Putting politics aside, the important focus should be what is best for our veterans. The home is beginning to see some veterans returning from recent wars. It is our moral obligation to provide the best services to these returning heroes as well of those of the past who have served their country and many still carrying the physical and psychological scars of war.
As "Bear401" pointed out a new Veterans Home is badly needed. Let's get the mechanism in place by supporting this project. It is my understanding that under General Baccus many changes have been made. I've visited the home and residents are happy. I know members of the staff and have not heard any complaints. However, if problems do exisit then by all means lets get them addressed. A news conference was held earlier tihs week with top state, federal and local officials endorsing support for Question 4 and the 9 million dollar project.
Let's not lose sight of the object. And "Bear401" please email me at david02809@aol.com if you'd like to discuss this further.
David E. Barboza, vice chairman, Bristol Town Council

This article makes one believe that the state will receive matching funds. From what I have read & heard, that is not the case. The total cost of this project will run up to approx $138 million & it's "possible" the state could receive up to $20 million in funds. That's not "matching funds". If anyone could shed more light on this I would appreciate it.

Councilor Barboza is right on target. We shall soon experience even greater need for a satisfactory physical facility due to aging Korean and Vietnam war veterans.
Our by-word should be, "If not for Veterans, then for whom?"
Sanford Gorodetsky, Cmdr. RI Dept. JWV of USA

I will support this project 100%. If the State can give Schilling $38 million, then we can help our aging Veterans. We have a moral obligation to. Dave, I've been in the RIVH quite a bit through work, Gen. Baccus has done an outstanding job since being put in that position!

I find it amazing that we feel a building built in 1954 is in need of being replaced. I know we live in a disposable society, but this is taking it to the extreme. I would rather see an all out request for "in-kind" donations of workers and construction companies to volunteer to repair/replace what is broken. It would be a wonderful project and would probably mean more to the veterans to think that people rallied together to work and improve their home.
As far as supporting the veterans, I would also like to see an all-out push for folks to come and visit the veterans on a regular basis. I have a group that visits the veterans on Christmas morning and we bring cookies and spend the morning with them. You cannot imagine how appreciative they are of people that "give up" (I don't feel it is giving up at all) their Christmas morning to be with them. Last year Brendan Doherty joined us and veteran's had tears in their eyes to think that the Commander of the State Troopers came to see them on Christmas morning. And, before it is mentioned... this was NOT A PHOTO OP for him! No-one but us knew he was there.
Yes, let's remember our veterans with compassion, our time, and our compassion!

Does this building only serve veterans from RI ?

Gina, the home servers any veteran from Rhode Island that meets their qualifications.
And to expand on what Patrick stated, The funding would come from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The amount is uncertain, but as Patrick pointed out they will not commit funds unless the project receives voter approval.

Have to agree with Bear401. There are a lot of problem at that home and the least is the building. There have been problems with the work force for years and years as Bear401 has written about for a long time. A new building will not fix that.

I also question the need for a new building. These tear down and build new trend is becoming insane. I understand why big business does it. But the State could I am sure upgrade the existing building for less than half the price. Not to mention the relocating of the Vets well a new one is being built.

Even if they are building it in a different spot on the land, you can be sure you will then see efforts to turn the old building into some non-profit use for the town I suspect. They do this with building’s all the time in this State and then you will see yet another bond to upgrade the old building for the new plan they will have. Using the “It’s for the Vets” like “It’s for the children” as usual to do other nefarious deeds as usual is disgusting.

This has been the model for decades

I vote for #4 - The veterans of our state need a new home not keep repairing the existing home. These are people who have served to give us freedom and they should have a nice home to care for them - please vote for #4 - The new home will have assisted living and spouses can also stay together which they cannot do now and sometimes due to age, it poses a problem with family members visiting. VOTE FOR #4

If you want to see a real waste of $$ in Veterans Affairs find out on the QT when a Dept Head Meeting is scheduled. The go in & look through the window of the Conference Room. Not only is Every chair around the table taken but there are people sitting along the walls. A conservative estimate would be around 20 people & probably more. A Lot of people with titles. THAT is what the RIVH & Vets Affairs is All about. The architect of all of that is now on the Veterans Advisory Board/Council to the Governor

Very Strange Bear401. I do not recall anything in your post that seemed out of place or not factual for that matter. It appears that opinions are slowly being censored around the patch of late.

