By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Contributing Writer
While the summer meeting schedule is light for the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) with only one meeting per month, the agenda continues to address key issues for the community.
The July 23 meeting hosted a packed audience for a presentation on the West LA Veteran’s Administration’s development of a Master Plan for homeless vets.
Janet Turner, District Representative for Congressman Ted Lieu, introduced representatives from the VA, who in turn presented various elements and goals of the Master Plan development.
In developing the plan, the VA is making a concerted effort to solicit feedback from the public. Presentations such as the one to the PPCC are part of that agenda.
Vince Kane, Special Assistant to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, emphasized that the plan being developed will be “vet-focused” with the goal of bringing veterans into safe housing with good access to medical and other services.
Hiring more staff, expanding outreach and increased transparency with the public are among the VA’s goals.
Dr. Jonathan Sherin, National Expert on Veteran Mental Health, emphasized that the VA is making much-needed changes to the organization and the West LA campus. Addressing the needs of veterans here in Los Angeles means more than just providing safe housing.
The Master Plan seeks to revitalize the West LA campus and serve Vietnam vets and women veterans and their specific needs.
They are seeking to provide family services and to give veterans the chance to thrive through education, employment, recreation and benefits assistance.
VA representatives answered many questions from the PPCC Board and the community. Issues such as continued funding for the project, traffic impact, coordination between government agencies, sharing data and resources and land use were all discussed at length.
The West LA Master Plan process kicked off in June 2015 and the final report with recommendations will be submitted in October. Community members are invited to participate in the process.
There are open seats on the PPCC Board for 2nd Area Alternates in areas 1, 2, 7 and 8. Anyone interested in applying can check the PPCC website (pp90272.com) for more information. Applications are due by Aug. 23.
The appeal hearing for the proposed development at 17000 Sunset has been moved to Dec. 2.
While the proposed development was slated for discussion at the Aug. 27 PPCC meeting, plans have not yet been submitted pending the Coastal hearing permit date.
Palisadians Respond to VA Master Plan
Representatives from the VA of West Los Angeles presented a “master plan” to aid homeless veterans at three community and neighborhood councils in West LA.
Vince Kane, director of the VA’s National Homeless Center, discussed ways the VA plans to assist homeless vets at the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) meeting on Thursday, July 23.
“It is important to turn our attention to the heroes of our country and properly support them,” Kane said.
The VA plan includes addressing illegal campus leases and creating programs to respond to immediate veteran needs.
Many Palisadians were knowledgeable about the VA master plan and pointed out that the VA has mishandled money in the past, with at least 20 community members asking questions.
“I hope to God they create a master plan to solve all of these problems,” a Palisadian and Vietnam veteran said. “I only have one thing to say: the screw-ups all come down to the Secretary (Robert McDonald).”
Questions revolved around budget concerns and if the VA has enough money to support the plan.
“Have you allocated enough money to make this last? In the past the VA let things go and stopped working with veterans,” another attendee pointed out.
Palisadians were left with more questions than answers, many leaving disgruntled. Follow-up questions were cut short so the PPCC could proceed with its agenda.
—ALEXANDRIA BORDAS
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