Facility Authority Board resulting from its recommendations. Since then, the authority board has overseen the construction of several facilities that now comply with federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations, thus helping obtain essential funding to provide care to the state’s veterans.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“Wayne County has the state’s largest community of veterans and they deserve to have a facility near the Dingell VA,” Hollier said. </p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Ok so let me understand this correctly. They have one new facility in chesterfield which is just north of Detroit and now they want a 2nd one IN Detroit? They want it near the VA facility? Doesn't the federal VA already run a veterans home next to their VA </span><span style="color: #444444;">facility</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> in downtown Detroit? I am told they do. </span></span></p><p>I understand the need to do something with the Jacobetti home in Marquette, but do we need another home in Detroit when we we still have a region not being served in Michigan's North west, or in the upper part of the lower peninsula? Maybe that is where the other home should be built before we put another home in the Detroit area. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYQE_rQ3-N85D8Y9SY5oC0sMFq0D1QvO_o-8k-vFp6bEaRuZBPzAdqX623AkCncordFRE5wUbk7CcZuAWWfvMY5oPoxBNCLXxrIvyT7Niy83Iczbk_PAezNZ7-Pq04Ombiecj32PLk_Mnw8jIyyxsyWfLOD7wAJpLxAjLoUJKypX28uSIZlCfBfg=s861" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="861" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYQE_rQ3-N85D8Y9SY5oC0sMFq0D1QvO_o-8k-vFp6bEaRuZBPzAdqX623AkCncordFRE5wUbk7CcZuAWWfvMY5oPoxBNCLXxrIvyT7Niy83Iczbk_PAezNZ7-Pq04Ombiecj32PLk_Mnw8jIyyxsyWfLOD7wAJpLxAjLoUJKypX28uSIZlCfBfg=w320-h306" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Here is a link to the article: </p><p><a href="https://www.radioresultsnetwork.com/2022/02/10/senators-call-for-jacobetti-home-repleacement-new-home-in-detroit/" target="_blank">Senators call for Jacobetti home replacement, new home in detroit.</a><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-59208928409132372632022-01-27T19:04:00.005-05:002022-01-31T16:17:28.752-05:0014,000+ a MONTH to be at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans? <p>This has to be someone's idea of a sick joke. But I just got a call from an elderly lady who cannot care for her husband anymore. He is on dialysis 3 times a week, and pretty much is bed ridden. He is currently in hospital recovering from a fall, and his wife is no longer able to care for him, so she looked at putting him in the veterans home.</p><p>She about fell over when she was told it would cost him over 14,000 a MONTH to be at the home. </p><p>Well that should not surprise us when they run it as a FOR PROFIT institution. Heck back in 2010 they were charging Domiciliary guys nearly 7,500 a month, and that was the cheapest rate they had. Nursing unit guys got charged a LOT more. </p><p>THIS is why Michigan is dead last of 52 regions for taking care of its veterans. </p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-50455494336723146042022-01-25T11:17:00.005-05:002022-01-25T22:21:43.108-05:002022 more of the same ole, same ole failures at the Veterans homes in Grand Rapids Michigan.<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Wow. This is depressing. By this time I was hoping to be able to post some good news about these 2 places. I had high hopes. But once again the Michigan Legislature and their appointees have disappointed us. Oh we got them (the state congress) to get off their lazy butts and "Do something" about a situation that had become so bad, it was fast becoming a national embarrassment for the state. By that I mean the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans operational situation under the Cronyism administration of their puppet Sara Dunn. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This forced the state to re-think how it cares for its veterans. At the time, Michigan was 52 out of 52 regions. Yes, 52. Guam and Puerto Rico did better than Michigan and we were dead last.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today we still are. The state decided to go with a new model, and choose the model that the State of Tennessee used, but with a twist. Tennessee homes are NON PROFIT. The Michigan homes are FOR PROFIT. That is correct. The State wants to make money from our Veterans. Now I don't know about you, but I call that NOT meeting its federal obligations to our Vets. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So what did the state do? It decided to move from having 1 big home and one small home in the Upper Peninsula, to having 5 smaller homes scattered throughout the state, near major cities so that each home could draw on the resources from those areas, and so residents could be closer to their families. