Holmes veterans office all set for new flooring
New Holmes County Veterans Services Director Dan Stackhouse has settled into his role, and his recent meeting with the Holmes County commissioners proved to be fruitful.
The meeting was the first time Stackhouse met with the board, and he did so to request funding to replace the flooring in the veterans office located in the Clinton Street Building in Millersburg.
“The flooring is not in very good shape. The carpet is wearing, and there are spots where it can be a danger to our veterans who are using walkers to get around because there are places that could trip them up,” Stackhouse said.
He provided the commissioners with several photographs of the problem areas, and the two entities discussed the process of replacing the flooring, which would include new laminate flooring near the entry to the office where it is chipping.
Prior to the meeting, Stackhouse had done his homework, identifying possible suitors to replace the flooring and discussing color schemes that would match the building’s interior. He also found a partner in Elite Flooring & Tile.
“It’s kind of a salted caramel that matches the woodwork over there,” Stackhouse said. “I’ve reached out to all of the flooring companies, and the only one that was willing to send someone in to do a measurement was Elite.”
Stackhouse said he also had checked into what local companies have done work for the county for flooring prior to this and saw Elite was one that had.
“I didn’t want to go through the process of adding another vendor to the system,” Stackhouse said. “Why muddy the waters when you already have three quality companies there?”
Stackhouse said people from Elite came in, did measurements and sifted through a variety of matching options that would be suitable.
He said they talked about the best flooring suitable for a high-traffic area. The estimate came in at $9,547 including furniture moving, and Stackhouse said last year a request was made of $15,000 for replacement flooring construction.
“It’s well under what was requested,” Stackhouse said. “I feel good about what they presented, and it should match well.”
The commissioners quickly agreed to move forward on the project with funds in the budget already in place.
“Our veterans are always important. And to add an advocate like you, with your experience, is very good,” commissioner Dave Hall said. “We’re looking forward to developing an extended relationship together.”
Stackhouse said he continues to organize the rear dock to the building and clean the basement storage area.
Hall said with Holmes County Emergency Management set to move all of its belongings from the storage area to the new health building in June, it should clear up even more space for Stackhouse to utilize.
“I know there are little piles everywhere down there, so that should give you more space to organize,” Hall said.
Stackhouse said he continues to make inroads in meeting and developing relationships with the many county government employees and invited the commissioners to converse with him any time they feel is necessary.
