Matt Bozeman, who oversees the Athens veterans office on Market Street, told the Limestone County Commission on Nov. 3 that recent building remediation and flooring work raised health and accessibility concerns for elderly veterans who use the office.

"We have a lot of elderly veterans that come in on oxygen masks," Bozeman said during public comment, describing a recent episode in which remediation contractors put up containment plastic and fans without notifying the VA office. He said veterans arriving for appointments had to maneuver around the containment.

Bozeman said he had solicited donated flooring materials after the county contractor removed carpet and, he reported, a county‑contracted flooring expert told him there was asbestos “everywhere in the building” and that tile was deteriorating and producing dust. "So we're walking on that tile. We're kicking it up," he said.

He also raised an access issue: a Forestry Department truck reportedly has been parked for more than a year in a front spot immediately outside the office, leaving only one handicap space for veterans and forcing some elderly clients to walk a long distance. Bozeman asked the commission to consider reserved veteran parking or other steps to improve access.

Chair acknowledged the comments and said he would seek to have the issues addressed, noting he had not been aware of most of the concerns before the comment. There was no formal vote or action recorded on the floor; the commission noted the concerns and directed staff follow‑up.

Bozeman said he could not confirm exact testing or abatement costs and described his information as coming from a county expert brought in to review the flooring. The commission did not provide a timeline for remediation or parking changes in the session.