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To do this, the old home at Grand Rapids would be eventually eliminated. A new home would be built. The old home held over 750 residents at one time, the new home about 125 or so. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They began by destroying part of an old growth forest on the property, eliminating the picnic and band stand area, and removing the oldest wing of the G.R. Home. The historical building in the shape of a V for Veterans, the Rankin building was removed and the new Tennessee idea home was built on that spot. And at the same time they slowly reduced the population at the remaining part of the old G.R. Home. Population there is now about 150 or so people. Yet I keep getting report that they have 400 staff working there to care for these 150 or so people! How many does it take?! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Corona virus epidemic hit and the residents were placed in house arrest and the place was closed to the public and visitors including family member for a very long time. Many residents were forced into room restriction and not allowed to leave their rooms except on days when they had to take a shower or had doctors appointments outside the Vets home. And its been 2 years now under these conditions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">At the same time the construction of the new home began and the legislature had 2 different administrations operating at this location. The old administration running the old home and the new administration running the new home and the 2nd site being constructed over in Chesterfield Michigan. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Chesterfield site was completed first and from what I am being told, is now being used by veterans. It passed inspections and is fully functional, however I do not have validated proof of that claim. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I do know that the Grand Rapids new home was completed, and it has FAILED inspection a number of times. Only 1/4th of it is usable at this time. So the States failures to complete this project is continuing. Oh they had the dedication and grand opening of the new G.R. home in September of 2021. That was 5 months ago!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But that grand opening is like having a grand opening for your new bathroom compared to the whole house. And this one cost Michigan taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Grand Rapids location is still in simi lockdown. The new building is still being fixed. And Michigan is still in last place for taking care of its Veterans. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The only thing that has changed is the names and the people and the ever increasing costs and tax burden on the people of Michigan due to poor performance by our public employees. <br /><br />I was hoping to be able to give a better report on things. I was hoping I could post about the mass improvements and how much better it was for veterans. Sadly, I cannot. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But even now, history of the past is fading from the minds of the general public. Out of sight, out of mind, no media coverage on the continuing problems at this location will cause people to forget what has happened here in the last 10 years. The only ones who will know will be those of us that were involved with it, that were affected by it, and those memories will haunt some of us for the rest of our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Our veterans deserve better. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-15318187104323748482021-12-31T16:56:00.004-05:002021-12-31T23:15:55.433-05:002022 is going to be an even worse year<p> I can't wish you all a Happy New Year because I know what is in store for all of us. <br /><br />A lot has happened this past year. Between the stolen election, the total plandemic fiasco, the supply chain quagmire and now inflation going thru the roof, it has just been a miserable year.</p><p>And our veterans at our Vets home have suffered greatly being put in house arrest for months at a time without even having any due process. No visitors, no family, orders to stay in their rooms for weeks at a time except when they had to go to the shower room. </p><p>All for "their own good". Yeah, well the road to hell is paved with good intentions. </p><p>And despite its failure to properly follow the chosen model, for the new Michigan veterans homes, which are modeled after those in Tennessee, the state did manage to get 2 new homes completed. One in Chesterfield and one in Grand Rapids, right next to what remains of the old home. </p><p>The 3 part old home in Grand Rapids housed over 750 veterans. The 2 new homes will hold about 250, 1/3rd of what G.R. used to. And we still have the DJ Jacobetti home in Marquette. ok, so that's about 400 total, out of about 900 before. Big improvement in 5 years.. NOT! </p><p>Now we get to look forward to a year of hyperinflation. And a long drawn out election battle over election integrity, and the battle against the progressive policies that are slowly destroying our country from within.