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Overridden Veto Gains $400K For Local Vets Building

By Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today

Published: December 20, 2007

SEBRING — The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to approve on Wednesday $406,767 to build a new Highlands County Veterans Service Office, said Congressman Tim Mahoney.

The funding was included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate Tuesday night.

"It's great," said Harry Marsh, president of the Highlands County Veterans Council, a committee which reports to the Highlands County commissioners. "We've been expecting this. It's been an ongoing process."

When he was elected a year ago, Mahoney committed to help get the money, and he delivered on the promise, Marsh said.

Marsh believes the building will cost about $100,000 more than Congress appropriated, but the county commissioners are expected to provide the rest.

The building is currently in the design phase. He expects the commissioners to deal with the project in January.

"It's long overdue," Marsh said. "We have less than 625 square feet."

The problem is that veterans need private office space so they can discuss their medical needs, funeral details with widows, and personal finances.

Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., successfully overrode President Bush's veto.

"I am proud that Sen. Nelson and I have been able to secure funding to help our community meet the critical needs of its veterans," said Mahoney.

"This is a great thing. Thank you a bunch from the veterans in Highlands County. Right now we are working out of space about the size of a two-car garage. This will enable us to proceed with our plans, build offices to support our Vets and Veterans Organizations. Thank you, Congressman Mahoney," said Joseph Dionne, Highlands County veteran services director.

Other 16th District Projects

u $1.213 million, citrus canker and greening research by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services to improve detection, treatment and control.

$365,490, citrus waste stream utilization, developing new uses for citrus waste to reduce reliance on foreign fuel through ethanol.
$33 million, citrus health response plan, providing a regulatory framework to enhance the industry's ability to produce fruit suitable for trade, protect the citrus nursery certification program, and a mechanism to prevent the spread of citrus pests and diseases to other states.
$768,000 to Okeechobee and Highlands Counties ARISE Foundation for continuing and expanding juvenile justice facilities with specialized staff training.

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