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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Veterans ServicesGrant County Commissioners I am confused. I was under the illusion that the Veterans Advisory Board was to advise the commissioners on positions presented to the board. When we raise an issue and offer advice, it would be acted upon. I have been told that the Commissioners have put off a decision on the appointment until the 8th of September, which the Advisory Board overwhelmingly voted no on. I believe the Commissioners are playing with fire with this recommendation. NOT a Threat, but I got the feeling. that the people who voted not to place the individual, on the board either could not or would not worl<with the individual. So much so that I could see a mass exodus from the VAB. Additionally, I remember that when asked for numbers of clients served and income brought into the County, that individual refused to comply with the request. If memory serves me correctly, that was a major reason for shutting down the Wheeler office in favor of our current VSO's. Tony and Trevor. I am absolutely baffled to hear that He is being considered for a place on the VAB. I agree that VFW Post 24 needs a rep, and we could fix that situation by suggesting that 24 put Robert Grutco in that seat and have 209 replace him on the VAB. Please keep in mind that the vote was 7 No's and 2 Yes votes for the individual, and I did not vote as the Chair of the Board. PLEASE give careful consideration to this appointment, as all the members WANT to work for Veterans and keep this Board moving forward. Jim Brakebilt VAB Chair Grant County Commissioner's, This isinreference tothe open position onthe Veteran's Advisory Board. The open position is the representative for VFW Post 24. There is currently only one application for this position. The current board members have voted tonot endorse the individual who has applied. Heisnot someone who would beagood fit for the board. Heiscontroversial and doesn't get along with others in general. He is biased to only certain veteran's who have served during the Vietnam War and \snot helpful toany other veteron's. He has caused many problems in the past with organizations and situations that he has been associated with. |twould be a grave detriment tothe board bohave this individual associated inany way with us. We currently have avery cohesive group ofindividuals onthe board who are working diligently tosupport and assist veteran 's|nour advisory capacity. Sincerely, ThornasMoncrkef ` Member, Grant County Veteran's Advisory Board TornMomcrief Owner/Broker Clear Choice Realty lO75)Basin 8TS\V POBox 2-49 Ephrata, WA 98823 50()-`q8-7100 cell -)09-754-2179 office The Clear Choice for Real Estate To: Commissioner Kevin Burgess Commissioner Rob Jones Commissioner Cindy Carter From: Gary ABracht 3858 Road 6 NW Ephrata WA 98823 September 9, 2026 �� RECEIVED fir? 1 0 2026 Subject: Vacancy on Grant County Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Dear Commissioners: As a past -member of the VAB for almost 10 years, I have come to know a number of veterans in the Grant County community. During that tenure I have had multiple interactions with Mr. Fil Riveria while he served as a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) as well as a member of the VAB and a visiting veteran to a number of the VAB meetings. I respectfully request that the Commissioners not approve his appointment to the VAB. I firmly believe how Mr. Riveria's VVA VSO office was closed will taint Mr. Riveria's objectivity into the future for serving the veteran service members of Grant County. I also believe and have personally experienced Mr. Riveria's unwillingness to collaborate towards the common good in managing the Veterans Assistance Fund. I believe that he will become a disruptive member during regular board meetings and will cause friction not only among VAB board members but also with county employees. I recognize filling open positions on the VAB is a challenging and constant problem. Mr. Riveria, in my opinion, will not better the board and will more than likely bring significant disfunction to the board. 1 feel very strongly that the board's mission was to provide advice and support to the veterans of Grant County and make the commissioners mindful of the needs of the veteran community. I do not believe appointing Mr. Riveria to the VAB will furtherthose mission objectives. Respectfully submitted, Gary Bracht To: Board of County Commissioners 35 C street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 September 6, 2026 Dear County Commissioners My name is Rick Garces. and I serve on the Grant County Veterans Advisory Board. This letter is regarding the nomination of Phil Rivera, VFW Post 24, to serve on the Veterans Advisory board. I strongly discourage the commissioners from appointing Mr. Rivera to this board. I believe his nomination and possible appointment would have a negative impact which could have a detrimental effect on the board as a whole, This is no mere personality conflict between myself and other board members and Mr. Rivera. Since I had my first interaction with Mr. Rivera, it became clear to me how he seems to only be out to help Veterans from his era, him being a Vietnam Veteran, instead of assisting all Veterans, no matter age, gender, or conflict in which he or she served. Please allow me to elaborate and share my story of my interaction with Mr. Rivera, which took place in 2020. 