For once, lets leave the politics out of this and vote for a new home. Veterans have more then earned the right to live out there lifes in comfort.

The Home was built in 1891, the last work done on the home was in 1964, renovations. We cannot fix and patch the building anymore. It will not hold.
None of the Residents receive Medicare or Medicaid. Very few Residents qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. If we did go to Medicare or Medicaid (which we can't) the State would receive less money than they receive today. The Staff are excellent in giving care and services to the Residents. They are to be commended for being able to work around the buildings issues and make due with conditions of the building. The State could have up to 65% reimbursement from the government on the $94 million.
You have veterans coming back from the wars minuse legs, arms, burn victims, mental issues, PTSD, The services and technology of today and in the future cannot be installed in this old building to accomondate these tramatic injuries.
I have volunteered with the wounded warriors, I see the equipment, etc they need to live with. We need to lighten the burden and make their life as comfortable as we can because of what they went through in the wars and we are safe in our homes. Say yes to question #4, build the new Veterans Home.
Ginny Hanson, Commander DAV, Lawson-Raiola, Chapter 15, Bristol, RI

You can't keep politics out of anything in this state. I never said a new VH should not be built. But it shouldn't be built if the state is going to just continue with what seems to be a never ending stream of incompent politically connected cronies running Veterans Affairs. Patch can eliminate my comments all it wants but that won't change that fact. It's about time people start being honest about what is going on. As I said in a comment that got eliminated, unless you work or have worked there for any length of time as I have then you none of you have any clue about what really goes on there. On renovations the South Building was added in the late 70's. At one time there were over 400 residents in that facility before that wing was built. I used to see the daily census so I know. Today one entire wing (N-7) is completely vacant. A new HVAV system was installed in the late 90's but for some reason not one vent used for the cool air was near any residents room. They were all down near the nurses station on ALL floors. Not surprised at that. Heck a utility closet with towels, wash cloths, sheets, etc had cool air coming in through a vent. But nothing in the hallways where the residents rooms areThey are still trying to use floor fans to blow cool air down nearly 200' hallways to where the residents rooms are. N-3 wasn't even connected to the HVAC system originally. Is the sprinkler system in the new facilty going to be hooked up to a generator? It isn't in this one.

What is it about "matching funds" or "federal money" that makes it hard to understand that it is just more of YOUR taxpayer money? There is NO FREE MONEY! Our veterans deserve to be taken care of in a dignified, safe manner. No one is arguing that. If there is more space needed then it should be provided. Every time I am at the home I see more and more vacant rooms and empty space. Can it be rehabilitated? I am confident that there are many contractors out there who would be more than willing to donate time and maybe even materials to such a worthy cause. Why not start there? It's not a matter of not wanting the best for our veterans... it's a reality check.... There is NO money. Something else will have to go. How about the legislative grants? That would be a start.

Tivertontaxpayer.... That is really uncalled for. We just need to do some reality checks as to how things are going to be paid for. If it is decided to go forward with this project... then something else has to go. It's pretty simple. It could be taking a serious look at the cost of illegal immigration in Rhode Island, for example. That would more than cover it. We just can't have it ALL. Those days are over!

well said

Tivertontaxpayer1 If $94million is a drop in the bucket then it should not require borrowing the money. We should be able to find it in our overall state budget. These are fiscally hard times. WE have to prioritize! I am 100% for putting the Veteran's home at the top of the list... but something else has to go. It should not be hard to find an initiative to cut in order to do this. Think of it as you would your family budget. If you want to purchase something but your budget is strapped already... you find ways to cut things so that you can make the purchase.
I still don't understand why organized labor keeps cropping up. Do you know something I don't about promises made to organized labor involving this project?

Thank you all for your active participation on this issue. Just a quick reminder to refrain from name-calling and unproven accusations. I've had to delete a couple comments that violated our Terms of Use for those reasons. Otherwise, keep at it. This is definitely a conversation worth having.

