Barstow, Ca. – During the June 17th board meeting of the Barstow Community College Board of Trustees, a resolution was unanimously approved by the Board in support of the local Veterans Home which was slated for closure in the recently proposed budget cuts from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office earlier last month.
The Board resolution provided a clear indication that the College Trustees with the support of the Superintendent/President, and the Community at Large, would continue its efforts in raising awareness of the issue and would join in the legislative process to prevent the closure of the facility.
In May, Governor Newsom cited a potential $54 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2020-21 with plans to initiate the closure of the facility that was founded in 1996 and is home to nearly 200 veterans.
“The College supports our local Veterans Home, and we want to send a message to Sacramento that closing the facility is not an option we are willing to accept,” stated Barstow Community College Board President Tim Heiden. “The Veterans are an extended part of our college family, and when our family faces adversity, we stand together to meet those challenges head-on.”
The proposed budget revisions further cited an annual savings of approximately $400,000 dollars, but in a letter from local members of the California State Legislature to the Governor, the budget revisions failed to recognize the potential loss of $3 million annually in per diems from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which far outweighed the proposed cost savings.
“I am happy to announce that the Legislature’s 2020-21 Budget has rejected Governor Newsom’s proposal to close the Barstow Veteran’s Home,” stated 33rd District Assemblyman Jay Obernolte. “Cuts have been shifted to areas that aren’t going to be impactful to the very same people were trying to help.”
Assemblyman Obernolte who also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee expressed ongoing concerns regarding the scope of the current recession and additional Federal funding to states in the future, particularly California.
“We are here for the long haul to make certain we can maintain that residence towards the stability of the Veterans it serves,” stated Barstow Community College Superintendent/President Dr. Eva Bagg. “We will continue to enhance and strengthen the partnership between the college, the Veterans home, and the entire community.”
The resolution further states that should the State of California disestablish the aforementioned Veterans Home and cease operations, Barstow Community College and its Board of Trustees would maintain the first right of refusal to purchase all structures, roadways and facilities at fair market value in accordance with the Grant Deed as signed on November 17, 1992; signaling the college’s commitment to the potential fight to keep the Veterans Home open for the City and region.
“I am glad the closure of the Veterans Home has been postponed; our Board Resolution tonight is a clear message to Sacramento that this is a fight we intend to carry on,” stated Board President Heiden.
For additional information please contact Amanda Simpson – Director of Public Relations at 760-252-2411 ext. 7348 or by email at: asimpson@barstow.edu
Barstow Community College District
Resolution No. 03/2019-2020
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA - BARSTOW
Whereas, the Barstow Community College District and the Veterans Home of California– Barstow have fostered an ongoing partnership in support of our nation’s Veterans throughout the region spanning a period of almost 3 decades.
Whereas, in November of 1992 the Barstow Community College District granted land to the State of California Department of Veterans Affairs for the construction of a Southern California Veterans Home.
Whereas, in February of 1996 the Veterans Home of California-Barstow opened its doors with a 220 bed capacity, providing options for Domiciliary (Independent Living), Intermediate Care, and Skilled Nursing Care.
Whereas, Barstow Community College recognizes that the Veterans Home of California-Barstow has served as a midway point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas providing California Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth.
Whereas, Barstow Community College continues its mission to offer cultural and educational enrichment opportunities for residents of the Veterans Home and Military Personnel throughout the region.
Whereas, it is the fundamental belief of the Barstow Community College District Board of Trustees that dignity and respect for our Veterans is a priority for our community college and region.
Whereas, Barstow Community College continues to demonstrate its support for both active duty and former military members and Veterans, by providing successful basic skills programs to obtain the qualifications needed to advance themselves in various positions within the military and retirement.
Whereas, in 2013 the Barstow Community College continued its mission to meet Veterans needs more effectively and urgently through the creation of the Veterans Resource Center and the Student Veterans Organization, dedicating resources in educational counseling and benefit certification programs to serve our regional military personnel both active duty and retired.
Whereas, In 2018 the Barstow Community College launched the Veterans Education and Transitional Support (VETS) Program to provide transitional assistance from military to civilian life. Through academic support, education planning and incentivized participation, Veterans achieve the student success skills necessary for career and economic advancement.
Whereas, Barstow Community College collaborates with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/High Desert Vet Center to provide mental health and rehabilitation counseling to help mitigate transportation issues for services that were only available outside the immediate region.
Whereas, in May of 2020 the State’s Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the Veterans Home of California-Barstow was to be slated for closure due to ongoing statewide budget deficits.
Whereas, The Barstow Community College Board of Trustees have shown their unanimous support and strong objection to the closure of the Veterans Home; should the State of California disestablish the aforementioned Veterans Home and cease operations, Barstow Community College and its Board of Trustees maintain the first right of refusal to purchase all structures, roadways and facilities at fair market value in accordance with the Grant Deed as signed on November 17, 1992.
Be It Resolved, The Barstow Community College Board of Trustees strongly opposes the disestablishment of the Veterans Home of California-Barstow and strongly encourages California Governor Gavin Newsom to reconsider his proposed budget cuts and review any fiscal alternatives to prevent the closure of the Barstow Facility.
Be It Further Resolved, With the support of the Barstow Community College Board of Trustees, the Superintendent/President, and the Community at Large, we will continue our efforts to raise awareness of the numerous sacrifices that both our Veterans and active duty Military Personnel have made for our Nation, and we join them in the legislative process to defend against the closure of the Veterans Home of California- Barstow.
Resolution No. 03/2019-2020
Adopted by the Board of Trustees
This 17th day of June, 2020
_______________________________
Timothy T. Heiden
President, Board of Trustees
P R O C L A M A T I O N
In Support of the Veterans Home of California – Barstow
By the Barstow Community College District
Whereas, the Barstow Community College District and the Veterans Home of California– Barstow have fostered an ongoing partnership in support of our nation’s Veterans throughout the region spanning a period of almost three decades.
Whereas, Barstow Community College recognizes that the Veterans Home of California-Barstow has served as a midway point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas providing California Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth and is also a vital part of our community and region.
Whereas, it is the fundamental belief of the Barstow Community College District that dignity and respect for our Veterans is a priority for our community college and region.
Whereas, in May of 2020 the State’s Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the Veterans Home of California-Barstow was to be slated for closure due to ongoing statewide budget deficits.
Whereas, Barstow Community College proclaims its unanimous support and strong objection to the closure of the Veterans Home; and with the support of the Barstow Community College Board of Trustees, the Superintendent/President, and the Community at Large, will continue efforts to raise awareness of the numerous sacrifices that both Veterans and active duty Military Personnel have made for the Nation, and join in the legislative process to defend against the closure of the Veterans Home of California- Barstow.
Proclaimed this 17th day of June, 2020
_______________________________
Tim Heiden
President, Board of Trustees
Paul Wilkey
Phil Harris
Fernando Baca
Dr. Ted Baca
