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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Matos, US Coast Guard Veteran and Veterans Advocate
1:51:04
·
112 sec
Michael Matos, a US Coast Guard veteran and advocate, testified on the City Council's report card for the Department of Veterans Services (DVS). He commended the transparency initiative but emphasized that DVS's main issue is underfunding, which limits its capabilities and staff resources.
- Matos praised the DVS team's dedication but noted they are overworked and need more staff.
- He suggested that increasing funding is crucial to improving DVS's grade and capabilities.
- Matos acknowledged the shift towards digital services but stressed the need for resources to implement these changes effectively.
Michael Matos
1:51:04
Can everyone hear me?
1:51:05
Perfect.
1:51:06
Good afternoon, everyone.
1:51:07
My name is Mike Montos.
1:51:08
I'm a US Coast Guard veteran.
1:51:10
I've been advocating for the veteran community for about five years now.
1:51:13
And first off, I'd like to say about the city council report card.
1:51:18
I think it's a very good thing that we started a process where we can increase transparency on how our city agencies are working, what's not working, what can be improved and such.
1:51:28
I think especially during our time in a broad political climate in our country, we need more transparency as ever.
1:51:35
So I do commend the efforts there.
1:51:39
When it comes to DVS, I understand that there are there is criticism.
1:51:42
There is things to be worked on and such.
1:51:44
I think we can all agree from hearing from my advocates and the city council members that, to my understanding, the biggest issue we're having here is funding.
1:51:52
You can't have an increased capability of an agency without properly funding the task forces that come with it that require the teams that are put together to accomplish the things that need to be done.
1:52:05
Right?
1:52:06
So we're thinking about things that need to be done and how we can move forward from this and increase that grade for the DVS.
1:52:15
We basically just need to look at increasing funding.
1:52:18
That's my overreaching comment there.
1:52:22
Now I do know the team of the DVS.
1:52:25
I've spoken to numerous amounts of them.
1:52:26
And one thing I will say, they are dedicated to the veteran community.
1:52:30
These individuals are overworked.
1:52:31
I've spoken to them on all levels.
1:52:33
They need help.
1:52:34
They need increase in staffing.
1:52:36
We I understand we're moving towards the digital age, so I understand there's a frustration when it comes to, like, snail mail, like some of my colleagues have mentioned before.
1:52:45
And again, that just goes to my understanding, it goes back to increasing that funding, increasing the capability to do these things.
1:52:52
So I'll make it short because I kinda came here on my break from work to
Armando Crescenzi
1:52:56
testify real