Veterans worth better

The state of Arkansas has a home for elderly and disabled veterans in Little Rock that is unsafe and unsanitary. I believe the best thing to do for the residents of this home is to close it.

My first visit to the state-operated Little Rock home was in late 2011. I made many observations that day. One was how dangerous it was, in my opinion, to have a multilevel facility that housed veterans, many of whom were frail and in wheelchairs. What would happen in case of a fire?

My visit with the hardworking maintenance staff there convinced me that this was a facility held together with baling wire and duct tape.

There are those who say the Little Rock home should be left open and that the veterans there should not be moved. Even if a decision were made to do a rehabilitation of the home, as some suggest, those living there would still have to be moved due to the massive amount of work to be done. The initial cost estimates appear to be daunting for such a massive rehabilitation, and our veterans would still be in a facility with much to be desired.

Our veterans are worthy. Let’s give them leadership that is worthy of their service and sacrifice. Let’s think big and bold and give them a facility that we can all be proud of.

We can do it, if we will just care enough. And I believe the people of Arkansas care enough. JOHN CHARLES EDWARDS

Little Rock State Rep. John Charles Edwards represents House District 38.