‘THE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER STATE OF NEW YORK coe Fon SENKTE/ASSEMBLY RELATIONS nace an mT A unit +a CHILSERVCE AND PENSIONS SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITEE ( ‘xe VETS CRIME AND CORRECTION Caan Sie «novo rntcononeaors oe ‘SENATOR PATTY RITCHIE itzR EDUCATION LEciLanVE COMIASSON ON THE 48TH DISTRICT aso DALOMUENTOPRURAL RESOURCES OSWEGO, JEFFERSON, ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES ven, coven August 31, 2017 Colonel Eric J. Hesse Director New York State jon of Veterans’ Affairs 2 Empire State Plaza, 17th Floor Albany, NY 12223-1531 Dear Col. Hes: I write to you seeking assistance with an issue that will negatively impact veterans in St. Lawrence County Recently, I teamed of plans to close the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs office in Ogdensburg. This change would force those seeking services to travel to Massena, with the exception of the one day per-month that a veterans counselor would travel to Ogdensburg to ‘meet with those in need of assistanc In addition, a constituent also recently shared with me their belief that New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs has been forcing veterans from Ogdensburg and other parts of St. Lawrence County to travel to Massena in a deliberate effort to reduce usage of the Ogdensburg office and in turn, create the appearance that the Massena office should be converted from a satellite to main office location. In light of this, I respectfully request that you look into whether elderly veterans in central and westem St. Lawrence County have been deliberately forced to travel to Massena. GIEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE: 117 WASHINGTON STREET ROOM 418, WATERTOWN, NEW YORK 3 (315) 782248 OSWEGO COUNTY OFFICE: 57 BRIOGE STREET FIST FLOOR. OSWECO, NEW YORK 13263191 322957 °St. Lawrence County—which as you know is located in close proximity to Fort Drum—has one of the largest concentrations of veterans in New York State. Many of them turn to your agency for assistance with a host of concerns, especially since many rural residents of St. Lawrence County do not have easy access to the internet. As a veteran yourself, I know you understand how critically important itis that we maintain the services necessary to support those who have given so much to defend our country, and the freedoms each of us enjoy every day. | would like to renew my request that the Ogdensburg office remain open. | would also appreciate being notified of the results of the investigation that I have requested. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Sincerely, bp Patty Ritchie State Senator