Veterans Service Director Robin Brown resigns

Highland County Veterans Services Executive Director Robin Brown has resigned, effective July 31.

In a June 28 letter to the Veterans Service Commission Board, Brown said, "It is with very deep regret that I submit my resignation effective July 31. After much thought and very careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the current work environment between our public officials and me has become far too hostile to provide timely access and efficient services for our Highland County veterans. 

"This is a job that is far too important to me, of which lately has not been effectively performed appropriately due to obstacles that have been placed before me as a deterrent, which has prevented me from focusing on the best possible services for our veterans."

Brown began serving as director in January. 

After a recent VSC board meeting, Brown was called a "liar" by Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst during a public meeting of the commissioners. Horst also accused Brown of "stirring a lot of crap."

According to Brown, past budgeting practices within the Veterans Service Commission have resulted in $827,000 of potential veterans' funding over the past five years that has been returned to the county's general fund.

Brown said she was told there was a "gentlemen's agreement" not to fund the veterans office to the maximum rate allowed by Ohio law.

At the June 27 meeting of the Highland County commissioners and the Veterans Service Commission, county commissioner Shane Wilkin asked VSC members if they were aware of any "gentlemen's agreement."

Not one VSC board member present said he was aware of such an agreement.

In her letter of resignation, Brown said, "The delay in an immediate departure will allow for ample time to post the upcoming vacant position, the VSC to conduct proper interviews, and to select a new director. Hopefully, this delay will also allow for some type of turnover to suffice in continuing services for financial assistance and bill processing without the lack of an extreme learning curve on the part of the new director.

'The concern that is most important now is that the Veterans Service Office is served by someone who is fully experienced and capable of continuing to move forward with the goals that have been set, taking care of those staff who will continue to serve the operation, and the new director’s approach, which should be one of enthusiasm and allegiance to support the veterans of Highland County."

Brown's resignation comes shortly after the May resignation of former VSC board president Richard Kisamore.

As previously reported by The Highland County Press, last month, Richard Kisamore, the former president of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission requested to the Highland County Board of Commissioners and the Highland County prosecutor that a special legal counsel be appointed, and a hearing be scheduled regarding an alleged "budget dispute."

In a May 24 letter to the board of commissioners and Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, saying the he had received communications from county officials regarding the budget the commission had submitted to the county, Mr. Kisamore wrote:

"The budget in question was a lawful, appropriated budget. The Ohio Department of Veterans Service, as well as Gov. (John) Kasich have publicly commented that county Veterans Service Commissions need to utilize all available resources to improve the delivery of benefits and services to veterans as mandated by R.C. Chapter 5901.

"The (Highland) county commissioners have taken a position which places that office squarely adverse to the position, as well as the philosophy, of the Veterans Service Commission – which is that there is not enough being done to assist Highland County veterans.

"I do not believe there is any way in which the interests of these two offices can be harmonized or reconciled for purposes of representation," Kisamore wrote.

"Because the Highland County Veterans Service Commission has an adverse interest with the Highland County Commissioners' Office, which requires separate counsel for the purposes of providing representation in the matter of this budget dispute, I hereby request on behalf of the Highland County Veterans Commission that you initiate the statutory procedure with the court of common pleas to apply for an appointment of an outside attorney as special counsel."

At the June 27 joint meeting of the county commissioners and the VSC board, Collins addressed Kisamore's request, and said this was not an issue for outside legal counsel. Collins represents both the county commissioners and the VSC.

Brown said she will continue to support Highland County veterans in the "best way possible, be it behind the scenes as an advocate, a lobbyist, and as a fellow veteran."