A northern Wisconsin county has signed off on extending a temporary position to help meet the needs of veterans there although some veterans say they fear it won’t be enough to meet demand after the county fired its veterans’ service officer this fall.
The Douglas County Veterans’ Service Office has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of veterans seeking services over the last two years. Veterans are concerned the two remaining staff won’t be able to handle their cases. County Board Member John Robinson said the board approved making a temporary position full-time next year to maintain veterans’ services.
“There’s a concern whether they’re going to have the same level or not, but, between Ellen Oaks and Carissa Skifstad, I think that everything will be taken care of,” said Robinson.
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But Butch Liebaert, president of the Lake Superior Chapter’s Retired Enlisted Association, said veterans will be underserved.
“Now, it’s down to two,” said Liebaert. “Sometimes, you have people waiting to be seen. If they wait too long, they get up and go.”
Douglas County Administrator Andy Lisak couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
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