</p><p>We might see an end to some of it by years end. The new Michigan Veterans home at Grand Rapids might open up to regular visitors, along with the old home, The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Yes they call the 2 buildings different names. I just call it the Vets home, old and new. </p><p>Same lock downs, same problems, same restrictions, just different days. And some of the same old problem people still working at the home instead of being replaced by more qualified personnel that would do a much better job at taking care of our veterans. </p><p>Still, here is hoping that this plan demic will end, and the Vets Homes will open up to regular walk in visitors who want to help, donate to, and visit our veterans. In other words, going back to more normal circumstances.</p><p><br /></p><p>Update: Just learned that the state spent 8 million building the new GR home, and only 1/4th of it has been certified as livable by residents. 1 pod (living area) out of 4 passed inspection, the other 3 still need repairs and certification. </p><p>Overall population at the new and old homes in GR is less than 170 people with a staff of about 400 providing for them, and keeping the buildings and grounds kept up. WOW. At one time there were over 750 people living at the G.R. home.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-50054774412986535492021-12-24T23:19:00.004-05:002022-01-23T22:05:41.590-05:00Jeff has passed on, 2 down 1 to go - maybe; where is Ken? <p>For those who remember the "selling of untaxed smokes" fiasco at the Veterans home, 3 guys were told that the state prosecutors office under Bill Schuette was going to let the home deal with that situation. The home responded by expelling 3 veterans. And Bill Schuette ended up prosecuting them anyways. This is in part, why he was NOT elected as Governor. He failed miserably as Attorney General. </p><p><br /></p><p>Ken, Jeff, and Tony updates The 3 guys involved who only wanted to help fellow veterans.</p><p>This place was the only safe place Tony knew. He found a place which was a private ran apartment complex next to the VA hospital in Battle Creek, but they had no support services and the nearest grocery store was 7 miles away. The combined with lack of support from the VA, and their reducing his meds in huge steps instead of gradually reducing them, led him to drinking heavily to deal with his issues. They found him dead in his bed. 16 September 2018 which was 3 years ago. </p><p>I just found out one other person Jeff, who was living in an assisted living home near Greenville has also passed. Jeff passed away some time in October or November. Jeff liked to play mental games with people and I do not mean the good kind. Eventually everyone who tried to help him, gave up and he spent his last year with his fellow residents with no one to go check on him, or find out if he was doing ok. </p><p>Ken, who ended up somewhere on the East Side of Michigan up by Tawas or in that part of the state, has not been heard from in years. Last time we saw him, he was in bad shape a year after he left the home. We have reason to believe he passed away last year. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-72641940664761509652021-08-31T20:31:00.003-04:002021-09-01T12:15:19.066-04:00New Vets home has lots of Problems, Corruption seems to be the norm with this new home.<p>When the Michigan legislature decided to FINALLY do something about the problems plaguing the Grand Rapids home for veterans, they decided to build a model based upon the Tennessee veterans homes. Individual units of about 120 people. Scattered throughout the state, near the cities where veterans lived so they could be near their families. These homes were also ran as Non profit enterprises with lots of people volunteering at them, and making lots of donations. Veterans at these homes rarely went without.</p><p>But again Michigan is setting up its new model for failure.</p><p>These new homes are to be run as FOR PROFIT enterprises.. if you cannot pay, you cannot stay. And Michigan has over 600,000 veterans. </p><p>Also if you are a smoker, forget it. No smoking on the grounds, nor can you be a smoker at all. </p><p>And the new bureaucracy running this show is so messed up its not even funny. The board of directors or whatever its name is, allows the members to accept gifts. Talk about an open door to corruption.