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Veterans and advocates urge supervisors not to relocate county Veterans Affairs to courthouse
Summary
Multiple veterans and community members told the board that moving the Woodbury County Veterans Affairs office downtown would reduce accessibility for veterans, citing ADA, parking and PTSD concerns; speakers asked the board to consider alternative locations or to leave the office in its current location.
Several veterans and advocates used the public-comment period to urge the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors to keep the Veterans Affairs office at its current location and not move it to the county courthouse.
Bridal Fleming, who identified herself as "commander of post 64 in Sioux City," said, "The courthouse is not, from what I understand, properly ADA compliant," and described mobility and parking problems that could hamper veterans who rely on wheelchairs and other accommodations. Other speakers echoed that concern: Greg Boyd told the board, "You just can't have our veterans being treated like that," while Vicky Hall expressed worries about PTSD and anxiety for veterans confronting downtown traffic and building access. John Mansfield and Terry Weaver also described personal and community experiences with the existing Veterans Affairs services and urged the board to retain the current site or consider alternatives with better access and parking.
Speakers asked the board to explore other possible locations such as the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) or to ensure any move preserves accessibility and parking. The comments prompted the chair to address circulating media reports during board concerns (see separate article) and to reiterate that no relocation has been approved.
