ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Time is running out to relocate the Veterans Affairs clinic in St. Augustine. A new letter from the county reveals just how serious the problem really is.
Action News obtained the letter from the county asking VA officials for a definite date when they're going to leave their current location.
Vietnam veteran and retired Marine Richard Willish relies on the St. Johns County VA clinic for all his health needs -- blood work, counseling, the works.
But with the ongoing battle between the county and VA, he worries that he'll have to head all the way to Jacksonville just for his health care.
"There's a lot of things that can be done to solve the problem but I don't see anybody solving it," said Willish. "It divides up the services that are critical to our veterans."
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One reason Assistant County Administrator Jerry Cameron wanted the VA to move into a new facility currently under construction across town. Three years ago, the county informed the VA it had sold their current property to Lowe's.
"We assumed they would be moving with everyone else into the new building, and they notified us that would not be the case," said Cameron.
So the county sent a final letter asking for a move-out date. In it, County Administrator Michael Wanchick states, "It would be unacceptable to deprive our veterans of a local community based outpatient clinic."
"The veterans are going to pay the price here, so what's new? If you're a Vietnam veteran, we're at the bottom of the heap, again," said Willish.
The county said the VA has until March to vacate the current location, otherwise it will pay financial penalties: $50,000 every month for the first six months and $100,000 for each month after.
The VA told the county it will be moving into an interim facility by the end of this year.
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