<br /><br />Also, it appears that the new home has the authority to ask anyone for donations, so they have informed the veterans organizations that they no longer need their help. Talk about saying F--K YOU! To those organizations who for years helped care for the vets. </p><p>The new GR home has a new name. Michigan Veterans Home Grand Rapids. So I guess they are going to run the 2 buildings as separate names and locations, right?</p><p>But after spending millions of dollars destroying an old growth forest, taking out trees that would take 100 years to replace, the new home has some serious issues.</p><p>One issue reported is the deck drains in the residents showers are too HIGH. And the showers cannot drain properly. OOPS! Flood the bathroom area, making it more dangerous for the resident. How much tax money is this going to cost taxpayers to correct?</p><p>The Gates in the Alzheimer's wing, that keeps them safe in a yard, got knocked down during the recent storm because some idiot bought cheap plastic hinges for it. If a strong wind can break it down, just think what a 250lb veteran with an attitude could do.. </p><p>I am told the rules established means the coffee served to the residents can only be so warm.. just a bit warmer than the ambient room temperature.. no more hot coffee or hot chocolate either.</p><p>So far there seems to be only 6 residents moved into the new place. So how long is it going to take to fill it up? With less than 150 in the older buildings, they shouldn't need another 4 months to fill the new one up. What is going on here? Where is the oversight? (none as usual).</p><p>Since the place is now Medicare/Medicaid compliant, its just a matter of time until some non veteran finds a money hungry lawyer and sues the place for discrimination. </p><p><br />And that is just some of the problems.</p><p>Also, Was informed today that the old home is once again in COV lockdown due to one staff member coming in and testing positive for COV19.</p><p>I don't know for sure, but it sure looks to me like they are turning the new "home" into something not a home at all, but a warehouse for people waiting to die. <br /><br />I wonder if they will allow the residents to even play bingo. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-1576987399784377472021-08-29T22:52:00.001-04:002021-08-29T22:52:42.593-04:00Grand Rapids Home for Veterans gets a new Administrator to replace Tracy. <p> GRH4V gets a new Administrator, but they are not calling it GRH4V in the article. They are calling it the MVHGR or Michigan Veterans Home Grand Rapids.. So are they going to change the signs outside to reflect this? Who knows.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://grbj.com/news/nonprofits/michigan-veteran-homes-hires-grand-rapids-administrator/" target="_blank">click here for the article</a><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-16968917387944460492021-08-19T21:44:00.002-04:002021-08-19T21:44:20.067-04:00Apparently corruption is a curse at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.<p> Wow, I just read this article. After years of financial abuse at the vets home under a previous administration, of which is still unresolved, we find that the construction of the "new home" has had its share of problems too. What is going on here? </p><p>Can't Michigan manage anything to do with Veterans without something being messed up? The new home is modeled after the Veterans homes in Tennessee, but those are non-profit. Michigan is going to run their "new vets homes" as a FOR PROFIT venture.. Meaning I believe they will continue to abuse veterans using the guardian/conservator program which in the past has systematically stripped a veteran of every penny, even at the expense of loved ones, such as wives and children. <br /><br />So it looks like the corruption is continuing. This is why I tell fellow veterans to avoid this place at all costs if they want to spend their last remaining days in peace. </p><p>https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/gr-home-for-veterans-contractor-pays-workers-26k-in-back-wages-after-investigation/69-62b36382-df4f-4e94-89b8-debcb471784a</p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-43123254541040716302021-07-04T11:26:00.002-04:002021-07-04T11:26:36.367-04:00Bike ride around the new home, thru the Grotto and over the old railway.<p> Went by the vets home the other day and took a bike tour around the new buildings and shot some video coverage of the ride. Also down into the grotto and out the train track path.