Peaceful veteran stand down will begin at 7 a.m.

 

BELVIDERE-In less than 24 hours a Facebook post has been shared over 300 times and still counting.  What kind of post would draw this much attention and support?

Bryce Trevino is a Belvidere High School graduate Class of 2008.  He served four years in the United States Marine Corps finishing his service as a Corporal.  Bryce is the younger brother of Branden Ramey who was a Belvidere High School graduate Class of 2001 and also a Marine.  Three days before Veterans Day Lance Corporal Branden Ramey was killed on Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 while serving his country in Iraq.

On Oct. 30 Bryce Trevino posted the following on his Facebook page.

“CALLING ON ALL VETERANS!! PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE …

To all veterans and all supporters:

District 100 of Belvidere Illinois has decided to be disgraceful and disrespectful by NOT allowing the students Veterans Day off for the first time in decades. This now means that the Veterans Day parade is cancelled, the parade in which we HONOR all veterans. This is a day where we should be showing students to put all differences aside and come together as a community.
We cannot allow this type of action to continue in our community! TAKE A STAND and show your support against this decision! On the date of Wednesday November 11th we can take stand outside of the Belvidere High School along East Avenue. We will show the kids that we are here for them and proudly stand for the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and those continuing to serve! PEACEFUL VETERAN STAND DOWN WILL BEGIN AT 0700
Show that you are proud of your veterans and proud of your country!

We cannot allow this kind of action to continue in our community.  TAKE A STAND and show your support against this decision.  On the date of Wednesday Nov. 11 we can take stand outside of the Belvidere High School along East Avenue.  We will show the kids we are here for them and proudly stand for the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and those continuing to serve!  PEACEFUL VETERAN STAND DOWN WILL BEGIN AT 0700.  Show that you are proud of your veterans and proud of your country.”

Ryan H. Curry is friends with Bryce Trevino.  Ryan served 12 years in the United States Marine Corps and reached the rank of Sergeant.  He became disabled after being injured in 2006 while serving his country in Iraq.  Ryan is a Belvidere High School graduate Class of 1998 and has been friends with Branden Ramey and his family for many years.

“Semperfi-‘Always Faithful’.  That’s what we are in the Marines,” Curry said.  “The ‘Peaceful Veteran Stand Down’ and I want to emphasize ‘peaceful’ is not just about Branden, but for all our Veterans here locally and across this nation.  I don’t want our community and my hometown where I grew up fading away from remembering our Veterans. I give Bryce all the credit.  It was his idea.”

“It’s crazy how fast it took off and so much support has already been given,” Bryce Trevino said.  “I disapprove of the decision for Belvidere Schools to be in session on Veterans Day.  As a result, the Veterans Day Parade has been cancelled and will have only a minimal amount of students from the high school bands in attendance.  I served and had a brother who served and was killed in action in Iraq.  We are also Belvidere High School Alumni.  His funeral was held in the Belvidere High School gym.  I find the decision by Belvidere School District 100 and the Belvidere Educators Association to be offensive.”

“This is not a gathering to protest or run a picket line.  Instead, we want to show the students that we are standing in honor, holding flags in support of them as students and also for our Veterans.  I would like to see our Belvidere/Boone County Community defend their Veterans as we have defended them by joining us Nov. 11 at Belvidere High School at 0700 or 7:00 a.m.,” Trevino added.

“I want Belvidere School District 100 and the Belvidere Educators Association (BEA) to see how much the community disapproves of their decision to be in session come November 11^th rather than honoring a Federal Holiday set purposely aside for our veterans,” Trevino said.

“It is an embarrassment to say the least that we even have to go through this. Veterans Day should be the top priority day that students have off! They should be able to observe those men and women walk down State Street in their parade in Belvidere.  The parade is to not only honoring the living but honoring those who are no longer with us.  Together, as only a community should.”

Belvidere High School is located at 1500 East Ave. in Belvidere.

Peaceful veteran stand down will begin at 7 a.m.

BCJ: VAC Again

This posting and the next three postings are from the Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on-line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-03-27-15.pdf#page=1

 

 

 

 

 

(11) Contentious meeting as veterans seek rent... - Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Contentious meeting as veterans seek rent funding
By Bob Balgemann
Reporter

BELVIDERE - The relatively new Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) has outgrown its quarters on Cadillac Court, and plans to move into four rooms on the second floor of the downtown PNC building.

