FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Local vets pulled no punches with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for California at a town hall meeting. They are fuming over the Fresno Veteran's home.
Weeks ago Governor Brown took away the funding to open the Veteran's home. It's only weeks away from being finished. Friday, local vets had a stern message for the Secretary to take back to the Governor.... "Give us our money back!"
Veterans advocate Charlie Walters didn't hold back. "We're here to tell these people to tell the Governor to go straight to hell if he doesn't open this home." It has taken ten years of arm twisting, planning and building to create the Fresno Veterans Home.
It is a $158 million dream home that is only weeks away from completion. But a major budget deficit prompted Governor Brown to take away money to staff the 300-bed facility.
Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson was angry too. "I am appalled at the audacity of Governor Brown for taking it out of the budget."
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Peter Gravett reminded Valley Veterans that the budget year isn't over until June 30th. "The answer to opening the home might lie in legislation. It might lie in taxation. It may lie in other areas and be a combination of those."
Freshman Assemblywoman Linda Halderman says the money is there. It just has to be allocated. "I will be introducing legislation this year to restore the general fund allocation to open the Fresno and Redding Veterans homes as was promised."
Secretary Gravett says a budgeted staff of ten will be assigned to the Fresno home once it's finished. But it will take a minimum of six months to get the house ready once money is allocated from Sacramento.
It's going to take months, possibly years before the Fresno Veterans Home opens. Undersecretary for Veterans Affairs Robin Umberg says vets who desperately need a room shouldn't wait. They can be placed temporarily in another home in California. "They will be prioritized for rapid transfer back to their own neighborhood."
Valley Veteran Lewis Edwards says the list is long for people in need. "They're homeless. There are people out there who are sick and they don't have caregivers at home, and this Veterans home would be ideal for them."
Valley Veterans vow they will not be denied funding. They plan to caravan by bus to Sacramento and let their voices be heard on the steps of the Capitol.
Secretary Gravett wouldn't offer any kind of a timeline on when Fresno's home will open. Some say the budget crisis could push back the opening to 2014.
