To Be CLOSED by Governor
The CalVet Barstow
Veterans Home is a 220-bed facility, that opened in 1996, to provide
independent living,
intermediate care and skilled nursing to California Veterans.
Mission: The
mission of CalVet Homes is "to provide the state's aged or disabled
veterans
with rehabilitative,
residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment."
This mission
acknowledges the tremendous sacrifice California Veterans
have made and
recognizes them for their noble service to our nation.”
State Assembly, Sacramento, California__ Thursday, May 14, 2020
Assemblyman Obernolte (R-Hesperia) issued the following statement in
reference to Governor Newsom’s May Revision budget proposal calling for the
closure of the Barstow Veterans Home.
“I am extremely disappointed that
Governor Newsom is proposing to close our Veterans Home in Barstow due to the
State’s budget deficit. It’s unconscionable to balance the budget on the backs
of our veterans and even worse to displace the 200 residents who currently call
this home – some who have lived here ever since it opened.”
“As the Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and a member
of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Budget Conference Committee,
I will fight against this proposal.”
The Governor may propose the budget, but the Legislature writes it
and I will not idly sit by and allow this home to be closed. Closing it
will only save the state $400,000 in this budget year, but the loss of per-diem
paid to the state by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for these
residents will cost $3 million per year. That math simply doesn’t add up.”
“The Barstow Veterans Home was
originally opened due to its unique proximity to multiple military
installations, including:
Barstow Marine Corps
Logistics Base, National Training Center at Fort Irwin,
Twentynine Palms Marine
Corps Base,
China Lake Naval Air
Weapons Station, and Edwards Air Force Base.
Our community has one of the highest concentrations of Veterans in
the state. The support for this home is
overwhelming. I am committed to ensuring that this home remains a part of our
community.”
Assemblyman
Jay Obernolte represents the 33rd Assembly District, which includes the San Bernardino County
communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Baker, Barstow, Big Bear City, Big Bear
Lake, Big River, Crestline, Fort Irwin, Hesperia, Johnson Valley, Lake
Arrowhead, Lenwood, Lucerne Valley, Needles, Oak Hills, Phelan, Running
Springs, Silver Lakes, Trona, Twentynine Palms Base, Twin Peaks and
Victorville.
Editor’s note: In honor & respect for all Veterans,
of which many of past Veterans are relatives of my family as well as, friends;
I to choose to capitalize their title/name with a V. E T
Russell