As such, monthly rent is going from $300 to $1,049 and the VAC is asking county government to pick up that tab.

Greg Kelm, commander of VFW Post 1461 in Belvidere, made the request of the county's finance, salaries and taxation committee at its meeting Tuesday night. A unanimous vote to recommend approval of the expenditure was made and referred to the full county board for consideration March 18.

But that only came after disagreements and heated exchanges between Kelm and Karl Johnson, committee chairman.

The finance panel was under a time constraint because another standing committee of the county board, city-county, was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. That gave finance an hour to conduct its business and Johnson wanted to keep the meeting moving along.

A goodly number of veterans accompanied Kelm and some of them took Johnson's insistence for order as an infringement on their right to freedom of speech. There was more than one interruption from the audience, which prompted committee Vice Chairman Paul Larson to observe, "Public comment is over. Audience, please be quiet."

There always is time for public comment, at the beginning of the meeting, and Tuesday night no one signed up to speak. But that didn't keep them from letting their views be known as the meeting progressed.

Kelm started by revisiting what happened at an earlier administration and legislative committee meeting on March 2, as well as at the county board's annual retreat on Jan. 26. Johnson interrupted him, saying the purpose of the March 10 meeting was "not to rehash old wounds. We're here to consider the request for additional funding."

Right now the VAC budget of about $283,000 a year comes from a small property tax increase approved by voters in 2013. The county board initially gave commission start-up money, until tax dollars began coming in during June 2014.

One of two new committee members, Sherry Giesecke, said the VAC had a balance of $105,000 after its first full year of operation. The increased rent, totaling $13,000 a year, "wouldn't put much of a dent in the $105,000," she said.

But Kelm said the VAC is getting busier as it strives to assist Boone County veterans in need. "We're finding more need," he said. He added that of every $1 spent, 65 cents is going to help veterans.

In addition, he said the VAC "desperately needs a van," which would cost $60,000-$80,000.

Gieseke pointed to the need for the VAC to turn in detailed reports of how it spends taxpayers' money, naming animal control services and the county health department as examples of county departments doing that. "You deserve the very best," she said. "But you need to be accountable for the money."

"You'd like a better report, you'll get a better report," Kelm replied.

A COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY

There was disagreement over whether the county is responsible for paying the VAC's office expenses, including rent.

County board member Cathy Ward, attending in an ex-officio capacity, said state statutes were clear that it is the county's responsibility. Johnson disagreed, saying statute "talks in a lot of circles."

The community ultimately voted to ask Boone County State's Attorney Michelle Courier to request clarification of that point from the state Attorney General's Office.

After the committee vote Kelm continued addressing the issue, which prompted Larson to invite him to say after the city-county coordinating committee meeting. "We can talk, if you want to," he said.

But Kelm countered, addressing the audience, "Thank you for coming and seeing what I've been putting up with since 2011."

Above is from BDR’s Facebook:  (11) Contentious meeting as veterans seek rent... - Belvidere Daily Republican

BCJ: The VAC Returns to the County Board

 

The story shown below is from the March 13, 2015 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at many Boone County merchants or on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-03-13-15.pdf#page=1

Boone County VAC Seeks Additional Funding

 

BOONE COUNTY (WIFR) – Boone County residents who once fought for our country are now fighting for a bigger new home.

Veterans packed tonight’s Boone County finance meeting. The county’s veteran assistance commission was established on 12-12-12 by Attorney General Lisa Madigan in order to help veterans throughout Boone County. Last year, voters approved a .03% tax levy that Board Chairman Bob Wahlberg says produced $262,000. Today, VAC Chairman Greg Kelm asked the finance committee for an additional $13,000 to cover one year’s rent for a bigger building to move into.

"All we are asking is let the VAC do their job. Let us help the veterans. It's easy to say, ‘oh sure I want to help the veterans’ but we really don't want to kind of pay for it. And that's the situation sir, I'm in now,” says Kelm.

The finance committee agreed to move the question of additional funding to the full board for a vote on March 18th. They’re also asking the Attorney General to clarify whether the county is responsible for more funding fi the tax levy doesn’t produce enough funds.

