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Council members discuss DVS funding and performance challenges
0:59:42
·
150 sec
Council members Sandy Nurse, Robert F. Holden, and Joann Ariola express their views on the Department of Veterans Services' (DVS) performance and funding challenges. They argue that the agency's low grade is more reflective of insufficient resources than poor performance, emphasizing the need for increased funding from both the city administration and federal government.
- Council members agree that DVS is severely underfunded and understaffed for its responsibilities
- They suggest that the administration, particularly the mayor, needs to dramatically increase DVS's budget
- The potential benefits of increased funding are highlighted, including improved services for veterans and economic benefits for New York City
Sandy Nurse
0:59:42
Sorry.
0:59:43
I would just say that I I think I haven't read this.
0:59:46
I I did skim through it just now, and I read through your testimony.
0:59:50
And I would say that the c ref to me, reflects more of a lack of commitment from the administration than a 30 something person agency or how many people are here?
1:00:01
37 are hired there.
1:00:03
Like, it's not realistic, and it's not viable for you all to be doing the level that's being asked of with that level of resources.
1:00:12
Resources.
1:00:13
And so I think it's really on the administration to be putting more resources and, quite frankly, on the federal government.
1:00:19
It's the federal government that recruits.
1:00:22
It's the federal government that has the covenant with people, and they should be putting up the resources.
1:00:27
I think it's too much that's being asked right now based on the resources that are being given for you all.
1:00:32
So I just wanna say thank you for what you're doing.
Robert F. Holden
1:00:38
Thank you.
1:00:38
And I would agree with that statement.
1:00:40
And I think everybody would
Joann Ariola
1:00:41
Absolutely.
Robert F. Holden
1:00:42
Who has fair thinking and supports our veterans, supports DVS, that it's a catch 22, where if you don't get the funding, can't do the things that you want to do.
1:00:52
And a smaller staff, not being able to even communicate with your, and especially on self identification, not being able to send even a phone, do a phone survey, but not able to mail is a detriment.
1:01:11
So the funding would have to be increased, so I agree with the council member that the agency is too small, it's underfunded drastically, and our veterans deserve better.
1:01:24
So, I would put it on the administration.
1:01:27
I have said that over and over again.
1:01:29
So, I will meet with the mayor on this to tell him very quickly that we have to increase DVS' budget dramatically if we're And that'll pay dividends and certainly if our veterans get more services and more disability funding from the government, from the VA, and that money, again, that money will be spent in New York City, and New York City will realize an uptick certainly in its finances.
1:01:59
So I think it's a good investment.
1:02:01
So I'll be telling the mayor, and I hope you'll tell the mayor also, Commissioner.
1:02:06
Alright.
1:02:06
Thank you.
1:02:06
Thank you so much for your for your testimony and good job.
1:02:11
Thank you.