Army veteran Bob Fiorito is a prime example of why citizens are encouraged to hold politicians accountable by airing concerns to state and federal elected officials.
A little more than two weeks after Veterans Day, an evening town hall will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the American Legion Post 129 on Barrington Drive in Oak Harbor.
The town hall will include First Gentleman Mike Gregoire, State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, state Reps. Barbara Bailey and Chris Strow, and at least two Island County commissioners who called a special session for the location so they can attend.
Although Fiorito is unsure just how much he had to do with the meeting being scheduled, he has become a familiar name in Sen. Haugen’s office over the last few months.
“This isn’t a veteran-friendly state,” he said. “My intent is always to help the veterans.”
Fiorito was nonplussed earlier this year when he discovered House Bill 1102 mysteriously disappeared off the Senate floor after passing the House by 96-0.
“It came back three days before the cutoff, but that wasn’t enough time,” he said.
Fiorito is a “100 percent service compensated veteran,” he clarified, not “retired because of disability,” the classification used by the state.
“It wasn’t that we fell off a ladder, it’s because we got shot at and bombed defending our country,” he said. “That category opens up a big door for them to take our non-taxable income. Veterans’ benefits are not taxable.”
HB 1102 would modify property tax exemption provisions for veterans of the armed forces. After hearing about what seemed to him a political coup, he started making phone calls. At the time, Haugen recommended holding a town meeting.
It was supposed to happen in September and then in October,” Fiorito said. “I didn’t call this month and I received a call two days ago and was told it’s happening. The veterans need to be taken care of, period.”
The delay was reportedly caused by Haugen’s repeated attempts to involve Sen. Rick Larsen, Fiorito said.
The gathering will provide a venue by which veterans and members of the community are able to have their questions answered and discussed.
Fiorito said besides HB 1102, fee services will be a hot topic. A VA clinic was supposed to be built in Mount Vernon, but instead the veteran, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, must drive to Bellingham and Seattle.
“How is a state named after George Washington, with this many installations, not taking care of its veterans?” he wondered with a shake of his head.
Commissioner Dean said he has been enlightened by conversations he has had with Fiorito.
“Bob Fiorito has, during the last few months, given me some clear insights into the plights of many veterans who live on the islands,” he said. “A lot of them feel like they have been used up and discarded. We need to pick them up again.”
Veterans are not the only group seeking government aid, but Dean said they are certainly worthy of attention. The town hall should successfully bring the issues forward.
“There are, of course, a lot of people these days knocking on the doors of government, seeking help,” the commissioner said. “But there are few who deserve our attention more than the men and women whose lives have been changed forever by killings. I look forward to standing with island veterans and working on ways we can bring some peace to their everyday lives.”
Prior to the Tuesday town hall, a Veterans Appreciation Day and Assistance Fair be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at the same location. It will have service officers available to help with filings claims and discuss other issues like benefits. Veterans will also be able to have their blood pressure checked and speak with an employment counselor.
For more information about the events, contact Gerald Pfannenstiel at 360-929-8028.
