The Shawano County Veterans Service Office will soon have a new home.
Members of the public property committee agreed Feb. 12 to move that office from the county courthouse on South Main Street to the Department of Human Services campus at W7327 Anderson Ave.
Julie Hasser, interim administrative coordinator, said the relocation is part of a trickle-down move.
“It actually stems from our DA’s (district attorney) office needing additional space, because the state granted us two additional ADAs (assistant district attorneys), and then there’s further talk of growth with a potential third judge,” she said.
The veterans office would move to the ADRC side of the DHS building, where they can work hand-in-hand when necessary — something that’s done in many Wisconsin counties.
“There’s a lot of handoffs that go between them, getting veterans the services they need or ADRC customers that might be veterans and can get help from the veterans department,” Hasser said.
When the veterans office is vacated at the courthouse, the Ag and Extension office would be relocated within the building to that space. Then, the district attorney’s office would expand into the Ag and Extension office, which is across the hall from the space currently used by the DA’s office.
Hasser reminded supervisors that Paul Pionke is retiring as CVSO director in March.
Zachary Zuehlsdorf has been hired to replace him effective March 9. Zuehlsdorf currently is a benefits specialist with the Winnebago County veterans service office and is supportive of having the veterans office side by side with the ADRC.
“They currently have a satellite office where veterans and ADRC are together,” Hasser said of Winnebago County.
Supervisor Tom Kautza said some veterans will need to overcome a feeling that they are getting some form of a handout due to the association with ADRC.
“It just has to be explained to them they’re not getting free public money; that’s something they’ve earned and should have,” he said.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
