New VSO Officer Hired

The members of the Veterans Service Office Committee and the Kimball County Board of Commissioners have announced the hire a local veteran, Robbie McDonald, to take the open position of Veterans Service Officer for Kimball County after nearly a year of a vacancy.

Some say that throughout that time, Darcee Wheeland, Veterans Service Office assistant, has gone above and beyond her means to fill the spot with the help and needed tools from John Brehm, Banner County Veterans Service officer.

However, Brehm has decided to slow down on the workload and will no longer be serving Kimball County.

With no exception to state laws, Wheeland is unable to make the move to the VSO position because she is not a veteran.

With that being said, it has been obvious to the county commissioners what Wheeland has brought to this program – whether it has been her dedication to the past or present veterans and even veterans that are not aware of the programs and tools out there and accessible.

According to Alex Engstrom, chairman of the VSO Committee, McDonald had expressed interest in the position and related work.

After the VSO Committee brought the matter to the table in their regular meeting June 5, a vote was unanimous to recommend McDonald to the Kimball County Commissioners for the open position.

“The committee is very excited to have Robbie coming on board as the new VSO. We (the committee) believe Robbie and Darcee will work very well together,” said Engstrom.

The Board of Commissioners accepted the recommendation to hire McDonald at their first regular meeting of the month July 2.