Veterans Affairs Commission finds uses for grant money

The Jasper County Commission of Veterans Affairs uses grant funds from the state of Iowa every year to benefit veterans locally and invest in the county.

The commission started with $10,000 about a year ago. At the start of Wednesday afternoon’s meeting inside the County Annex Building, there was about $2,000 remaining in the fund. That money must be returned to the state if it’s not spent, and the commission has until the end of June to spend it.

The commissioners and Veterans Affairs Director Kurt Jackson approved most of the remaining grant fund dollars to benefit the Colfax Memorial Day celebration and to go toward a picnic table at the Jasper County Fair grounds.

The contribution to the American Legion-sponsored Memorial Day celebration in Colfax shows the county veterans affairs office is not only dedicated to Newton but to the other communities in Jasper County as well, Jackson said.

About $540 is left before next year’s grant money comes in. State funding for 2017-2018 will drop down to $9,650 following recently passed legislation, Jackson said. It is slotted to be cut down further to $4,500 the following year, but that number is not yet set in stone.

Also on Wednesday, Commissioner Marta Ford brought up the issue of poor conditions at the Newton Union Cemetery, which is run by the city. The poor upkeep, particularly of the veterans’ section, was brought to Ford’s attention by a couple of widows who were visiting their husbands’ graves.

Weeds and grass are not being kept up with according to Ford, who went out to the cemetery herself to see the conditions. Although it’s the city’s responsibility to manage the cemetery’s appearance, the veterans affairs commissioners agreed that they have a moral responsibility to raise the issue and make the city aware.

Jackson agreed to bring up the cemetery issue at the next city council meeting.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com