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Residents, veterans urge Bergen County to restore veteran services staff member
Summary
Multiple veterans and veterans’ organization leaders used public comment at a Bergen County commissioners meeting to urge restoration of veteran services staffing and raised concerns about a vacant position and access to benefits support.
Dozens of veterans and veterans’ advocates told the Bergen County Board of Commissioners during public comment that a recently vacant veteran services position has left clients without timely help and urged county leaders to restore staffing and oversight.
The appeals, made during the board’s public comment period, came from VFW and American Legion leaders and veterans who said a single staff member — named by speakers as Sean Hutchison — provided rapid help obtaining Department of Veterans Affairs paperwork and benefits and that his absence is harming service delivery. "He's very smart. He knows what he's doing, and he's done a phenomenal job so far," said Bruce Young, who identified himself as district 2 commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Speakers described specific failures in the county’s…
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