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Report
Bakersfield veterans react to new VA Clinic heading to City Planning Commission
23ABC News
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9/6/2023
Latest Kern County, California and US & world news from 23ABC in Bakersfield, Calif.
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00:00
Well, more than 10 years ago, Congress authorized the construction of a new outpatient VA clinic
00:06
set to be located here on Knutson Drive just off of Olive.
00:10
However, as you can see, 13 years later, this area is still a vacant lot.
00:15
It just makes us feel like it's never going to get done.
00:19
A long time coming.
00:20
I see the frustration along with that and I'm looking forward to when you get it started.
00:25
This group of veterans ranging from Vietnam to post-9/11 are gearing up for another mission.
00:30
We get to the point that that ground gets broken and our veterans get a new community-based
00:35
outpatient clinic here in Bakersfield.
00:37
Our veterans deserve the very best medical care and facilities.
00:41
Following its congressional approval in 2010, the project lagged until 2018 when San Diego-based
00:47
developer SASD was awarded the $40 million contract from the VA.
00:52
This new clinic would be state of the art.
00:54
Be able to care for the rise in female veterans, the homeless veterans out there as well.
01:01
Bakersfield native and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy working to secure those funds.
01:05
But owners of the existing VA clinic objected, according to city documents, filing appeals
01:10
and a lawsuit under the Beverly Hills-based organization, Progress for Bakersfield Veterans,
01:15
LLC.
01:16
Several, what I would call dilatory actions.
01:19
Most of them have been resolved or dismissed.
01:21
A lot of us Vietnam veterans are dying out.
01:24
I'm 74.
01:25
I won't even be around.
01:27
Some of my other brothers that served in Vietnam won't be around.
01:31
Department service officer for the existing VA clinic, Larry Walker, said the delays are
01:35
frustrating as a new facility is greatly needed.
01:38
I have an office in the clinic as a service officer and I see it every day.
01:42
The latest appeal citing review of the new clinic under the California Environmental
01:46
Quality Act.
01:47
However, the report concluded the new VA project was found to be consistent with the general
01:52
plan and city zoning requirements.
01:54
Army veteran Jason Geis saying now it's time for the whole community to speak up.
01:58
Contact their city council members.
02:01
We just want to see this thing get going because we know we're still a few years probably from
02:06
us being able to go in there and get our care.
02:10
Now the Bakersfield Planning Commission is set to review this SECA report on Thursday.
02:15
According to the agenda, the staff is recommending the commission approve it.
02:20
That meeting is taking place at 5.30pm at city council chambers off of Truxton Avenue.
02:26
Reporting in Bakersfield, I'm Veronica Morley, 23 ABC News, connecting you.
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