<br /><br />Nice view of Riverside park from the west walkway overlooking Monroe avenue. <br /><br />The grotto is not used much now, mostly because of the recent construction AND the continued COV lock down. <br /><br />If any staff people at the home are reading this: <br />The Train rail path that goes over Laberton Creek connecting the duck pond and the lower grotto creek, needs to be TRIMMED UP and maintained! I had to ride in the grass because of all the vines growing on the fence that were so thick, I could not stay on the path. <br /><br />The Vets memorial that used to be down at the Marine Recruiting office farther down Monroe, is now sitting where the old Commandant house used to be. But that path and area needs better maintenance done on it as well. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXczGJ0kE4" target="_blank">Here is the link to the bike ride along the new home.</a><br /><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-71962612386439798932021-07-01T14:54:00.001-04:002021-07-01T14:54:12.470-04:00HUH? Are you serious? <p> Rode over to the Vets home today to try to talk to a few guys. <br />One of the security guys came out and informed me that he asked about visitors. <br /><br />Now recently due to the changes in Michigan's backwards lockdown for COV, the home has been in high lock down, but I figured I could swing buy and stop and visit outside, keeping a distance from them yet be close enough to have a conversation. About 6 to 10 feet away. Now I have had my shots, so I am not worried. <br /><br />However, the current policy is they want you to call in, schedule the visit, go in and get tested, then if ok, go to a specific area to have your visit. You cannot just pull up to the main entrance and stop and chat with the guys there.</p><p>Now I find this ironic since I just learned that Dom Unit's ride to the local Stores, is about to begin again.</p><p>Previously 1 time a week, one of the buss's would take a group to Meijers or Walmart for a shopping trip. These trips were put on hold during the COV lockdown.</p><p>So these folks will go to an area, where they will be exposed to who knows how many people who have not gotten their shots, who may be sick. Then return to the home, possibly carrying God knows what with them. Yet the home still will not let the general public come to the entrance for a simple visit outside.<br /><br />Might as well let them do so, because by allowing residents to go to Meijers, you are in effect opening the whole home to the rest of the world. </p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-65990092619006257842021-06-18T23:03:00.003-04:002021-06-18T23:03:42.490-04:00Even the Wild life is taking a look at the new GRH4V <p> Was on a bike ride 17 June, when I took a spin around the Vets home. Look what I found.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSq8nSRd1q7El8yj1t_ZBDdN6Xr7yTiGCSmHsOSynzmae0weNO6PDBYdIHJBLCC-JD_mOxuQaUCFqH8_bnUui9Gsk43xd0rKZbJJBdorp82fV8LCR9CB4RTBNH7OXFFxhvnexBKdt0w/s1047/wild+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSq8nSRd1q7El8yj1t_ZBDdN6Xr7yTiGCSmHsOSynzmae0weNO6PDBYdIHJBLCC-JD_mOxuQaUCFqH8_bnUui9Gsk43xd0rKZbJJBdorp82fV8LCR9CB4RTBNH7OXFFxhvnexBKdt0w/s320/wild+turkey.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-47178940111629190802021-06-15T15:45:00.002-04:002021-06-15T15:45:12.372-04:00It is all but done! Wow. <p>Today I rode my bike over to the Vets home. That new place looks sharp. But there is no short cut thru the building that you can take a bike thru! So its go all the way around it. Still it looks nice. The duck pond area has low water, as does the Grand River. You can tell we are in a drought here when looking at them. <br /><br />Did not see any of the Dom guys out and about, but did see several veterans being pushed in wheel chairs around the new buildings. Glad to see they were getting fresh air. Talked to one of the security guys. They said some of the volunteers are now returning and they think soon visitors will be allowed again as well. <br /><br /><br />So, in my last post I promised you some pictures when I finally got down there. Here they are. Enjoy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ypvMJj_D3VopIShpg0TPauvaKNscMIcvkwa0ifo6nUjYHKn-dpkeMrwaIrO8SWqvJmoRPVqWozGHL7EtqSoUkS9qf7v56E0xl32v3insdyMWM9Jw0rW7Xlm2YegS6mTXcqHZ7sXvDQ/s2048/20210615_100830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ypvMJj_D3VopIShpg0TPauvaKNscMIcvkwa0ifo6nUjYHKn-dpkeMrwaIrO8SWqvJmoRPVqWozGHL7EtqSoUkS9qf7v56E0xl32v3insdyMWM9Jw0rW7Xlm2YegS6mTXcqHZ7sXvDQ/s320/20210615_100830.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRpfhpFyU1kvx4HpsDzfnRalfaZbq3uyTZ1HlaKBebeJqNi9rt2NCHrtKZDG9ncT-Czyf8YGJQK52kDmcOSt89srlNYO236EZ_wzLabxiUKprs_E3jrm2pPs303LC9Cz8V5FlyaUYEA/s2048/20210615_100920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRpfhpFyU1kvx4HpsDzfnRalfaZbq3uyTZ1HlaKBebeJqNi9rt2NCHrtKZDG9ncT-Czyf8YGJQK52kDmcOSt89srlNYO236EZ_wzLabxiUKprs_E3jrm2pPs303LC9Cz8V5FlyaUYEA/s320/20210615_100920.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80P1vk3LxRq5xsU0wKuXtMBmXC90iwR41Z9bLT_1niDkwqf7cDX6_7qZJjwrFG062lK32nQObWzhFraWg_6KH_NHkpH2UPC2hgDEvGN0Y9bu_Md7z-5jv7rP5b6Qj8lHbXiKzIUVtkQ/s2048/20210615_102233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80P1vk3LxRq5xsU0wKuXtMBmXC90iwR41Z9bLT_1niDkwqf7cDX6_7qZJjwrFG062lK32nQObWzhFraWg_6KH_NHkpH2UPC2hgDEvGN0Y9bu_Md7z-5jv7rP5b6Qj8lHbXiKzIUVtkQ/s320/20210615_102233.