Putnam Commission Chair Wants To Improve Access To Veteran Services

Putnam County Commission Chair Mike Atwood said he wants to explore more funding in the county’s budget for veteran services.

Atwood said the county currently employs two service officers. Atwood said there are times when their availability is limited.

“I just think there is some things that we can do to improve the service,” Atwood said. “Both gentlemen now who our service officers certainly agree, because they are working as hard as they can and trying to take care of our veterans.”

Atwood said additional personnel, more phone lines or some type of answering system are solutions he wants explored. Atwood said the items would need to be included in future budget committee meetings.

“It’s got to go through the budget process,” Atwood said. “If personnel are added or in any way there is an increase in what we spend last year that’s new, it’s got to go through the budget committee.”

The county’s archives, the Veteran’s Museum and services are all set to be housed in one facility along Highway 70. Atwood said phone access can be limited at times for all three, so considering a new phone system for the new building could be an option.

“In order to solve, I think it’s important that the veterans have access to the services that they are entitled to,” Atwood said. “So just some discussion on how we might solve that problem is how it began, and at this point, we are still in the process of trying to determine what that might be.”