Mahoney Hears From Local Veterans

AVON PARK - The new Veteran's Service Center will be built this year. So what's next?
The Sebring Community Based Outreach Clinic is too small, and veterans have to drive more than 100 miles to see specialists or have an operation performed, a group of former soldiers and sailors told U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney on Thursday in a summit at the Avon Park High School library.

When veterans make the 111-mile drive to West Palm Beach or Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, near St. Petersburg, they were paid 11 cents a mile.

"I wouldn't make the drive for that," Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, told the men and women around the library table. "Now it's 28 cents a mile. That's better. But let me tell you what the right number is. Fifty-and-a-half cents."

That's what the president reimburses his staffers when they drive their personal vehicles on government business, the congressman said.

Three veterans pointed out that the West Palm clinic is only 90 miles away. But Bay Pines owns the Sebring clinic, so Sebring doctors refer their patients to Bay Pines for specialized care.

Shouldn't they just be able to get services at local hospitals, or go to a VA hospital of their own choosing, the veterans asked.

"I'd rather face the devil himself on a broom than to go to Bay Pines," said Betsy Waddell, a Navy chief from Sebring.

"It sounds like the VA set this up for their convenience, rather than the veterans," Mahoney remarked. "What you need is a full service clinic like they have in Fort Myers."

Mahoney promised he would have a conversation with the Veterans Administration, and allow it to come up with options that might satisfy local vets.

Martha Morris, 84, a World War II yeoman from Lake Placid, asked if an assisted living center is in the plans. There are already ALCs in Lake City, Port Charlotte, Bayfield, Daytona Beach, Land O'Lakes, Pembroke Pines.

More are needed, Morris said. Assisted living costs more than $2,000 a month.

"And I'm looking forward to going somewhere when I can't keep up my home," Morris said.
What Else?

Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool was among the leaders who met with the congressman on Thursday afternoon.

A hurricane shelter in Lake Placid is the top priority for the county, Cool said.

"We don't have enough hurricane space," Cool said. When either coast gets evacuated, refugees often come to center, and that's Highlands County.