Black Hired As County’s Veteran Service Officer
Black Hired As County’s Veteran Service Officer
By David Howell
Editor
COFFEEVILLE – Supervisors hired a new Veteran’s Service Officer (VSO) Monday after lengthy discussions regarding the position in three meetings this month. Water Valley CPA Joe Black was tapped for the job, following the recommendation of American Legion Post #37 members.
Black was one of four candidates interviewed by supervisors before making the hire, ultimately deciding that they would keep the century-old tradition of accepting the American Legion’s recommendation when hiring the county’s VSO. The position is considered a part-time county job and pays just over $800 per month. The VSO office is charged with providing information and assistance for veterans to obtain state and federal benefits, programs and services.
Black’s recommendation came Monday when post commander Gerald Bailey told supervisors “we have found our candidate.” Bailey said Black had been a long-time member of the VFW and American Legion, was a Vietnam veteran and was well qualified for the position.
Bailey first approached supervisors on July 5, explaining the American Legion had withdrawn their support for VSO Mickell Dunn, who had served in the position for almost two years. Dunn appeared at a July 19 meeting and defended his job performance, but supervisors voted unanimously to make a change, citing numerous complaints.
The Vote To Hire Black
The vote to hire Black Monday was 4-0, with District 3 Supervisor Lee McMinn abstaining from the vote. McMinn explained that he was a close personal friend of one candidate for the position, John Horner, and many of the family members of another candidate, Richard Walker, lived in his district.
“I certainly have confidence in you four sitting here, that you will make a good decision,” McMinn explained.
Washington initially expressed support for Walker, citing the available time to serve, as Walker told county officials he was retired.
“I don’t want it to sound like I am not taking in consideration the desires of the American Legion or the VFW, but I personally think that Mr. Walker would suit that position well,” Washington said. “Do you not think Mr. Walker would not suit that position well?” Washington asked Bailey.
“I wouldn’t be the one to break down a tradition that is a 100 years old,” Bailey answered, referring to the county hiring the VSO based on the recommendation of the American Legion. Bailey also said the American Legion’s membership may be small, but they speak for a lot of the county’s veterans.
“Joe (Black) carried a rifle in Vietnam, just like I did. Joe has got the learning, he has done it in the past. He is the choice of the veterans I have talked with so far,” Bailey added.
“I don’t question whether he is qualified, my question is the commitment of time,” Washington countered.
“Some of the complaints we have had about Mr. Dunn was that he didn’t have time,” District 2 Supervisor Ken Rogers added.
“I think it has been a situation where the last person that did the job, Mr. (George) Rounsaville, spoiled them. He was retired,” McMinn said.
“I don’t think we have a bad candidate in the whole bunch. That is what makes it so hard. But Mr. Bailey has a point of tradition. If Joe (Black) didn’t think he could handle it, he would say so,” District 5 Supervisor Gaylon Gray added.
Next McMinn got Black on the phone to field questions from supervisors.
“I know we have your verbal commitment, I just wanted to make sure you have time in the spring during tax time,” Washington explained.
Black assured supervisors he would have time for the position, and said he had been active and a long-time supporter of both the VFW and the American Legion.
“This is all about filling out forms, which is what I do,” Black added. He also told supervisors he would only have two requirements.
“Number one they have to be a veteran. Number two, they have to live in Yalobusha County. But that is not necessarily a disqualifier if they don’t live in this county, because we have had veterans go out this county and see VSOs in other counties,” Black explained.
Dunn’s Dismissal
“Each time I ask the same questions and get no answers. Who have I not been helping?” Dunn told supervisors during the July 19 meeting. He also said if he had not done something for a veteran, he would like to know who they were so he could apologize and research the issue. He also said if it was an issue involving the Veteran’s Admini-stration (VA) denial of a claim, that was a different matter because dealing with the VA is a complicated process.
“That would be the same for anybody you put in the job,” Dunn added about the VA.
Dunn reminded supervisors they have been involved in overseeing his job duties and how he handled them. Dunn explained the job is above and beyond a part-time job, citing examples of after-hours calls he has made in the past. Dunn also said many of the veterans in the county are elderly and that he often works out of his truck making house calls to provide assistance.
Dunn also reminded supervisors that the VA is moving more and more to online applications and correspondence, requiring computer skills.
“Even if I am not allowed to continue as the county’s veteran service officer, I will still help veterans and do what I can,” Dunn added.
Bailey made several allegations following Dunn’s comments, before Washing-ton urged him to keep the meeting as civil as possible.
“I think we hear loud and clear the concerns,” Washington added.
“I have been with Mr. Dunn on a few occasions to assist a veteran that was homeless. I don’t know all the job entails, but I know he was helping that gentleman. But at the end of the day, he represents the veterans in this county and it sounds like there have been a number of complaints logged even before this complaint,” Washington continued. “I don’t like this, but it seems like it would be in order to look for a replacement for Mr. Dunn.”
“I hate that, because I think you have made an effort, but your effort has not been good enough for the veterans and they have made that loud and clear to us,” Washington said, before seeking input from other supervisors.
“I will just make a statement that Mr. George Rounsaville lives in my district. And because of that they have sought me out numerous times to voice concerns and complaints and I have acted on those in an effort to get Mr. Dunn’s opinion,” McMinn added. “Long story short, Mr. Dunn has not been able to win the hearts and minds of these people.”
McMinn also said a change was necessary, citing that Dunn had previously been recommended by Rounsaville on behalf of the American Legion, and now that recommendation has been withdraw.
“It’s unfortunate, because I think your heart is in the right place. But for whatever reason, the way things were done for 20 years is not being done now,” McMinn said.
“How many veterans do y’all speak for?” McMinn then asked Bailey.
“There are only 38 that are paying their dues right now,” Bailey answered about the American Legion membership roll.
“There are 962 veterans in the county. And I only keep hearing one name of the disgusted person,” Dunn said, referring to Rounsaville’s criticism of his job performance. Dunn also said there was only a handful at the meeting when the group voted to recommend he be terminated.
“One versus 961,” Dunn noted.
“I don’t want to have to continue to deal with disgruntled veterans. I appreciate what you have done and I know you have worked hard,” Washington told Dunn before the unanimous vote to replace Dunn.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the county and the Board of Supervisors. If it doesn’t work out, I will still be in the county. I am already school trained,” Dunn said following the decision.
