Veteran urges Lake Stevens council to reinstate Veterans Commission amid VA staffing concerns

During the public‑comment period March 25, resident and veteran Matthew Fortin asked the Lake Stevens City Council to reinstate the city’s Veterans Commission, saying recent reductions at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are causing concern among local veterans.

Fortin identified himself as a 13‑year Lake Stevens resident and veteran and described national developments he said had affected VHA staff levels: the removal of an inspector general and a change in VA leadership. He told council the result has been staff reductions and that local veterans are seeking a way to collect their comments and forward them to congressional representatives.

Fortin asked the council to reinstate the Veterans Commission “with immediate effect so we can gather the comments from the veterans in this community to pull together and send to our representatives in DC.” The council acknowledged the comment; no formal action or motion to reinstate the commission was taken during the meeting.

The transcript records Fortin’s request and the council’s receipt of the comment; staff or council follow-up instructions were not recorded.