MonticelloLive

Members of the Disabled American Veterans group were present at the Drew County Quorum Court Monday night, to present their request for approximately $2,200 to be used toward the purchase of a passenger van.

Glenn Kellebrew was the primary speaker for the group, and emphasized that the purchase would be a good “long term” opportunity for the county.  The current agreement includes 6 counties, the DAV, Area Agency, and others.  By contributing toward the purchase of the new van, which should be available during the first half of 2008, the “DAV network” would “own” the van, and therefore be responsible for “tires, wipers, fuel, etc.”, including the eventual replacement for the van.

At this time, the current southeast Arkansas van schedule runs 2 days each week, and covers around 400-500 miles, weekly.

With the new van, the DAV is planning to run 5 days each week, alternating routes daily between a Lake Village-Dermott-McGehee-Dumas-Gould-Star City route, and a Lake Village-Hamburg-Monticello-Warren-Rison route.  Kellebrew also has worked with the Veteran’s Hospital in Little Rock, and has been told that they will schedule appointments for local veterans around the transportation schedule.

Kellebrew told the court that the needed amount to qualify for the van is $13,000.  The remaining expense will be funded by the “Colorado Trust Fund” and ”Ford Motor Company”.  Coming into tonight’s meeting, they had $10,281, leaving approximately $2,200 to go.

Other counties being served by the service have contributed, as have many veterans, businesses (Woodmen of the World was especially mentioned), and individuals.

The Drew County Quorum Court unanimously approved the remaining $2,200 to fund the project.