Lincoln County, OR–As the county prepares a funding measure that would improve veterans services for the November ballot, Lincoln County Veterans Affairs Officer Keith Barnes will address the September meeting of Lincoln County Democrats on Wednesday, September 24 at Newport’s Atonement Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Coast Highway. Social time begins at 5:30 pm and the meeting begins at 6 pm.
Barnes will discuss services the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office provides to the estimated 5200 veterans residing within Lincoln County and the necessity for raising funds through a public measure at this time.
A 2022 survey found that 48% of veterans don’t understand their disability benefit options, and four in 10 veterans felt they didn’t receive adequate guidance on benefits when leaving the military. According to the U.S. Veterans Affairs Administration, only 20% of veterans apply for and use VA services.
“We’re a free service for all veterans and their dependents in Lincoln County. We’re here to assist veterans in obtaining services and we want to continue to be able to assist them in the future,” said Barnes, whose office helps veterans to secure the healthcare, stipends, and other benefits to which they are entitled from federal, state and county governments. The office provides outreach services and helps veterans’ families apply for survivor benefits.
Barnes said the November ballot measure—which will be listed as Measure 21-235– has become necessary because of uncertainty surrounding the current administration’s support for Oregon state and county government. “A lot of our budget is dependent upon federal grant funding that flows through the state and to the counties and there’s a chance that several of those grants won’t come through,” said Barnes, whose office is currently funded by the County General Fund. In anticipation of changes to the flow of federal support, Measure 21-235 would levy $0.035 per $1,000 of assessed property value. According to the County Registrar, it’s estimated that the average cost to property owners would be approximately $8.60 per year.
Also on the September meeting agenda is a talk by CM Hall, executive director of Emerge Oregon, the state’s premier training program for recruiting and training Democratic women as candidates for elected office. Hall, longtime educator who has served on the Newport City Council, became the first rural and coastal Oregonian to lead that organization when she was appointed late last year. Hall will speak to the need for candidates at all levels of government, the process and practicalities of running for office and the candidate training program offered by Emerge.
Prior to the meeting, Stacey Hall will conduct a social media training, beginning at 4:40 pm, to help those who would like to learn about various social media platforms, what they do, how to sign up for them and how to effectively use them to help distribute progressive messages.
The Lincoln County Democratic Party holds monthly meetings rotating among northern, central, southern and eastern centers of the county with zoom options available for virtual attendance and participation. All are welcome.
The purpose of the Lincoln County Democratic Party and its executive committee is to promote the interests of the Democratic Party in Oregon and Lincoln County, to work for the election of Democratic candidates, adopt a party platform and work to ensure its principles are reflected in law, and to provide a link between Democratic voters, the Democratic Party, and the government. The Lincoln County Democratic Party welcomes comments and questions, which can be addressed to: dems@lincolncountydemocratsoregon.com
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media contact: Eliot Sekuler
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