Above is from:  Boone County VAC Seeks Additional Funding

Veterans Rewards for Boone County Veterans

Boone County Clerk & Recorder Announces Rewards Service for Veterans

A free service that entitles our veterans for discounts and incentives at local businesses

June 19, 2014 - Belvidere, IL - The Boone County Clerk & Recorder's Office, in partnership with Fidlar Technologies, is excited to announce a new service for our Veterans, known as, Honor Rewards.  With Honor Rewards, Veterans can sign-up at our office or online to receive an Honor Rewards card, which qualifies them for discounts and incentives at participating businesses in our community.  This service is being made available at no cost to the County and its taxpayers.

To sign up, all a veteran needs to do is visit www.honorrewards.com, click on Boone County, IL and fill out the form.  If an individual prefers to fill out the form with us instead of online, they can visit our office at 1212 Logan Ave, Suite 103 and we will help them get signed up.  We are open Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm.  The service is completely free and after signing up the veteran can expect to receive their Honor Rewards ID card in the mail in 2-4 weeks.

Local businesses and retailers can participate in the service by contacting our office or using the Business Sign-up link on www.honorrewards.com.  By participating, their business name will be listed on the Honor Rewards website for Boone County, provided to Veterans who receive an Honor Rewards card, and also be regularly mentioned in email blasts to current Honor Rewards members.  In addition, we will provide participating businesses with promotional materials like door stickers and flyers to promote their involvement.

For more information, contact us at 815-544-3103 or visit www.honorrewards.com.

Participating Businesses

ACE Hardware of Belvidere (10% Off Purchase)

Ashley’s Salon and Day Spa (20% Off Any Service, Any Day with ID)

Attorney Deborah S Loos (20% Off Preparation of Wills and Power of Attorney, and representation of the sale or purchase of your home.)

Barry T’s Modernistic Engravers (20% Off Engraving On Our Product)

Belvidere Pacemaker Countryside Markets (5% Discount)

Boone County Historical Museum (Free Membership and Free Lecture Series)

C & H Design Center (5% Off Total Job Up to $350)

Culver’s of Belvidere (10% Your Entire Order)

The Flower Bin Etc (20% Off Purchase/Order)

Jerseys Bar and Grill (15% Off Any Food Purchase)

Larsen’s Community EyeCare and Patriot Store ($49 Eye Exam, 20% Discount on All Eyewear Purchases, 10% Discount on All Items in Patriot Store)

Luecke Jewelers (Free Watch Battery Change/Visit, 25% Off Any Regular Priced Merchandise)

Neighborhood Cleaners (15% Off Any Order)

Northern Lights Unlimited, Inc (40% Off List Price – Anything, Anytime)

Poplar Grove Pacemaker Countryside Markets (5% Discount)

Poplar Grove Vintage Wings & Wheels Museum ($1 Off Admission; 10% Discount in Gift Shop)

Snyder Pharmacy (15% Discount Every Wednesday. Excludes Prescriptions, Alcohol and Sale Items)

Susie’s Garden Patch (10% Off Any Purchase at the Farm Stand in Garden Prairie. Excludes Farm Markets.)

VFW Post 1461 (Free 1st Year’s Membership Dues for New Qualifying VFW Members or Members Whose Memberships May Have Lapsed. Complete eligibility rules at http://www.vfw.org.)

County Board Meetings

Below are my own comments regarding the December County board meeting and upcoming county meetings.—Bill Pysson

Major actions of note from December 18, 2013 County Board Meeting

1. Discussed and voted on “No Confidence” in the Chairmanship of Bob Walberg. The motion was unsuccessful 4-8. Bill voted for “No Confidence”. Bill spoke at the meeting of Mr. Walberg’s lack of leadership with particular emphasis on Mr. Walberg’s refusal to seek answers on the questions of funding the Veterans Assistance Commission. For more coverage on the no confidence issue go to: http://www.wrex.com/story/24258179/2013/12/19/one-third-of-boone-county-board-votes-no-confidence-in-chairman or http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131218/NEWS/131219397