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYQu6w_scY9Pyg29FTnQP2vTuTzk1VwFJS7icquYJP1FceC7_Hjx35BR8qKn0GUXPpzWgrL13eHW8Wzl24e0p7_xB5Hs7jFM3iLQQKQ4qtp24O6UhT2Y0S4kNhiQdDukycAC8-LYLcg/s2048/20210615_103412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYQu6w_scY9Pyg29FTnQP2vTuTzk1VwFJS7icquYJP1FceC7_Hjx35BR8qKn0GUXPpzWgrL13eHW8Wzl24e0p7_xB5Hs7jFM3iLQQKQ4qtp24O6UhT2Y0S4kNhiQdDukycAC8-LYLcg/s320/20210615_103412.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPvB52eo38BCLPGAzDL0_0NWd3vrzK8v3IC6-U9yce1SpMcA7FfSk3C3wo2HBoER1hGjkYdHBwpUDFvMdLOKDbJtddHNfbOlzJUKm2vvDH6lmg2_8-aHhbtuAkZiiU8J_CFbYTTYb3Q/s2048/20210615_103517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPvB52eo38BCLPGAzDL0_0NWd3vrzK8v3IC6-U9yce1SpMcA7FfSk3C3wo2HBoER1hGjkYdHBwpUDFvMdLOKDbJtddHNfbOlzJUKm2vvDH6lmg2_8-aHhbtuAkZiiU8J_CFbYTTYb3Q/s320/20210615_103517.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-77206549739940725192021-06-02T20:30:00.001-04:002021-06-02T20:30:45.511-04:00We are still here, but been busy lately. <p> Wow, May has just flew by. Been very busy here. Got a lot done this month. The weather is looking good for the next week, and I am planning on spending some time near it on a bike ride. Will take my camera and video gear. </p><p>The guys still have it ruff. The can go outside but have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire to do so. They are still pretty much locked down and no visitors are allowed yet. Some volunteers are back, but not many.</p><p>So in a few days I will post some updated pictures.. </p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-85041764834641379852021-04-18T14:46:00.006-04:002021-04-18T14:46:57.144-04:00Good Bye Tracy, you will be missed.<p>Tracy, the administer of the Grand Rapids home for veterans, has announced her intent to resign as of 30 July 2021. </p><p>Tracy and Hubby have decided to retire in North Carolina and will be selling their home here in Michigan. </p><p>Since the awful days of the Dunne administration the GRHFV home has gone thru a number of administrators, with Tracy being the latest one and the most popular among the residents, staff, visitors and volunteers since then. </p><p>She went out of her way to help the veterans feel at home at the place which has been undergoing constant changes due to the building of the new home and lately the COV-19 pandemic and how it has had an effect on the residents there. </p><p>The new home is scheduled to open soon, and some residents may be transferring to the new home within the next few months. </p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-46447114914570346232021-04-03T21:16:00.001-04:002021-04-03T21:16:19.617-04:00First of 5, "New Model" Veterans homes ran by the State of Michigan has opened. <p>The First of the new Michigan veterans homes has opened in Chesterfield! </p><p>This is one of 5 new homes, which will be the new model of caring for our veterans locally instead of piling them up in 2 locations, Grand Rapids and Marquette. </p><p>Here is the link to the article about it.</p><p><a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/04/02/metro-detroits-first-veterans-home-opens-in-chesterfield-township/">Chesterfield article click here</a></p><p>Malcomb Daily news has an article too, but you need a subscription to see it, so I won't post the link.</p><p>The new Grand Rapids home is due to open soon. Then the board of directors will begin searching for a good location for one of the other homes and get that one started being built.</p><p>The new model allows veterans to stay in the area of the state where they originally lived, making it easier for family to visit and allowing the state to draw on more diversified local resources. </p><p>The only problem I see with these new homes is they are being ran as a for profit business and not as a non profit business, designated for caring for our Veterans. </p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-76634599502218778422021-03-03T07:09:00.003-05:002021-03-03T07:09:15.424-05:00I said it last year: Its like putting people under house arrest without a warrant.<p>Very interesting article about Tony, on the WZZM site. And yes, he is not the only one that feels this way. I said it last year. Imposing strict isolation rules on these people is like putting them in prison without a trial. <br /><br />This is just wrong. Our leadership has failed us again. But, having resided at that home in the past, I find it the same ole song and dance. Not much has changed. It felt like we were in prison under Sara Dunne's administration too. </p><p> https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-north/like-being-in-jail-isolation-amid-pandemic-takes-its-toll-on-grand-rapids-veteran/69-a13d52a7-a172-4a44-9d0c-7d3b425daa3c</p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-25308236140819989462021-02-22T18:50:00.001-05:002021-02-22T18:50:02.924-05:00I thought Thornbery lost her licence?