"especially when the Feds kick in"..... That is not free money.... That is our taxpayer money. Why do you not realize that?
Again, I don't even know how the conversation got turned to tradesman, union or otherwise. And I don't know any $5.00 hour chumps. Maybe you are referring to my suggestion that contractors may want to donate time and material to this project? I have a hard time following your train of thought.
I will say it again. If the project is a top priority, (which we all believe it is), then they can eliminate something else in the budget to pay for it. $94Million is a drop in the bucket when you are looking at the waste and duplicity of the budget. It will be easy to find. We just can't afford to borrow it.

To be absolutely clear..... I am 100% behind the best accommodations we can provide for our veterans. We cannot afford to borrow the money. We need to find another way. And, if there is no other way for some some strange reason, I think we can renovate the home, as we do to old schools for our children, and substantially improve their home.

Marina, Let me put some perspective on the issue. As someone who's father lived in the facility for sixteen years I will speak from first hand experience because I was there daily. We need the home for the following reasons: It has outlived it's ability to meet the needs of returning Vets, It is an antiquated facility that lacks the modern technology to be in line with twenty first century medical standards, It was poorly designed with a flat roof and a history of leaks. The expansive distance one must travel in a wheelchair to and from dining and activities is no longer an option. The sloping grade from the So. building to the No. building is not feasible for someone with a physical handicap.The main lobby floor is an irregular surface and causes great physical pain to those with spine and neurological injuries. The units must be equipped with indwelling oxygen units both for safety and ease of access- I could go on and on. Your suggestion that the home could be renovated is way off mark, in fact it would cost more to renovate than to tear down and begin from scratch. NOW is the time to build the home while the interest rates are low, our vets have earned it, and I cannot see a better use of tax dollars than to assure that our veterans are cared for in a top notch facility. Gen. Baccus and his team are doing a great job there with what they have to work with but the fact remains that the band-aid box is just about empty and we MUST get this bond passed on Nov. 6th.

Marina, spare me the lecture. I am an educated AMERICAN. You can take your unamerican comments someplace else. Do not try to undermine the efforts to get this done, this project can not wait one more day. OUR VETERANS DESERVE NOTHINGLESS.

I adore this man's Obama shirt.

Marina Peterson and her fellow East Bay Patriots are at it again trying to use phony information to prove their point. The link she cites is to a ProJo Politifcats that the ProJo found to be UNTRUE and FALSE. Why doesn't she just admit it, anything to help people, in this case our deserving Veterans, she is against.

Marina you are incorrect the aricle you refer to is from the Providence Journal and this is what they said about the facts you cite: "The $400 million figure he repeatedly cites sounds authoritative. But three of his four categories are based on numbers that are outdated, grossly inflated or have no documentation. Thus, the inflammatory assertion that illegal immigrants drain the state of $400 million a year -- $400 for every man, woman and child in Rhode Island -- is ridiculously high.
And because inflammatory, ridiculous assertions qualify for our worst rating, we rule Pants On Fire!"

I say build, build, build. No one deserves new state of the art facilities than our vets. To compare them to children and schools is an abomination. Schools are for young mostly agile youngsters who don't need oxygen, talented nurses and care. Rehab for the new young vets without limbs, and Viet Nam and Gulf war vets and Afghan vets is not an option. If Obama can spend 250 billion on 400 jobs (stimulus) we better consider this a top priority.

As I read any objections to building this new home I want to be sick. WHEN WILL WE REALIZE THE SACRIFICE these men and women have made for us? I am so sick of our veterans being treated like a burden. I find it heart warming that you visit the home at christmas time MP. But I can assure you that visiting it a few times a year doesn't paint a true picture. I can tell you because I spent most of my adolesence there visiting my dad, over 15 years of my life. So when you speak about this home like you are an authority on it I can assure you, others know much more than you on this matter and the fact that you feel it appropriate to say it needs only renovations is shameful. The building is not only a safety hazard for these vets it isn't condusive to their quality of life, their rehab, or medical or social needs. The building should have been torn down years ago. When our Vets have to wheel themselves around 5 gallon buckets catching rain that has been dripping through the building its not a minor issue nor is the mold and mildew caused by these leaks. I have seen on more than a few occasions men trying to wheel themselves in two seperate area's of this home that have very steep inclines start rolling out of control. The shower area is way to far for wheel chair persons and not private at all. The rooms are too small for hoya lifts and wheel chairs. This home should be rebuilt asap! It is our duty to repay these guys with a state of the art facility. ~ a true patriots daughter.