2. Voted to grant $25,000 to the Veterans Assistance Commission for current operation. The county board has (in Bill’s opinion) been less than cooperative with the VAC. It began with the County Administration/Board Leadership refusal to really discuss with the BelowVAC providing county office space and used office equipment back in January 2013. Based upon a lack of action the VAC borrowed money and rented their own space and purchased necessary office equipment and supplies. The county then “advanced” money to the VAC to begin operations and pay back the loan from the veterans’ organizations for the rent and purchases. There still is not a clear statement or agreement regarding funding of FY 2013 VAC operations and FY 2014. Mr. Walberg and his majority refuse to address the issue as to what amounts the county must fund from the general fund and what sums should come from the VAC referendum. Based upon an initiative from the Cathy Ward and other members of the minority (including BILL) the $25,000 approved by the county board at the December board meeting was changed to a grant rather than an advance. (Vote 10-2 to change to “grant” and then 12-0 to grant the $25,000 from the general fund) Still in question are the previous “advances”: Must any of the “advances” be repaid? When will VAC referendum funds be used for their operations? Will any of the VAC’s future operating costs be funded by the county’s general fund? The most discouraging item is that Mr. Walberg does not wish to seek answers to any of these questions. These are not mute questions-- the VAC has raised these and other questions —to some degree the questions concern state law and court decisions--the county has thus far sought little legal advice on these matters.

3. County Board granted authority to the Human Service Subcommittee to solicit proposals for architectural services for the design of the animal services building. It is yet to be determined if the new building will be bid or lease/purchase.

4. County authorized annual job evaluations of Building & Zoning Enforcement, Geographic Information Systems and Animal Service Departments. See the flowchart: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9EC7VG712E26/$file/Employee%20Evaluation%20Flowchart_201312121359.pdf This action was largely initiated by Bill P. During budget hearings Ms. Tobin, Assistant Administrator, was granted a substantial merit raise. Questions by Bill substantiated that only Admin Department personnel were actually evaluated. Performance of other members of the staff had not been reviewed in years and effectively they were not considered for such a merit raise. Hopefully all personnel will now have annual evaluation. Job performance reviews are vital to managing personnel.

5. For a complete agenda go to: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2012-18-2013.pdf or Board Doc’s: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Public

Major Actions Anticipated for County Board in January 2014.

1. The Wind Turbine Ordinance regarding Setbacks will hopefully be voted at the January 15, 2014 county board meeting. This will be coming to the county board directly from the recently completed hearings at the Zoning Board of Appeals.

2. Building & Zoning Subcommittee (Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 6:oo PM) will tentatively spend their one hour scheduled meeting on zoning enforcement.

3. Human Services Subcommittee (Thursday, January 2, 2013, 6:ooPM, see: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/Health%20Agenda%20Jan.%202,%202014.pdf ) deals again with several controversial issues: Water sampling at Plote gravel pit, setting up interviews for architects for new animal services building, a complaint regarding Heath Code enforcement.

Veterans Assistance Commission October 28, 2013 meeting

VAC had its October public meeting at the VFW Club in Belvidere at 6:00PM today. 

The following reports were given.  Mr. Davis gave the Superintendent’s Report.

Note regarding Item #11—The Stand down is at The Verdi Club, 782 N Madison St, Rockford · (815) 968-8119

As shown below, $3,984.53 in assistance was provided two three applicants for the month of October. One was continuing assistance. Two were one-time assistance.

The FY 2014 was previously submitted to the Boone County Board.

Income/expenditures for month of October 2013 and period from January 1 through October 28, 2013.

Rockford conference aims to help female veterans - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

ROCKFORD — A conference this Saturday in Rockford aims to provide resources to the fastest growing veteran demographic in Illinois: Women.

About 20 local, state and federal vendors will present information on benefits and programs that support women who’ve served in the armed forces at the Northern Illinois Conference for Women Veterans. The free event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St.

“With women veterans making up the fastest-growing and yet most under-served demographic in our Illinois veteran community, events like this are vital in helping women veterans own their unique veteran experience, get benefits and contribute,” said Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

The conference is open to female veterans and women who are currently serving. The event includes a professional attire fashion show, to assist women in preparing for dressing professionally for interviews, and an open forum to discuss entrepreneurship

Click on the following for more details;  Rockford conference aims to help female veterans - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

BOONE COUNTY VAC advertisement

The following is taken form the Boone County Journal for October 18, 2013 available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-10-18-13.pdf#page=1

Kelm questions county board support for veterans group | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

county initially provided the VAC with $25,000 in start-up funds and approved an additional $25,000 on Aug. 21. That money, and any other advances, must be repaid when property tax revenue becomes available next spring.

