Escambia County Commission tries to cut only veterans officer

This has to be the king of "What the hell are they thinking" award for the week!

Cuts could slice vet aid
Commissioners consider reinstating funds for Veterans Affairs officer
Jamie Page • jpage@pnj.com • July 7, 2008


Charles T. Maddux of Milton, a U.S. Navy veteran of three wars, recently went to the Veterans Affairs office in Pensacola to check into getting hearing aids.

The big guns and explosions of battle in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars took a toll on the retired chief’s hearing.

Assisting him that day was Veterans Affairs officer Jerry White, and when White took a look at Maddux’s medical records, he told him: “Your hearing loss is the least of your problems.”

Maddux, 82, who served for 28 years, now receives 100 percent disability benefits thanks to hours of work by White. Maddux had been getting only 10 percent disability benefits, though he was unable to leave his house for employment.

White assists 40 to 50 local veterans a week. He works 24 hours a week.
However, the Escambia County Commission cut from next year’s budget the $15,000 that funds White’s position.

While there are a number of state Veterans Affairs officers to handle benefits in Escambia County, White is the only one who represents the county.

Veterans have complained about the potential loss of White, prompting the commission to reconsider the cut on July 17.

“If I had further needs, I would not know who to contact, and I get the opinion that there is no one else that does what he does,” Maddux wrote in a letter to commissioners. “I don’t know what I would do, and I don’t know what any other service man would do.”
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