1 served in the US Army from 1996 to 2019. 1 deployed to Iraq twice, the first time being back in 2003, then again in 2009. No doubt I carry emotional and mental scars from my time during my deployments. For almost 18 years, I buried those scars until they became too much to bear. One evening, I found myself cowered on my living room floor, shaking and weeping uncontrollably. Not knowing where to turn, I called a few of my close friends who talked me through the night and kept me from doing the unthinkable. I was given a few different phone numbers and resources pointing me in the right direction. Finally, I started feeling a sliver of hope. One of the phone numbers I was given, was Phil's. I was told he would be able to assist me better since he lived closer to me. I called Phil, and was immediately appalled at how Phil conducted himself. After I introduced myself and explained to him why I was calling, his next words are on repeat in my mind. There was no compassion or empathy, no sincerity in his voice, only the words "sorry, I can't help you". When he hung up on me without so much as a goodbye or even giving me other phone numbers and contacts I could reach out to. He simply and callously told me he couldn't help me and hung up on me. From that moment on, I vowed to never have another interaction with Mr. Rivera. Unfortunately, my story is just one of many from other Veterans across Grant County. In rooms where Phil's name is mentioned, people also share their stories about how they were treated by Phil, when he was supposed to be in a position to help Veterans, he repeatedly failed to do so. Again, I urge you to rethink any decision you have made to appoint Phil to this board. As a board, our sole mission is to assist any and ALL local indigent Veterans, not just a select portion of them as Phil has done in the past. Thank you for y Rick Garces Veterans Advisory Board me r Subject; Veterans Advisory Board Appointment ® Phit Rivera Dear.Cou nty Comm issioners, I am writing regarding the potential appointment of Phil Rivera to the Veterans Advisory Board and to provide a dditione I context regarding my vote opposing his membership, My vote was not personal, norwas it made tightly. Asa member of the Veterans Advisory Board, I believe we have a responsibiLity to consider whether prospective members will represent the interests of all veterans in our county, regardless of ere of service, age, branch, or individual circumstances. Based on my observations and experience, I have concerns regarding Mr. Rivera"s demonstrated Level of interest in veterans outside of the Vietnam -era community. Vietnam veterans are an incredibly important part of ourveteran population and deserve our continued respect, advocacy, and support. At the same time, the mission of the' eterans Advisory Board requires us to represent veterans from every generation from Vietnam -era veterans to those who served in the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recent periods of service, as well as thei r fa m. i L! es I aLso have concerns regarding Mr. Rivera's historywithin the county and his association with past issues involving the Veterans Assistance Fund. Given the importance of public trust, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources intended forveterans in need, I believe that historyis relevant when considering an appointmentto this board. Ultimately, rnyvote reflected what I believe is in the best 'Interest of the board and the veterans we serve. I would respect -fully ask the Comm issioners to give appropriate weight to the recommendation a nd vote of the Veterans Advisory Board. We are the individuals actively serving in this capacity, workingwith veterans and community partners, and carrying out the board's mission. When the board considers a prospective member and determines that an appointment is not in its best interest, I believe that decision deserves meaningful consideration and respect from the Commissioners. OurVeterans Advisory Board is already one of the Larger advisory boards in the state. Mr. Rivera's absencefrom the board wilL not negatively affect our abiLityto function, achieve ourgoaLs, or provide consistent and quality assistance to veterans throughout the county. This is not about excluding an individual. It is about maintaining a board whose membership reflects the values, accountability, *Inclusiveness, and commitment to service that ourveterans deserve. I remain committed to working collaboratlively with the Commissioners, myfellow board members, and our community partners to ensure thatveterans in ourcounty receive the assistance, advocacy, and respect they have earned. Thank you for considering my perspective and for your continued support of our county's vetera n s, Res p tau Ity, 4 ef Ce Da 'S Member, Grant CountyVeter-ans: Advisory Board