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.

Vets home returns to policy of curbing Dorm Unit Vets.

Less than a year since the nightmare of the Sara Dunne administration was stopped and she was removed, a new nightmare faces some residents of the veterans home.They are once again kicking veterans to the street, or "curbing" them.

The former Administration was replaced with not 1 but a unknown number of upper management people. We know both veterans homes have a Daily Operations Officer, and one Chief operations officer, Leslie Shanlain. There now appears to be 1 or more vice presidents or something like that too.

Well under Sara Dunn there was 150 guys and gals in Dorm unit.. when she left there was about 45 left. Now the home is kicking people out again.. this time in an underhanded sneaky way. And its angering a LOT of people.

In this case, one of the residents had a medical condition develop which required him to be temporarily transferred to a nursing unit.

While there they messed up his medication and almost killed him. Then they got it corrected and hes fine now.. but they are telling him he no longer qualified to return to the dorm unit where all his stuff STILL IS.. and have given him until the end of the month to move out of the home.

Grand Rapids is in a housing crisis now, due to the so called good economy here. And there is no law against discriminating against low income people, including disabled vets.

It takes 3 to 6 months to get paperwork thru the system to get a HUD VASH voucher for housing assistance for a veteran  - not 2 or even 3 weeks.

And now we are informed that in case mentioned here,  a new policy that went into effect at the start of the year is why they are claiming that the resident cannot return to the Dorm unit.. which I think is BULLSH*T.  They told him the move was temporary, not permanent, and implied he would be returning to Dorm unit, not being kicked to the curb

This is not good. This individual already paid his cost of care this month and has no money to move with. They waited to inform him until AFTER he paid his monthly cost of care. Now they want him to move out by the end of the month. HOW? They took all his money but 100 bucks.. Do they think he can move on 100 dollars??! Are they that insane?  They must be.

Basically they are getting rid of another Dorm unit Veteran using some stupid excuse or reason to do so.

This is supposed to be a HOME for veterans, not a place to abuse them.. What they are doing to this guy is nothing but abuse. And its a return to old policies that are NOT in best interests of the Veterans.

The new administration is just as bad as the old, and costs taxpayers of Michigan even more money than before.

Nothing has changed. Except the names and the faces that go with them.

Board of Managers creates another conflict of Interest - Ombudsman?

Getting reports that the board of managers has once again created a conflict of interest with one of its members.

Like him or not, Lino Pretto apparently has been voted to be an Ombudsman for Rankin 2 and 3, the Dorm Unit.  How can Pretto, represent the needs of the veterans, while at the same time hes representing the Governor as a member of the board?

For years the veterans at the home have been asking for an independent ombudsman to represent them. Someone who is NOT already representing the government or its administration.

While some of the people on the Dom may talk to Pretto, most have told me they would not as they cannot trust that what they say will remain private and held in confidence.

Many still fear being targeted for discharge, if they speak up and voice their concerns or opinions. Doing this to a member of the board, is just not an option to them.

Pretto may be a better liaison person, acting as a go between, between the Vets and the board, but there is no way he can function as an independent Ombudsman with the veterans needs being his first priority.

Millions wasted on new awning that will NOT do what it is supposed to do.

1.1 million dollars, plus cost overruns and other charges, for this:

 At least that is what it is SUPPOSED to look like. But why bother? What is the reason for wasting 1.1 million dollars plus on a new awning that does not address the problem of why they were replacing it in the first place!

The idea here, was to create an area, where buses and ambulances could come and load and unload their passengers, with little interference from the weather. Meaning RAIN, SNOW, WIND.

Guess what folks? The last one did not work, and neither will this one.

Look at this picture to the left. Look at the arrows, This is where the wind will come in and wrap around the building and any bus or ambulance that is parked there and blow snow and ice and rain. This the exact same situation we had before. Nothing has changed, except this new awning SHOULD look better than the old one.

Is it worth 1.1 million to replace the old one? Or is this just another way to skim more money off of the veterans or the system that is supposed to be helping them?