Meeting with ODVA director

By Rep. RICK WEST 

I toured the Sallisaw Veterans Center last week with James Bynum, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s a spacious, beautiful facility with large private rooms and bathrooms, wide hallways and nice amenities.

The only problem is it is less than half full, just 64 residents out of 175 beds. This facility is facing one of the same issues as Talihina, they can’t hire nurses and other staff until the need is there. The center is in far east Oklahoma, and most veterans’ families want their loved ones closer to them. Many families also are trying to keep their loved ones home as long as possible, and in-home caregivers can get funding for this, so the long-term need for these centers is not like it was in the past.

My main question for the director was why this center can’t handle care for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The closest center to our area offering memory care is Ardmore, but that’s quite a drive for family members and other loved ones. Bynum said the center was never set up for this type of care and it would take a lot of money to change things. Plus, they would still have the staffing issue, and dementia care needs even more specialized staff.

This was a concern first voiced to me by Wanda Ludwig, the commander of the Poteau Disabled American Veterans chapter. I’m sorry to have to report to her that I don’t think we’re going to get memory care at this facility. It sure is nice, though. It’s like walking into a hotel. I saw several constituents there from my House district, and I’ve heard from family members back home that they love having their loved ones there.

The director said he would come to Poteau for a visit.

Also last week, I spoke to members of the LeFlore County Fair Board, explaining a recent interim study I attended in the State Senate that examined the repair needs of county fairgrounds across Oklahoma. The study’s authors hope to secure funding for these repairs in the next legislative session. The fairgrounds in Poteau are in pretty good shape, but board members told me they would still like funding to expand the bathrooms and the dressing room and to redo the concession stand. I told them to dream big. You don’t receive if you don’t ask. They’re excited about the possibility of securing some of this funding. I sure hope it happens.

These local fairgrounds help groups like 4-H and FFA, as they host many programs and events, including junior livestock shows. Without these local shows there would be no Oklahoma Youth Expo. Agriculture, in general, has an enormous impact in LeFlore County as it does in many communities throughout our state.

On the note of groups like 4-H, I was invited to attend a 4-H Awards Banquet at Cameron Schools. This is put on by 4-H educators and Oklahoma State University Extension specialists, plus the parents who are involved with the program and their children. It’s always a pleasure to see young people recognized for their hard work and dedication.

My son and grandson were 4-H members and now are involved in FFA. They learn a lot about life and work in these groups.

In 2024, I authored House Bill 1006 that requires schools to give an excused absence to students participating in 4-H activities recognized by the county 4-H facilitator. This was a big win for 4-H members who are now allowed to make up any missed work without their grades being negatively affected when they are out for an approved activity.

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

Heavener.news does not endorse political candidates. This story is published as a service to our readers.

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