Press Release

County Unveils New Handicapped-Accessible Veterans Mini-Bus

New Vehicle Fills County's Need To Provide Veterans Transportation To VA In Albany

FONDA - On Thursday, County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort, members of the County Legislature, the Department of Youth, Alternatives to Incarceration & Veterans' Services and other distinguished guests unveiled the county's brand new handicapped-accessible Veterans mini-bus.

The new mini-bus replaces the county's veterans van, which was being used to bring veterans from throughout the county to the Veterans Affairs Office, in Albany. This is a service that is used by veterans who don't have transportation and is provided by the county free of charge. Previously, getting older veterans or those affected by a disability into and out of the van was an arduous task that made transportation to the clinic more difficult than necessary.

"It was abundantly clear that the previous van wasn't meeting the needs of our county's veterans," Ossenfort said. "This was something that was critical to allow people, who fought for the freedom that we are blessed to have in this country, the ability to get access to the services that they need and deservedly should have access to."

Last June, Ossenfort spent the day drove to the VA, in Albany, with van driver Joe Inglese. That trip was planned to see just how the county could better serve those who have served this country. One of the biggest takeaways of an overwhelmingly positive day was that an upgrade to the transportation that was being provided was not only needed, but necessary.

"This is a great day to see this new vehicle ready for veterans to be able to use," said Brenda Rava, Director of the Department of Youth, Alternatives to Incarceration & Veterans' Services. "I want to thank Executive Ossenfort and the County Legislature for securing the funding that allowed for this purchase that will much better meet the county's needs. Having a bus that is equipped with handicapped-accessibility is something that was sorely needed and now a service we can offer to our veterans."

One of the first people who brought this issue to the forefront of discussion was State Senator George Amedore (R-Rotterdam), who was contacted by a constituent early last year and proceeded to strongly advocate it as a priority to the Executive and County Legislature.

With the need clearly identified, Executive Ossenfort and the Legislature worked together to allocate funding into the 2015 County Budget for the new purchase of the wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

Thursday's ceremony started with a brief speech by Patricia A. Prill, Montgomery County Veterans Service Officer, who welcomed the crowd and the dozen or so veterans in attendance. Retired Colonel Michael O'Dockerty provided the invocation and the benediction. O'Dockery is the Chaplin for Glen-Mohawk Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 942.

If you are a veteran or know a veteran, who is need of services or has any questions, please contact the county's Veterans Service Agency at 518-853-8152.