Veterans showed up in force Tuesday to voice their opinions to the Nassau County Legislature regarding the recent replacement of the director of the county’s Veteran’s Service Agency by County Executive Ed Mangano – some in favor, others against.
The decision by the county executive to appoint 10-year veteran caseworker and former U.S. Marine Michael Kilbride to replace longtime director Pat Yngstrom has angered some veterans who have been helped by the agency.
Speaking in support Yngstrom, one former service member was brought to tears.
“He helped more vets than anyone else I have ever seen,” said Jerome Delaporta to the legislative body.”I cannot see how you can disregard all the framework that he has done in this county for veterans. If you don’t look at this, then you are blind.”
John Javis, director of special projects for the Mental Health Association of Nassau County of Nassau County and chair of the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island, said Yngstrom was an effective leader that should not have been replaced.
“I would respectfully request that this legislative body consider reinstating him at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.”
In a written statement read by a Korean War veteran Dan Brandi, a member of the county executive’s advisory committee on veterans affairs said the new appointee could never attain the same standards of accomplishment as Yngstrom.
“I implore you not to give into political pressure to ensure that our many brave men and women who along with their families have sacrificed beyond description for you and your families are protected and provide for in their time of need,” said Brandi.
Other veterans spoke in favor of Mangano’s appointee at the public comment section of the legislative meeting in Mineola Tuesday including combat veteran Steven Mendez; Jerry Laricchiuta, a Nassau County union head; former Hempstead Village Mayor James Garner; Hempstead school board member Betty Cross; and an active duty Marine First Sergeant Roger Fortune, who served together with Kilbride in Garden City said he has known Kilbride for more than 30 years both personally and professionally.
“For his knack of knowing the inside and outs of the VA from the ground up, he will be an outstanding director.”
It is the mission of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency to ensure that former military members are receiving the benefits and services that they are entitled to, according to the Nassau County website.
The county Legislature played no role in the appointment of Kilbride.
Brian Nevin, Mangano’s Chief of Staff said Yngstrom was replaced due to his inability to manage his staff and the Veterans Service Agency.
In a letter acquired by Blank Slate Media, John Kavanagh, a service officer with the American Legion, criticized Yngstrom for claim problems and response times to veteran’s affairs earlier this month.
“The quality of your staff’s claim work is also having an affect on the time it takes my staff to process the daily submissions,” stated the letter, dated Feb.1, 2011. “Please contact me so we can resolve the concerns regarding the quality of claims and timely responses to our e-mail and phone inquires.”
Nevin said the letter was “a perfect example” of why Yngstrom was replaced.