Letter: A new Veterans Affairs facility is not necessary

Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 | 8:59 a.m.

For the benefit of our veterans, a waste of millions of dollars on a new Veterans Affairs facility should absolutely be grounded.

As a veteran and a retired construction worker for many years, my wife (also a veteran) and I gratefully use the facility now located at 1700 Vegas Drive.

This facility is beautifully and conveniently designed and includes a very efficient staff that we veterans really appreciate for their loyal concern and the greatest of care. If the truth were known, I am sure the majority of the staff would much rather stay where they are.

A new multimillion-dollar facility would no doubt cost the veterans more increases in future prescription co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses. Co-pays were just recently raised by 3 1/2 times but was probably a necessity.

When construction blueprints are submitted to the local building department they must be approved for safety and per local codes in order to issue the necessary permits to perform the job. All phases of construction must be visibly inspected as the job proceeds per local codes.

The building department, inspectors and building contractors have no control over future ground movement or Mother Nature that contributes to structural damages. Ask California. Another new facility, sooner or later, would only develop the same problems. Then do you build a third facility? No way.

Good old common sense: Repair the damages as they occur. Believe me, the building at 1700 Vegas Drive shall never collapse.

LAVERN MEYER