PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joe Bello, Member of the Public
1:32:41
·
133 sec
Joe Bello provides clarifications and criticisms regarding the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) testimony, pointing out inaccuracies in their claims about various programs and collaborations. He also expresses concerns about transparency issues and the vagueness of proposed legislation.
- Highlights discrepancies in DVS's testimony about their involvement in veteran programs
- Criticizes the lack of transparency around the post-9/11 Veterans Memorial
- Suggests that DVS staff should better introduce themselves to the veteran community
- Expresses inability to support current bills due to their vagueness and need for improvement
Joe Bello
1:32:41
Hello.
1:32:41
Okay.
1:32:42
Joe Bello.
1:32:43
I was going to testify, but, after listening to, DVS's testimony, I wanted to at least clear the record on some of these things that they testified that they're doing.
1:32:53
So they, claimed that they did a pair program with the Social Design Women Veterans Portrait Project.
1:32:59
To be clear, that took place in 2015 prior to them becoming DVS.
1:33:02
That was the mayor's office of Veterans Affairs.
1:33:05
Their, pair with the theater of war, that happened in 2017.
1:33:10
Their collaboration with The Crew, as the commissioner is aware, this came up at a VAB meeting 2 years ago and subsequently, they never did any outreach.
1:33:21
They received funding from NYU, but they DVS never did outreach on DeCruitt's behalf.
1:33:28
Additionally, as I said in the previous testimony, I mean, the previous hearing that we did, regarding the post 911 Veterans Memorial, I submitted a FOIA to DBS, and they have told me with a number of questions because there's been no transparency around that post 911 Memorial.
1:33:46
And they are telling me that they will get me results, they will get me some answers hopefully by February 26, 2025.
1:33:53
So, once again, in fact, after that hearing, about a week later, they then posted the names of the members of the board.
1:34:02
So they hadn't even done that until after the testimony.
1:34:10
The other thing I would say too is, so we had a devious individual here named, Curtis Dorel.
1:34:17
A lot of veterans don't know who he is.
1:34:19
I mean, I know he runs the social media.
1:34:21
I know it.
1:34:22
But a lot of veterans don't.
1:34:24
I would have recommended that, perhaps in one of those Friday newsletters they put out, he should introduce himself to the community.
1:34:31
I've met him at a couple of events, so I do know who he is, but I know most of the community does not.
1:34:36
And other than that, the only thing I would say about the intros and bills, currently, I can't support them as is because they are vague and they need a lot of work and I think a lot of testimony like what you just heard, around them.
1:34:48
So that that's but you have my testimony particularly on arts and how important it is, and I'll leave it at that.
1:34:54
Thank you.
Robert Holden
1:34:54
If you could also come up with you know, if you have some suggestions for the bills.
