SERVICE SPEAK

One reason our country's military services have trouble operating jointly is that they don't speak the same language.

Example - - if you told Navy personnel to "secure a building" they would turn off the lights and lock the doors.

Army personnel would occupy the building so no one could enter.

Marines would assault the building, capture it, and defend it with suppressive fire and close combat.

The Air Force, on the other hand, would take out a three-year lease with an option to buy.

SENATE CONFIRMS FOUR VA LEADERS

Four senior leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were confirmed on May 25 by the Senate.

The new officials include Dr. Leo S. Mackay, Jr., as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Robin L. Higgins as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs; Maureen P. Cragin as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs; and Dr. Jacob Lozada as Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration.

As the VA's second in command, Dr. Mackay is the chief operating officer of the federal government's second largest agency. VA provides health care services and benefits programs for the nation's 25 million veterans and their families. Before his confirmation, Mackay was vice president of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. for the Aircraft Services Business Unit. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and later received a master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government and a doctorate in political and economic analysis from Harvard University.

As Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Higgins will oversee the operation of VA's 119 national cemeteries.

Maureen P. Cragin, confirmed as VA's Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, will direct VA's public and internal communication programs, as well as intergovernmental and consumer affairs activities.

Dr. Lozada, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, is the principal VA executive responsible for directing both policy and operational functions in five major program areas: human resources management, diversity management, equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints resolution, security and law enforcement, and headquarters administration. He also serves as VA's designated agency safety and health official.

A BILL TO EXEMPT VETERANS FROM NYS THRUWAY TOLLS

Brian M. Kolb, Assemblyman 129th, District, has introduced Assembly Bill 5982 which would provide honorably discharged veterans with an exemption from New York State Thruway Tolls. State Senator John R. "Randy" Kuhl introduced the identical bill in the State Senate.

Currently the legislation is in the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

It's a great bill and well motivated but needs lots of help if it can even get to first base.

Here's the rub:

According to Terry O'Brien, a Thruway spokesman in Albany, Thruway tolls act as collateral backing bonds sold to private and corporate investors, like collateral for a mortgage. He said the bond covenants do not allow the Thruway authority to wipe away at a revenue stream and to change them would be a lengthy process involving the investors.

"You can't sell your house without making arrangements with the person you borrowed from," O'Brien said.

Get the picture? Stay tuned.

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