Kelm appeared before the county finance, taxation and salaries committee on Aug. 13 and presented a detailed report on how money had been spent so far. “(Committee member) Karl Johnson turned it (report) over without even looking at it and said, ‘I am not interested in the first $25,000 but I am interested in the second,’” the commission president said.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Kelm questions county board support for veterans group | Belvidere Daily Republican

Articles about Boone County Board meeting of September 18, 2013

The board voted 11-0 Wednesday to “investigate” building a new space for the Boone County Animal Services and Adoption Center. The vote doesn’t guarantee officials will approve future plans, but leaders said they were in favor of moving to a new spot.

The current building has been plagued with several issues that make it almost inoperable, including a cracked kennel floor and mice infestation. The chain-link fence that separates dog areas allows diseases, including kennel cough, to be spread among pets quickly….

 

In other news, Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission President Greg Kelm wants to know which officials are willing to commit political suicide by not supporting the county’s 3,400 former soldiers.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1843591140/Boone-officials-seek-design-revenue-streams-for-new-animal-building#ixzz2fLEPNKAK

 

 

Veterans Assistance Commission:

Click on the picture to enlarge:

Animal Services

The above BCJ articles are available on-line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-09-20-13.pdf#page=1 or at merchants across the county free of costs.

Attorney General is now involved in the Veteran Assistance Commission issue

The county has been contacted by the Attorney General’s Office and the AG will be updated concerning county’s discussions with the VAC—Bill Pysson via Ken Terrinoni

The following will be released to the BDR, Rockford Register Star and Boone County Journal on Monday, September 16, 2013. They may use all or parts of it.

Boone County finally releases second $25,000 for funding of the VAC:  VAC Boone County President Kelm's thoughts on this whole issue.

Just recently, September 10, 2013, County Board Chairman Mr. Walberg and County Administrator Mr. Terrinoni released the second $25,000 for the Veterans' Assistance Commission of Boone County. This was approved by the Finance Committee August 13th and by the full Board August 21st. Finally the money was released September 10th. Please remember, the County Board has some very intelligent, hard working, open minded members who welcome and support the VAC. On the other hand, there are members who will hop over the fence depending upon whether they are talking to the VAC or the County; yet they all voted 100% to fund another $25,000.

I would like to ask the entire County Board : Who will be the first to step up and state to the community how you really feel about your veterans?. Who wants to be the first to commit re-election suicide? It is my opinion that two members may have already done that.

Approximately 10 years ago, several veterans from Boone County approached the County Board asking for help to form a VAC, and they were told, "There would never be a VAC in Boone County ."

Several days ago in a telephone conversation with the county and the VAC, the VAC was told, "You can either borrow from the county or a bank."

Yes the county has funded $25,000 to start the VAC, and another $25,000 was finally released on September 10th, yet nowhere does the county tell the taxpayers what was really spent starting up the VAC office. When our group went to the County Board Finance Committee with our first detailed report of how every penny was spent, Karl Johnson turned it over without even looking at it and said: "I am not interested in the first $25,000, but I am interested in the second".

State Statute (330 ILCS) (from Ch. 23, par. 3090) says, "The county shall provide the office and furnish all necessary supplies, including telephone, printing, stationery and postage therefor". When the VAC asked the county for an office, used office equipment, and if they would write a check every other week for our superintendent, drawing funds from the VAC checking account, all answers by the county were: No! No! No!

The VAC membership will re-address the previous above paragraph, in detail again with the county, and then again with the Illinois Attorney General's office.

We had hoped the county would shoulder the burden of funding until the tax approved funds would be levied in July 2014. We told the County Board that all unused money in the VAC account would be returned to the general fund once the VAC tax levied funds are received in July 2014. Remember, it is always the county's responsibility to fund the VAC whether the referendum passed or failed, that is by Illinois statute.

Please remember, Boone county citizens stepped forward April 9, 2013, and said yes to a tax increase for the Veterans of Boone County and their families in financial need.