<p> Sorry that I don't have much news about the home. This cold spell we have had this month has kept me at home. That and I have a car repair that needs done ASAP so I am trying to not have to drive anywhere if I do not have to. So I have been unable to swing by the Home and check on things. If we get that next stimulus package, it will fund the car repairs. I need new shocks/struts. They are 75 bucks each plus labor and then I need a 4 wheel alignment. Figure about 700 all said and done. <br /></p><p>So, I was a bit shocked when a friend called me. Said someone contacted them about Cynthia Thornbery being appointed conservator and guardian of a relative. <br /><br />Thornbery is partially responsible for some of the early deaths of our veterans at that home. As far as I am concerned, she and Michigan Judge David Murkowski should be held as accessories to murder for those deaths. </p><p>Rumer's a few years ago had Thornbery under investigation for over charging clients and the result was she lost her license. Apparently that is not true. Sure do feel sorry for anyone who gets that thing imposed on them as a guardian or a conservator.</p><p>Back in 2012, when the state legislature was investigating the home for corruption under the Sara Dunne administration the legislature then said Michigan's conservatorship laws were archaic and needed a major overhaul. A decade later we are still waiting. <br /><br /></p><p>This is our do nothing legislature. And why our vets are still suffering. Shameful that we have over 600 thousand veterans in this state, and we can't even properly care for less than 500 of them.</p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-19709799001672976082020-12-24T18:43:00.009-05:002020-12-24T18:48:21.144-05:00Message from blog author.<p> I was going to wish everyone a merry or happy Christmas. But this year, I cannot bring myself to do it. </p><p>For the first time in my 50+ years, I just feel that the words would be empty. We have all been thru a very, very hard year. </p><p>My 2 years at the GR Vets home was bad enough a decade ago. But what the current residents have been forced to endure is beyond mere words. Had I been there, I would have gone insane, or would have left to live on the street rather than be in room restriction via unconstitutional house arrest due to the politics that are still ruining what should be one of jewels in Michigan's Crown, making us stand out from the other 49 states. </p><p>The location of the new style of home, is a disaster that destroyed old growth trees that made the grounds a nice place to take a walk. That small forest is now gone, just like Michigan's white pine trees.</p><p>The politics of the place is still wrong. Tracy, the current director is doing as she was hired to do, but its difficult when the MVAA and people within our government insist on micromanaging the place. They refuse to run it as a non profit, and instead run it as a for profit venture on the backs of disabled veterans and taxpayers. </p><p>600 thousand veterans in Michigan and we the people can't even properly care for less than 400 of those who need care the most, at our 2 current locations. The 3rd location will be ready about the time the new GR Home will be finished, but that will mean about 400 total, out of what was nearly 1,000 between the Home in Marquette and the GR home, when I was there a decade ago. </p><p>2020 has also been a year of major change. Isolation, the way we work, the way we go about our lives, everything has been affected by the COV19 virus epidemic. Poor leadership, constant conflicting information, Mass Media sources exerting censorship over peoples conversations on social media, news media that is clearly biased and with an agenda that is not necessarily that of the people of our once great nation, all have taken its toll on us this year. </p><p>Even our election process of one person, one vote, came under attack this year, with the 2020 election filled with hundreds of cases of events which have resulted in the election results not being able to be properly verified. From out right voter fraud, illegals voting, people voting twice, state workers not following their state laws on the handling of votes, the mail in vote fiasco, and election observers not being allowed to attend and witness the vote counting, and the question of the accuracy and validity of the Dominion vote counting machines themselves, have made the 2020 election the worst mess in our nations history. Tens of thousands of voters in all 50 states now are left wondering if voting even matters any more?