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City Council creates Veterans Affairs Committee
On Sept. 1, Columbus City Coucil announced a new standing committee to focus solely on the needs of the city’s military veterans. “This new committee will help raise awareness of the challenges veterans face and link veterans and their families with the services they need,” said Council President Andrew Ginther. “When it comes to understanding the needs of veterans and their families, no one on council is more qualified to address these concerns than President Pro Tem Craig.” Councilman Hearcel Craig, a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Army, said the Veterans Affairs Committee will highlight the many programs and services that assist this growing population. “There are a myriad of services offered by multiple levels of government aimed at veterans and navigating these waters can sometimes be a daunting task,” said Craig. “My mission for this new committee will be to continue to protect the rights and benefits of Columbus veterans while promoting programming that improves the lives of military personnel and their families.” There are an estimated 100,000 veterans living in Columbus. The new committee will evaluate the needs of Columbus veterans, assist service related agencies and work in concert with Rick Isbell, Columbus’ Veterans Affairs and Americans with Disabilities coordinator. Craig said the new committee will also work with Columbus Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office to incorporate disabled-veteran status into current city standards and collaborate with the Office of Homeless Advocacy to move homeless veterans from the streets to stable housing situations. “Veterans deserve the strongest voice possible fighting for our rights and it is good to know City Council will do all they can to help us in our times of need,” said Bill Adams, a Columbus resident and Korean War veteran who also serves on the Columbus Veterans Advisory Board.
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