Veterans Service Commission hosts ribbon-cutting for new office
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — A new office for the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission was celebrated Friday morning, as more than 175 people attended a ribbon cutting at the renovated building.
Ashtabula County VSC Executive Director Ben Schwartfigure's multiple year push for a new facility ended with the November opening of the facility, located along Route 20, but the celebration was saved until spring.
Veterans, business leaders, politicians and other community leaders attended the ceremony.
Schwartfigure said he began discussing the idea of a new facility within the first 45 days as executive director, and is thankful for the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners' willingness to walk through the process with him.
Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said Schwartfigure worked well throughout the whole project, making sure he did the legwork for change orders.
VSC Board Member Rick Arndt said Schwartfigure went well above the call of duty to make sure the building was found, renovated properly and funded adequately.
'He kept us focused on the need,' Arndt said. He said Schwartfigure also monitored every part of the renovation efforts while still making sure area veterans received services as well.
Fellow board member Ed Somppi also gave credit to Schwartfigure.
'He is, in my mind, the best director in the state,' he said.
Schwartfigure gave credit to Onyx Creative and Declan Construction, which made the project a reality.
Former VSC Executive Director and current Board Member Anna Allshouse, who worked for the commission for 30 years, provided a history of the organization.
She said the commission was born in 1886, when the state legislature attempted to help veterans recover from their experiences in the Civil War.
While the organization was funded through mandated local millage, it expanded to a five member board structure that represents a wide variety of veterans organizations.
Sean McCarthy, assistant director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, was the keynote speaker at the event.
McCarthy said Ohio has done a good job of taking care of veterans, and he intends to continue that tradition. He said Ohio veterans are our neighbors, co-workers and coaches, and fill many important roles in society.
Many veterans attended the event, including one from World War II and the Korean conflict. Many attended with friends and family.
The Ashtabula County Young Marines posted the colors, and Thomas Lucas Jr. sang the National Anthem to start off the ceremony.
Food was provided for those in attendance, and a tour of the facility was provided.
Schwartfigure said two new employees have been hired to assist veterans with financial issues. He said the building will also be used for a variety of educational events in the future, and is open for use by veterans groups that do not have their own facilities.
'We will be more visible in the community,' Schwartfigure said.
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