The Berrien County Board of Commissioners met Thursday for the first time in two weeks with a busy schedule.
First, the board heard from Veterans Services Director Maureen Adams about the county’s volunteer drivers, the ones who drive veterans to medical appointments at VA facilities in Michigan and Indiana. She read off driver names and hours of service.
Adams told commissioners the drivers take frequent trips, although not as many as in years past.
“It’s very different than COVID,” Adams said. “Pre-COVID, we took 466 veterans to their appointments. This year, our year-to-date total is 143. The VA has community care now, so veterans have the choice to ask for local appointments, and that’s really changed our DAV program a lot.”
Adams said an anonymous donation and a grant are enabling the veterans office to purchase a new seven passenger Ford Explorer to help improve transportation.
Also Thursday, board Chair Mac Elliott read a resolution honoring Andrews University for its 150th anniversary, noting it’s a world-class learning institution with students from more than 100 countries.
Commissioners Thursday also approved honorary resolutions for Amy Young of the Berrien County Clerk’s office. She’s retiring after 28 years of service.
Finally, the board honored outgoing Commissioner Michael Majerek, who’s represented Niles since 2017. Majerek thanked the board for the past eight years, noting eight years is longer than the Beatles were together.
