LAWRENCE COUNTY – Lawrence County Veterans Service Officer Brad Bough issued this statement apologizing to veterans in the county:
The economic pressures that many Americans are experiencing at present have created a greater need for assistance in our Veteran community as well. With the cost of food and fuel increasing almost daily, many people, including Veterans, simply need assistance.
Unfortunately, due to a hiring freeze imposed by the Lawrence County Council, the Lawrence County Veterans Service Office is at present unable to provide the level of service the Veterans of Lawrence County have previously received. Factually, our office has had an opening for an Assistant Veterans Service Officer since March 31, 2026; however, even with sufficient funding in our office budget to hire an Assistant Service Officer, the hiring freeze imposed by the Lawrence County Council prohibits your Veterans Service Office from coordinating with our County Commissioners to hire a qualified Veteran for the position now. This lack of an Assistant VSO has resulted in a much longer appointment wait time as well as response delays by our office to the needs of Lawrence County Veterans, and for that, I sincerely apologize.
The delay of services to any Lawrence County Citizen is unacceptable. Therefore, on Tuesday, April 28th, which is the next Lawrence County Council meeting, I will request the elimination of this bureaucratic hiring freeze. Common sense must prevail… There is no good reason to force an officeholder or department head to wait FOUR WEEKS to replace a position which is already fully budgeted and confirmed as budgeted by the Auditor’s office.
Finally, if you are an Honorably Discharged Veteran and a resident of Lawrence County, we ask you to please consider submitting a Resume for the Assistant Service Officer position. Resumes will be accepted via email at vetnet47@gmail.com, or you may submit it in person at our office, which is room 8, in the courthouse basement. Thank you, and may God continue to bless Lawrence County.
