MONROE COUNTY UPDATE: DAV POST 122

MARATHON, FL – Following the last renewal of the DAV Post 122 lease five years ago, which set the termination date of the lease with DAV in June 2020, Monroe County Veterans Affairs, the County Attorney, the County Administrator and several County commissioners have attended several meetings with DAV to offer a multitude of help with planning for the relocation of DAV.

The County repeatedly informed the DAV that when this lease term expires in June 2020 there would be no further renewals and County staff began to seek ways to help the veteran organization. Starting in September 2018, the organization was offered space in an empty county office where they could perform their core functions, as well as access to the government center meeting rooms to conduct meetings. The organization was also offered a buyout of its current lease and financial assistance from the County in finding a new location at that time.

Not for lack of effort on behalf of the County, the problem has been the County’s inability to have DAV interested in receiving any help.

The County is not shutting down the DAV. The County has no authority to shut down a nonprofit organization, nor would the County want to since it believes the more resources available to veterans the better. In addition, as there were no accredited DAV personnel to prepare, present, and prosecute claims as per the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the County’s Veterans Affairs office has two employees who have the required accreditation and is the only organization in Monroe County able to perform those DAV duties.

The DAV has also had its license to serve alcohol permanently revoked on Feb. 5, 2020, which was determined by the DAV National Headquarters who oversees the local operation due to the bar/lounge fundraising aspect of the Marathon organization “continually operating at a loss.” The National Headquarters suspended them on Dec. 9, 2019 due to the local organization failing to provide financial records. The suspension, as well as a lack of proof of insurance, is a violation of the lease terms with the County. Before the County took any action, DAV was informed that they were in violation of the terms of their lease and given the opportunity to correct the violations of its lease terms. To date, those violations have not been corrected.

In most recent efforts, Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane, who is a disabled veteran herself, attended DAV meetings starting in November 2019 to work with the chapter toward transition plans prior to its suspension with the National Headquarters and until the local chapter advised the National Headquarters of plans to disband the local chapter. Crane was an Army Sergeant who served in Iraq in 2003-2004 and in Korea in 1996-1997. The local DAV chapter oftentimes failed to return calls and declined any assistance from her or the County. Crane has documented the attempted calls to DAV made since Nov. 2019.

At a Dec. 4, 2019 meeting with DAV Post 122, DAV said they had no plans to relocate, per the Commander and members present and that they were unsure what their needs were other than a need for a parking lot and a bar/lounge. Crane, who attended the meeting offered more suggestions, including,

  • Suggested purchasing three locations in Marathon under $500,000.
  • Suggested purchasing property north or south of Marathon.
  • Suggested starting a mutual relationship with the American Legion in Marathon to host meetings, as many Veterans organizations form relationships like this.
  • Suggested seeking out a restaurant who could benefit from a mutual relationship of having a bar/lounge; such as, VFW in Key Largo at Arthur’s Restaurant.
  • Offered to request office space in a county building.

At that time, DAV stated at the meeting to Crane that they were only interested in being able to have a bar/lounge and declined all suggestions. These suggestions were revisited by Crane in follow up conversations, which DAV has continued to decline.

Monroe County Veterans Affairs incorporated new and enhanced satellite services in the Middle Keys for veteran clients, which began in January. The office will provide all services supported by the department for all Middle Keys veteran clients every third Friday at the Marathon library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (1000-1400). Walk-ins are welcome or to schedule an appointment, veterans can call 305-295-5150 or 305-453-8777. If demand warrants, additional days will be added. In addition, Monroe County Veterans Affairs has always and will continue to work with veterans countywide, including field visits to those who cannot make it into the offices. For more information on Monroe County Veteran Affairs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.

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