Vote yes on # 4 for the following reason:

Our military is all volunteer, these men & woman who live at the facility stood up and volunteered their lives and personal well being for our freedom; a freedom which most of us take for granted.

If they need a new facility to live in, we should all be doing everything in our power to afford them a decent place to live and get the care for their needs. There are parts of the building that the heat and air conditioning are unable to be controlled. Some hallways and rooms are 75 degrees, others are 60. Case in point, last month the elevator had a fire in the mechanical room and was non-functioning for almost a week, residents were unable to access the lower level of the facility to interact with staff, or participate in activities. These little things may not seem like a big deal to you, but when you live in a facility and depend on simple things such as an elevator, it is a major complication in their lives when something like this becomes interrupted.

After all, they weren't asked to help us, but we should be thanking them in an appropriate way for their invaluable service and sacrifice not only to the State, but this great nation.

Please, vote YES on #4.

Well said Rick!!! Vote YES on #4

Rick-You have to realize Marina doesn't care about veterans. All she cares about are the teabagger causes, which include giving more tax breaks to billionares such as the Koch brothers, Donald Trump, and Sheldon Adelson, and helping the king teabagger Romney hide more of his billions while the veterans suffer.

VOTE YES ON #4!

Hey b kcaj.... There are no stronger supporters of the veterans than teabaggers! And they have constantly supported the military and our veterans even when it wasn't "in vogue". That is why we are adamant that it should be a priority in our state's budget to build this home... not farmed off to some referendum where if it doesn't pass our legislators can say... "oh well, we tried". They can and should find the funds to do this NOW!

Marina-Here's a novel idea for you-If you're so worried about borrowing a few bucks to build a new home for our disabled veterans, why don't you ask your buddy Romney to donate a small fraction of his billions he has hidden in offshore bank accounts?

It's obvious the only reason why you and your buddy Jack are against this project is because of the t-shirt that the veteran is wearing at the beginning of this story.

Mrs. Peterson:

If we asked the legislature to reallocate the $95 million for this project, where would they pull the $ from? The 2013 RI state budget is $ 1.4 Billion Dollars. This project would take up about 1/2 of the State budget IF we followed your suggestion. What would you like to see cut?
RIPTA, Infrastructure repairs, perhaps higher education, public safety? Not to mention we would lose the Federal Funding that also is allocated for this project.

You claim to be educated, you are a very vocal person online, perhaps you should read this publication from the Secretary of State which fully outlines all 7 ballot initiatives this election:
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/elections/VoterHandbook_2012.pdf

Pay special to page 14 which fully outlines the interest rates.

The money allocated will also create jobs, from land clearing, to site work, architectural plans, construction and materials to landscaping, all of this will be infused into the economy, not to mention all of the employees hired to construct this will also be pumping money into the local shops for goods & services such as lunch, breaks etc.

Your ideology of taking money and reallocating it is akin to the "Rob Peter to pay Paul" scheme. Clearly taking money from the current budget isn't economically viable, had it been, I'm certain that our elected officials wouldn't have tried to reinvent the wheel on this matter.

You have to keep in mind Rick, it wouldn't matter to Marina if building the new veterans home half the state budget, one percent of the state budget, or 50 cents-it's all about her teabagger philosophy. If the new veterans home ballot question passes it might mean some billionaire would have to pay an extra dollar or two in taxes next year, and we know how Marina and her fellow teabaggers love to protect the billionaires and destroy the middle class.

And don't forget, the job of building the new veterans home might be done by unionized laborers, which is a dirty term in Marina's vocabulary.

Marina and her Eastbay Un-Patriots trying to defeat a bond referendum for our Veterans.

Mariana typical of you totry and through something that has no revelance like illegal aliens at the bond referendum for our Veterans. Why do you tell us how muck is spent on illegal aliens and how much is spent on our Veterans

Never mind Marina I just saw your made up figures. By the way these figures were all proven wrong by the Providence Journal years ago. Stop taking aim at our Veterans to try and prove your unrealistic point

I am voting "NO" on all referenda; until the pols can show some responsibility in controlling waste and fraud-----not another penny!