</p><p>And then there is the medical toll this took on so many of us. Hospitals and clinic's both private and public, limited their services to the point where needed procedures were put on hold, and people's heal deteriorated until it became critical, and only then would they be seen and given proper medical attention. </p><p>That is what happened to me. I was having problems in February and our local VA doctors took 9 months to figure out they could not help me and they sent me to Outside Medical people (Spectrum health) after I ended up calling the ambulance and spending a week in hospital. Non VA medical has done more for me in the last 60 days than the VA has done in the last 24 months. <br /><br />Add to that the stress of being forced to relocate during the middle of the economic shut down, unlawfully imposed by our state Governor, added too much stress to my situation, making it worse. At a time when landlords could not evict for failure to pay rent, (I paid mine on time for 6 years at that location) they decided not to renew my lease. It was difficult to find a new place when everyone was working from home and not at the office. What should have taken 30 days took 3 months. But I did find a place and am relocated. But it took its toll on my health. <br /><br />It's gone too far. All this pushed me over the edge so to say. I finally admitted to myself that I am now on the down hill run to making the crossing to the next reality. It may not happen anytime soon, but it will happen sooner than later. And I need to start getting ready for it. Writing a Will, and instructions. Looking at future living locations when my health really starts to fail and I am no longer able to do even the basic things. None of this is pleasant. <br /><br />And like some of you, I too lost family this year to COV19 complications. 2 close relatives caught it and never recovered. Other extended family members have it or got it and when thru it this year. <br /><br />And finally after all that draconian lockdown stuff imposed on our veterans at the GR home, we find that after Thanksgiving, a big wave of COV19 hit the place and we lost 12 people, with many more new cases being reported including friends who are still there. <br /><br />So I cannot wish anyone a happy or merry Christmas. It just doesn't feel like Christmas this year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-40449918740738741392020-12-16T20:36:00.001-05:002020-12-16T20:36:04.153-05:0012 deaths from COV19 exposure at the GR Vets home.. <p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: proximanova, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">A dozen veterans have died from COVID-19 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, with half of the deaths reported over the last few days.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: proximanova, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: proximanova, sans-serif;">https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/covid-19-cases-surge-at-veterans-home-including-a-dozen-deaths/69-c5444b20-ed03-4bc3-9048-281da66d15b7</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: proximanova, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729134734350339898.post-63063475515737001712020-12-10T20:11:00.001-05:002020-12-10T20:11:09.490-05:00COV 19 runs thru Vets home<p> <span style="font-family: inherit;">All the local news media are reporting this. <br /><br />Seems that <span style="background-color: white;">Forty-five residents tested positive between Nov. 27 and Thursday, Fred Schaible of the Michigan Veterans Facilities Board of Managers confirmed to News 8. He added the first two people who tested positive were being released from isolation Thursday.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sixteen staff members have also tested positive since Nov. 27.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The home recorded its first case in a resident in late April. Archived reports online show that before Nov. 27, it had seen a total of 25 cases among residents all year.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">45 Residents represents nearly 50 percent of the current population. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">So it seems to me that the </span>draconian<span style="font-family: inherit;"> lock down procedures, basically putting residents under house arrest without giving them due process, was a total waste. <br /><br />I don't know. I just want things to get back to normal so we can go visit friends, and so volunteers can go help our vets. <br /><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: lora, georgia, times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: lora, georgia, times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>Angry Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120033718936557520noreply@blogger.com0