Veterans Affairs Commission Will Increase to Five Members Beginning July 1
By Hailey Brown
(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa) – The absence of Mahaska County Supervisor Mark Doland from did not detour supervisors Henry “Willie” Van Weelden and Mark Groenendyk from business as usual on Wednesday. During the May 16 meeting, the duo voted to approve an increase of representation from three to five members on the Mahaska County Commission of Veterans Affairs. The change is slated to take effect July 1, 2018.
Mahaska County Veterans Affairs Director Curt Grandia approached the board with the request in hopes to diversify the background and gender of those serving on the board.
“The commission requested the expansion to allow for a broader, more complete representation of county veterans,” said Grandia. “Including women as well as veterans of the more recent Gulf War, which began in 1990 and continues today.”
Currently, the three members of the commission are Ted Smith, chairman, Joe Durian, and Fred Bridges.
“All three are Vietnam-era veterans and Fred, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, also served during the Korean War,” explained Grandia.
Mahaska County has always had just three members serving on the board. However, by law, Chapter 35B.4 of the Iowa Code, the commission may be made up of three or five members, as determined by the board of supervisors. Each county is able to make a decision based on the background and needs of their county.
“The vast experience and knowledge of veterans issues and the workings of the commission that [Smith] and [Durian] and [Bridges] bring to the table are invaluable,” concluded Grandia. “And I think adding more voices and perspectives will be a win-win.”
In addition to approving the increase from three to five members, the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors also voted on Wednesday to reappoint Bridges to another three-year term on the commission.
When the change takes effect, the fourth member appointed will serve a two-year term, and the fifth member will serve a three-year term, per Chapter 35B.4 of the Iowa Code.
While some speculation was made during the meeting about who would be appointed to fill the additional openings on the commission, that decision will be made at a future date, and the commission will continue to operate with the three current members until July 1, 2018.
