Veterans' Director calls new Commissioner "a--hole" at 1st public meeting as change moves forward

New VSC members, Steve Staniford and Urulee Watson host their first meeting of the Veterans' Service Commission.Photo byWCPO 9 News, February 14, 2024

The Executive Director of the Veterans' Service Commission, William Boettcher, called one of his new bosses an "a--hole" after the new commissioner put it on the record that he had asked for Boettcher's resignation in executive session as the meeting touched some nerves over changes introduced by the 2 newest members of the VSC, Urulee Watson and Steve Staniford. Boettcher has been the executive director overseeing services for Veterans for 32 years.

Michael Riley, Navy, District 4 Commander for VFW criticizes WIlliam Boettcher, Executive Director for the VSC for calling superior an "ass"Photo byWCPO 9 News, February 14, 2024

Michael Riley, District 4 Commander for the Ohio VFW (Navy), Post 1069, launched a missile from the bleachers directly at Boettcher, responding (at 2:12:00):

Excuse me, sir, Wha -? What - did you say? What did you call him?" his voice going up an octave. Someone answered him repeating Boettcher's comment, "A--hole." Exercising great restraint, Riley measured his words carefully, " that, - is - a-b-s-o-l-u-t-el-y, un-equivacally - UN-warranted. ... You should step down. I believe that you've been here for 32 years - and maybe 30 years too long... . It's time for you - and maybe some of you other ones - to step down so some younger Veterans can come on this board with fresh ideas and help the Veterans. Because this is not a retirement home... you're suppose to be working hard for the Veterans... This is ridiculous! ..."

Boettcher commented that Riley doesn't know what he does. Riley responded,

I don't know what you do; but, I know what you've done,"

referencing anecdotal information from fellow Veterans and McKee's Homefront report. He continued, "The problem is that you lost sight because you have been here too long. ... I request that you guys retire, as well... (referring to elderly Veterans who have been on the board for years and under whom the abysmal record of service to Veterans accumulated.) And to open this up to some "that are - (pausing slightly) fresh and invigorated. "

Watson interjected some levity into a tense exchange, "Glad you took that 'younger' out. I'm an old Veteran with some fresh ideas and some good ideas." Watson went on to explain, seriously, that the older Veterans need help, too. Watson made comments in defense of elderly workers serving elderly Veterans. His statements were well taken.

Riley went on:

I don't mean to be harsh - personally - but if you guys seriously want to help the Veterans then EITHER get HIGHLY motivated - and do it! - or, step down and let somebody else come in..."

Staniford and Watson introduced significant changes in their first battle confronting the need for change with the old guard Veterans who have managed the organization with tight reins on the finances resulting in the denial of services to county Veterans. The VSC spends more on staff salaries than they do on the Veterans they are serving. They are at the bottom of spending for Veterans per capital than most all other VSCs in the state.

Craig McKee exposed the gross disparity in services to Hamilton County Veterans in a story featured in his Home Front series airing on WCPO 9 News. The story, in early November, raised the ire of Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners and Veterans, alike. McKee's reporting has become the catalyst to big changes - coming fast.

Staniford, and Watson with the only "second" to his motions, brought forth several issues for the first time in decades to better serve Veterans:

• Convening meetings weekly instead of monthly. More in line with VSCs of jurisdictions the size and population similar to Hamilton County.
• Doubling the VSOs and office staff workers consistent with standard recommendations of the state Veteran Services Office.
• Committing to greater resources for outreach activities.
• Creating a subcommittee to analyze and bring forth recommendations for improvements (which was not embraced by the old guard).
• Increasing the VSC's budget via a contractual agreement with the County Commissioners which limits the number of appointees they can make.

There were lots of requests to legal counsel to assist the VSC in defining their powers, duties, and the scope of services they can provide. The longest-serving commissioners appear to have little knowledge of their legal duties.

One public speaker grilled the VSC regarding homeless Veterans. It became apparent that the VSC does not assist homeless Veterans because they do not have a "residence" in the county. The VSC has believed for years that they were prohibited from assisting any homeless Veterans, according to William Boettcher. They had no idea they were to pay for the burial and upkeep of Veterans' graves that are destitute. There were several significant misunderstandings about basic legal definitions, the scope of services, etc.

The long-term VSCs often misstated basic rules and laws about the program they run. The old guard had not kept abreast of new policies and law nor the political winds of change as the county seat became more interested in supporting Veterans over saving money. Pam Minser, Administrative Assistant for the VSC, insisted, "We were just trying to make the (county) commissioners happy. We thought this is what they wanted us to do. Save money and keep our budget low" Many of these VSCs and staff were appointed or hired when there was a very conservative Board of Commissioners who instilled fiscal restraint over Veteran needs for decades and encouraged minimal spending on Veterans.

January 2023 the VSC spent $24K on local Vets, since McKee's report and the outcry of numerous Veterans and Vet organizations, the VSC spent $44K, this January. Under intense public pressure from the news and the public blowback, the VSC nearly doubled their spending on the Vets.

The VSC is planning on another meeting, per their regular schedule on March 13th, to Staniford's chagrin. They refused to pass a resolution to have weekly meetings. It doesn't appear that most the commissioners realize that it only takes 2 commissioners to call a special meeting, per Robert's Rules of Order that dictate their meeting processes.

They'll learn - quick enough.

Staniford is a warrior for Veterans. He said:

"I'm trying to improve the reach of the county Veterans' Service Commission and there's heavy resistance. I'm here to fight for the Veterans of Hamilton County."

Despite Staniford serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, the fight on McKee's Home Front may be his most difficult battle, fighting the status quo.