Disabled Vietnam veteran Mike Simmons will be allowed to stay at the Norman Veterans Center past his Thanksgiving deadline, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Thursday.
Martha Spear -- who originally denied Simmons' appeal of his "involuntary discharge" from the Norman center -- said a verbal agreement had been reached to allow Simmons to stay past his Thanksgiving Day deadline. "There is an agreement for him to stay past Thanksgiving," she said.
However, Spear would not say how much longer after Thanksgiving Simmons would be allowed to remain at the facility. "As far as I know there has not been a specific date set," she said.
Unlike Simmons' notice of discharge and the denial of his appeal, Spear said nothing about the new agreement had been put in writing -- nor had it been communicated directly to Simmons.
"I have not seen anything in writing," she said. "But there is a verbal agreement, and this agency is going to keep its word."
Thursday, Simmons said he was pleased by the extension, but was concerned that no written document existed.
"I'm glad she admitted that to you," he said. "Because at this point we have nothing in writing, so we have no idea how long that grace period is going to be."
Spear acknowledged that neither she, nor representatives of her agency, had communicated with Simmons directly about the change. However, she said she did inform state Rep. Wallace Collins, D-Norman.
"A state representative of his has been told that," she said. "We spoke with the legislators who have been involved and Rep. Collins told us that he would tell him that."
For several months now, Collins and former state Rep. Al Lindley have worked with members of the Simmons family in an attempt to help Simmons remain at the center.
Spear also said her agency wasn't able help Simmons find new lodging because Simmons had not given DVA officials permission.
"We have to have his approval to help him find a place to stay," she said. "He was told that in writing."
Not true, Simmons said.
"That's not true," he said. "I've had the (veterans center) social worker here, working for me, trying to help me find a place to live. He's presented me with a list of 'nos' and a small list, maybe about a half dozen, of places that might take me."
Of that second list, Simmons said two have waiting periods and one of the facilities is in Purcell.
Simmons said he was being forced from the center because he "went public" about the treatment he received there.
"I've said all this before," he said. "This is a reprisal for me being a whistle blower. I think that plays an enormous role. If I go, the same problems will still here. It will just be the next veteran who talks who will be ejected."
Veterans Center officials, in a letter to Simmons, said he was being discharged because the facility couldn't care for him.
"This action is being taken because we are unable to meet your medical needs at this facility," NVA administrator Bob Weeks wrote. "This is being done in accordance with USDVA Regulation 51.80 and the written policy of this facility."
Simmons said if he's forced out -- whether it's on Thanksgiving or a short time later -- he would be homeless. "I'm taking it on faith," he said. "The question is: If they're not gonna toss me next Thursday, when do they plan to toss me? 'Cause I don't have anywhere to go."
M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com
Local news
Simmons receives time extension at Veterans Center; but officials won't say for how long
- Local news
-
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
Nancy Coggins landed a job with a prestigious Oklahoma City advertising agency before the ink dried on her OU journalism diploma. The job was a first rung on her career ladder and she admits that it didn’t call for her creative talents. ...
-
New jail to install curtains
The F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, though still in its infancy, is getting a facelift: new curtains....
-
Businesses go the extra mile for Valentine’s Day
Among the various images the phrase “Valentine’s Day” might conjure in one’s mind, probably the most immediate is the iconic dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates....
-
New rehabilitation, skilled care center will be next to HealthPlex
StoneGate Senior Living President and CEO John F. Taylor announced Friday that his company has completed the purchase of approximately 6.7 acres of land in the Norman Regional Health System’s Medical Park West project at NW 36th Avenueand ...
-
Mystery performance provides theatrical fatal attraction
James Briggs has a pretty steady day job with the city parks department, doesn’t live anywhere near Little River and probably never owned or slept in a hatchback. He doesn’t usually wear sport coats that are two sizes too small, either ...
-
'Get the Lead Out' annual children's art festival enters 10th year
Longfellow Middle School had a special “GLO” about it Saturday morning....
-
County prisoners moved to new jail
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies began moving prisoners from the detention center adjacent to the courthouse to the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center at Franklin Road and U.S. 77 early Saturday morning....
-
School board elections Tuesday
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in four Cleveland County school districts. Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said this will be the first election using the new voting system. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ...
-
Identity theft crackdown sweeps nation
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department recently announced a national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft....
-
Darry Stacy seeking county commission seat
Darry Stacy, a fifth generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Cleveland County, announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the District 2 Cleveland County commissioner seat....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