From the BDR Sunday August 18th page 8. Mr. Karl Johnson says: " Out of the $25,000 less than $500 has gone to help." Technically he is correct, and at face value that looks horrible. But what Mr. Karl Johnson conveniently omitted, was that several veterans had been helped, not financially, but with guidance and referrals to get medical care and other services in the first two weeks we were open. Also, we had not spent the whole $25,000; we had $6,000 left in the VAC checking, and the bulk of the money spent was to rent space and completely furnish it. We also pay our superintendent a salary of $576.92 per week, which is $30,000 a year.

Mr. Karl Johnson wondered hypothetically, what if the commission spends $300,000 a year of which $1,000 went to assist veterans? "Yet we're spending $30,000 on a salary." Mr. Johnson seems to have a big problem with our only employee receiving a $30,000 a year salary. That one employee happens to be very well educated in veterans' affairs and a certified Veterans' Service Officer. Mr. Johnson for the record, would you please provide the taxpayers and myself the number of all county employees who are paid over $31,000 a year? Also please recap total amount of yearly income by the top 10 highest paid employees of Boone County (no names please just total salary).

Mr. Thornberry, a very respected County Board member by the VAC answered, "We won't be able to answer Mr. Johnson's questions for two or three years". Mr. Thornberry has also attended our last two VAC meetings with rock solid input. Mr. Thornberry is also a veteran. Mr. Thornberry along with some of the other County Board members really want to see the VAC succeed, not fail.

After the attempted withholding of Board approved funds, the Attorney General's office was contacted by our Boone County VAC. The VAC will report now directly to Lisa Madigan's Office of Veterans Affairs with unresolved conflicts between the VAC & the Boone County Board.

Thank you to the community who did the right thing and voted themselves a tax increase to support the veterans and their families in need. Thank you to the members of County Board who truly wish to see the VAC succeed. To the other members of the Board, the VAC's of Illinois have been around for over 20 years, but it was your choice to sit on your hands and do nothing for your Boone County Veterans. You could have made this transition so easy, especially now with the funding from the tax levy.

If Board members paid more attention to the other 99.97% of the tax payers' dollars and spent less time trying to destroy the newly formed VAC, would our county be in such pathetic shape financially?

Respectfully submitted,

Gregory W. Kelm

President Boone County VAC

Boone County agencies squabbling over $50,000 advance - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

Boone County’s Veterans Assistance Commission has the office, staff and paperwork in place to help former service members in financial need, but now the county wants its money back.

Boone County Board members are asking the commission to pay back the $50,000 they voted to give the veterans agency for start-up costs. Commission leaders say the funding wasn’t a loan — the county was helping the agency pay for its services until tax revenue trickles in.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Boone County agencies squabbling over $50,000 advance - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Assistance from Veterans Assistance Commission of Boone County

The actual assistance is an emergency and interim financial program.  It is not intended to be an ongoing financial supportive system.  In addition to such financial assistance the Commission employs a full time counselor who assists veterans and their dependents in filing for federal and state veterans benefits. 

Below is a summary of the Boone County Veterans Assistance program:

Below are required documents to apply:

The actual application is shown below.  Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

Veterans Assistance Commission for Boone County

The ad below is from the Boone County Journal.  Similar ad s will be appear in future weeks.

Interesting Boone County Journal Articles from the August 16, 2013 paper

Go to: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-08-16-13.pdf#page=1 ---to read the article.

Page 1. Boone County Animal Services

Page 5 Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission requests $25,000 advance

Page 8.  Democratic Fair Questionnaire

Page 9.  Shooting in Poplar Grove

Page 10.  Police Reports are suspended

To read these and other interesting stories go to:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-08-16-13.pdf#page=1 

Veterans Assistance Commission requests additional $25,000

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Boone County requested a second $25,000 advance from the Boone County Board at tonight’s Admin Subcommittee

It submitted the accounting of the first $25,000 shown below.  The entire Boone County Board must approve the next payment at the board meeting on August 21, 2013.

Several items were explained at tonight’s meeting. 

• The “Cash, Expense” was a one time cash withdrawal to pay purchases of office items at Office Depot and Best Buy.  These institutions refused payment by check/debit because the account was too new for bank verification.
• “VAC Operational Expenses” ($486.58) were actually payments to pay indigent veterans’ rent and utility bills.
• The second $25,000 advance is anticipated to cover operations until November 30, 2013.
• Since opening in July, 25-30 clients have been seen.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Boone County is located at 175 Cadillac Court, Suite C, Belvidere, Il 61008. Phone 815 544 6464