BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – It’s a project that everyone, it seems, agrees is needed. But despite near universal support, some Raleigh County and state officials wonder why progress has been so slow on a veterans’ nursing facility near the former Pinecrest Hospital (now Jackie Withrow Hospital) location in Beckley.
Recently, state officials as well as two Raleigh County legislators toured the site near the old barn at the former farm location.
With maps of the property in hand, they walked part of the 15 acres and pointed out spots where various parts of the new facility can be built. It was a friendly meeting with the consensus opinion that it is time to move rapidly. No major obstacles to moving the project forward although some property surveying is still needed.
Delegate Mick Bates (R-Raleigh) helped get the group together on a rainy day in Beckley.
“The wheels on this project seem to move slowly,” Bates said. “They say a squeaking wheel gets the most attention, so we’re trying to squeak this one a little.”
Delegate Christopher Toney (R-Raleigh) also attended. Department of Veterans Assistance Cabinet Secretary Edward “Ted” Diaz was present as well as Deputy Cabinet Secretary Randy Coleman and DVA Director of Operations, Daryle Bayless. SLS Land and Energy Development representative James Mitchell rounded out the group.
There appeared to be unanimous agreement that the project is needed. It was originally envisioned as more or less the Southern West Virginia equivalent of the existing veterans nursing home in Clarksburg.
But local officials and Raleigh County lawmakers have been concerned with when construction might begin here for years. Newspaper clippings detailing the project from 2016 to the present mirror many of the questions being asked during the recent tour.
One major difference, however, is that in 2016, a concern was lack of sufficient funding to complete the project.
Now, Bates and state officials praised Governor Jim Justice and others for assuring that the project is fully funded with 65% coming from the federal government and 35% from the state.
Bates, a former Democrat at the time, said, “I have to give Governor Justice (a Republican) credit. I went to him, told him what we needed and he said, ‘you’ve got it.'”
Supplemental appropriations from the legislature as well as the Governor’s infusion of funds completed the state funding package. In the meantime, United States Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) along with Congresswoman Carol Miller threw their support behind the plans, helping assure the needed federal dollars.
All three federal representatives said they are closely following and working with the state Department of Veterans Assistance on the planned facility.
Back in 2016, the legislature passed a fireworks bill (House Bill 2852) which made it legal for West Virginia businesses to sell “Class C” fireworks.
As part of the 2016 law, signed by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, lawmakers imposed a statewide 12 percent excise tax, called the Fireworks Safety Fee, on fireworks and mandated a $1,000 registration fee for businesses that sold them.
The law required that three-quarters of all fees and taxes collected be placed in the Veterans’ Facility Support Fund. The money was earmarked for building the nursing home in Beckley and maintaining the existing home in Clarksburg.
Del. Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh) pointed out in 2019 that the state had made no move to begin the project in Raleigh County.
“There was directed tax dollars that was supposed to go for that, from the sale of fireworks, and we haven’t seen a nursing home materialize,” Steele said at the time. “I would like answers on it.”
Between 2016 and January 2019, the state collected more than $2.1 million in taxes and fees from fireworks sales statewide, according to data from the West Virginia Tax Department. Of that, more than $1.5 million ($1,565, 529) was placed in the Veterans’ Facility Support Fund.
In 2019, local legislators and county commissioners complained about lack of communication with the DVA. That’s no longer a problem, Toney said.
“We talk,” he said. “Progress is coming slower than we’d like.”
The late Dennis Davis, who preceded Diaz, was totally positive about the project in 2019.
“We’re next door to Pinecrest,” he said at the time. “It’s about 17 acres up there, provided to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
“We don’t have anything down on the lower end of the southern part of the state, and it’s desperately needed because there’s veterans down there that need that type of care, and the only way we’re going to be able to get that is if we provide a nursing facility for them,” Davis added.
Congresswan Miller said, “Our veterans are heroes, and they deserve the best care possible. The Beckley VA Nursing Home should be funded as quickly as possible. I commend state leaders for shepherding this process, and look forward to the state and federal Departments of Veterans Affairs moving swiftly to provide the needed funds to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of southern West Virginia’s heroes.”
A spokesperson for Senator Manchin commented, “As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Senate Appropriations Committees, Senator Manchin is committed to helping West Virginia veterans receive the care and support they need and deserve. He looks forward to working with the Beckley VA and state officials to apply for the funds needed to complete the Beckley VA Nursing Home.”
A spokesperson for Senator Capito pointed out that she is a member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. which has provided grants for the Beckley facility.
“In the meantime, the spokesperson continued, “Senator Capito and our office have been tracking the progress of this project and continue to be supportive of any effort to enhance and improve care and availability.”
Bates promised to keep the “squeaking wheel” turning. “This is one project we’re going to get done” he said with a wisp of a smile.