WOODVILLE – “We are really moving,” said the Tyler County Veterans Service Officer Amy Lambre.
Lambre spoke before the Tyler County Commissioners Court on Monday morning during the governing body’s regular meeting, and gave a six-month report on activity from her office.
Since she was appointed to the position in February, Lambre has seen about 30 veterans each month, or 180 in the last six months.
She is currently awaiting the process of getting accredited by the Veterans Service Administration, and waiting on the background check process.
“I’ve been ready to serve our veterans 100%,” she said. “For six months we’ve not let them wait.”
She said her office has also been able to bring in some counselors from the Texas Veterans Commission to help with filing claims, and has been able to service some veterans from Jasper County, where there is not currently at Veterans Service Office.
Lambre also noted some of the outreach efforts she has been a part of, including the countywide Fourth of July celebration and the annual birthday party for veterans who are aged 90 and older.
Lambre and the VSO also were represented at a veterans’ town hall, a countywide senior expo and the Southeast Texas Stand-Down in Jasper.
Lambre also noted the excellent work and service of secretary Martha Kimbrough in her office. “I hope I have her forever,” she said.
Wellness initiative renewed
On Monday morning, the county’s governing body also renewed its annual Healthy County Employee Wellness Incentive award program, but with amended language.
County Treasurer Leann Monk spoke on the topic, which, under the incentive, county employees get eight hours of paid sick time leave if they go to get an annual wellness check.
The measure is designed to help promote the wellness of county employees and to help offset future insurance premiums. Under the request, the county pays half of the normal visit co-pay of $30 per employee.
Monk asked the commissioners to approve a revision on the incentive to change the definition from sick time leave to vacation time, which was approved, after Judge Milton Powers put a motion forth to amend the language in the renewal.
