Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
REMARKS
Council member Ariola discusses Veterans Committee and budget concerns
1:39:07
·
49 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola addresses concerns about the Veterans Committee's commitment and the Department of Veterans Services' budget and staffing issues.
- Ariola emphasizes that all committee members care about veterans' issues
- She acknowledges the need for increased accountability from the City Council and administration
- Ariola highlights the persistent problem of inadequate funding for the Department of Veterans Services
- She mentions staff retention issues due to better job opportunities elsewhere
Joann Ariola
1:39:07
Doctor.
1:39:07
Everyone on this committee really does care.
1:39:10
Otherwise, they can be asked to be removed from the committee.
Christopher Leon Johnson
1:39:12
Miller: But she won't be removed.
1:39:13
I'm not not him.
Joann Ariola
1:39:14
I'm just saying they can ask.
1:39:15
So if they're on this committee, which is a small committee, you know, relatively Yeah.
1:39:20
Compared to other committees, So everybody does care and everybody wants to do the right thing.
1:39:25
And I do agree to a point where yes, the city council has to be held accountable, the administration has to be held accountable, and more money has to be put into the Department of Veterans Services.
1:39:37
Because, yes, we do hear the same thing all the time.
1:39:41
Why?
1:39:42
Because their budget number never goes up.
1:39:45
Never goes up.
1:39:45
And they have, as Joe Bello mentioned, an issue with retention because people get better jobs elsewhere
Armando Crescenzi
1:39:52
Yeah.
Joann Ariola
1:39:52
That they can work less.
1:39:54
So I agree with you, and I thank you for your testimony.
Christopher Leon Johnson
1:39:56
Yeah.