County office asks for assistance
Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Washington County Veteran Services officer, Wayne Haines, said he has seen a 50 percent increase in demand for his services from when he started four years ago.
Haines ’ office serves as the clearinghouse for veterans in search of assistance.
“ There’s one of me for each county in Arkansas, ” Haines explained to the committee.
Veterans visit his office to apply for service-connected and non-service-connected benefits, he said. He helps them obtain GI Bill, health and educational benefits.
There are more Vietnam War veterans going to see him as they enter their 60 s and experience diseases — such as diabetes and prostate cancer — that have been linked to Agent Orange, a herbicide used by the U. S. military during the war, Haines said.
He also said he is being visited by more veterans from the more recent Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
There are 17 to 20 people visiting the office on a busy day, he said, and 10 to 15 visiting it on an average day. There are 30 to 35 phone calls per day, he said.
That is why he asked the Washington County Personnel Committee for help Tuesday night.
The committee, acting on a motion by Justice of the Peace Micah Neal, agreed with Haines to upgrade a part-time position in his office to full time. The committee’s recommendation will go to the full Quorum Court but must first be approved by the Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee will have to suspend budget controls to pay for the position. New positions are only considered in October, with the exception of grant funds, unless the committee suspends budget controls.
The part-time secretary in the office helps veterans when they call or stop by.
This person is averaging 32-35 hours per week managing the workload, exceeding the time worked by most of the other part-time county employees, Haines noted in his request to the Personnel Committee.
The new full-time position will be titled secretary / receptionist for Veteran Services.
“ The person serving in this position would be able to assist those coming in the office as well as being able to assist me, ” Haines stated in his written request.
With the part-time salary money being applied, the cost increase should not be significant, Haines said.
Personnel Committee Chairman JP Ken Kieklak said everybody can “ appreciate and understand ” why more veterans are coming forward, which is why budget rules can be suspended.
Haines also told the committee that he wants to open a satellite office that would be available once a week to veterans in the Prairie Grove and Lincoln areas.
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