Veterans office move a mistake

To the Editor:

As you probably are aware, there is considerable concern being raised about the relocation of our County Veterans Service Office in Ukiah.

On Jan. 30, I had the opportunity to visit the Ukiah VSO office at its recently relocated location. My wife accompanied me as I am in a wheel chair.

I had been receiving negative reports from others, but I felt I needed to visit the site myself before passing judgment .

My initial impression, from outside the front doors, was that it didn't seem so bad. But then we entered and were invited to see the office space inside. I have to say, that was the beginning of a very bad experience.

The reception area is cold and uninviting. This is where one would have to sit while waiting to see a VSO specialist.

The central glass enclosed garden with fountain is befitting of the lobby of a hospital, but not the waiting room for a VSO office.

After wheeling down the corridor past two restrooms, we were shown into one of the VSO specialist's office. The office itself couldn't be more than 8 ft by 10 ft. In order to get my wheelchair in and in position in front of the VSOs desk we had to remove one of the chairs that was there and put it out in the corridor. The office space had no windows and just the one door. Frankly it looked like it must have been a storage room previously. It was like being in a cell or cave. There was also some background noise which the VSO specialist explained was “white noise” piped in to help cover conversation from being over heard in adjacent rooms or the corridor if the door was left ajar (which was the only way to allow outside air in and keep from feeling trapped in a cave). My wife, who herself suffers from some PTSD issues, was triggered by the whole setting and, after a few minutes, had to quickly exit the room, leaving me without locomotion. The VSO specialist had to wheel me out to the car. My wife will never go back in.

I understand the county is trying to economize (which as a taxpayer I applaud ), however, I believe this particular move was a mistake. I suspect that some well meaning employee, who was tasked with moving the Air quality Management District Office out of their leased office space, came up with this plan without any knowledge about what goes on in the VSO office or the needs of the Veterans who the office serves ( including vets with handicaps and PTSD issues).

I am sorry, but this new location, in my estimation , is unacceptable. I would appreciate you , or the appropriate department head who is responsible for this action, answering the following questions:

What was the rational for this move? How many employees work in The Air Quality Management office, and how many of them require space to sit regularly with clients in a confidential setting? Why was the VSO Officer not involved in the consideration and planning for this move? What other options were considered? Why were no veterans or veterans organizations consulted for input?

The simplest solution at this point would be to find other space for the Air Quality Management (AQM) office and move the VSO back where they were. Actually, I think the AQM office might be more suited to the space you moved the veterans to in the old hospital site. (Office space for activities that don't require regular meeting with clients in a safe, comfortable, and confidential setting).

Ms. Antle, please understand , I am not trying to be a “rabble rouser”. I am writing with all due respect for the difficult job you have in overseeing the administration of our county. It just seems to me there could be a better solution to this particular problem.

— Ralph Paulin, Veteran, Potter Valley

Editor's note: The county has since reversed itself on this move.

Well done

To the Editor:

I would like to applaud the Board of Supervisors for reversing their decision to move the Veteran Service Office. They voted yesterday to move the office back to their house on Observatory Ave. This decision is a very positive move for the Veterans of this county. Members of the Board, Thank you.

— Carl Stenberg, Mendocino County Veterans Service Officer. ret, Ukiah