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When first employed at the Bath VA in 2003 I quickly became disillusioned by the actions of management. The
treatment of veterans and employees was appalling! As an employee I witnessed harassment, unfair hiring practices,
misappropriation of funding, wasteful government spending, nepotism, favoritism, unsafe working conditions and
double standards regarding rules and regulations. I was bound however, by their rules and regulations to voice my
concerns.
I was forced to resign after publishing this book. My forced resignation however allowed me to voice my concerns
to ousted Congressman Randy Kuhl (R). He admitted that over the past several years that his office had received
numerous complaints regarding management and hiring practices at the Bath VA. He suggested I file for an official
investigation into this matter which I did. Unfortunately, Randy Kuhl refused to act on the veterans’ behalf.
Management has allowed Bill Didas, an abusive and unstable VA employee to retain his job due to his connections
with past facilities manager Robert K. Wheeler. Mr. Didas has a long history of verbally and physically abusing fellow
employees, filing false reports, perjury, theft and wasteful spending. Rather than enforce the “zero-tolerance” policy,
management allows this “loose cannon” to seek treatment at the Canandaigua Psych Ward after certain incidents and
then announce he is better. This individual will undoubtedly experience another “incident” and I pray it will not
involve an elderly veteran whose only crime is thinking he can safely enter the VA for services.
Management has also created jobs for family members, friends and folks with strong ties to political parties. One
high paying position was created for former congressman’s aide Brandon Gardner. This non-veteran beat out
qualified veterans for the position which is not surprising since no other qualified candidates were interviewed for
the job. This “favor” has cost the VA over $80,000 in annual salaries!
Another “civilian” employee, Valerie Tyler, was given a control of EMS after being hired for another “created”
position of Interior Decorator. Her only qualifications were her connections to high ranking VA employees and
personal liaison with aforementioned Robert Wheeler. Ms. Tyler has instructed members of her department to file
false charges against veterans and employees and even instructed staff members to call security on certain veterans
she does not like.
Intentional understaffing is common practice. This allows the upper echelons to receive larger year-end bonuses
for money saved on salaries. The VA even rented out part of the hospital to a company which offers a 28-day detox
service to non-veterans. This had been in the planning stages for five years with no concern to the impact it would
have on surrounding areas. When questioned why the VA rented out part of a facility which was built for veterans the
past Public Affairs Officer Carl Haneline answered it was because they needed the money. Go figure.
I could touch upon the upholstery program which only benefits instructor Dan Rechichi or the deep rooted
corruption which has plagued the union at the Bath VA or all the unnecessary travel but what would be the point?
Congressman Kuhl chose to ignore/condone (either word works here) these ongoing practices. Let’s hope
Congressman-elect Eric Massa keeps his promise to the veterans.
When I give my talks on the history of the Bath Soldiers’ Home one concern always brought up by someone in the
audience is the diminishing care and benefits the veterans now receive. We can not afford VA employees to capitalize
on their position. They need to remember, if it were not for the VETERANS they would not have a job. We DO NOT owe
jobs to “connected” and unqualified individuals.
I think the plight of the veterans can be summed up best by a directive put out by Robert Wheeler (he was forced to
retire in 2006 when it was found out he was completely unqualified for his position) stating that employees can longer
acknowledge being veterans because Mak Allen, a non-veteran employee working in food service, is offended by that
term and status.
I agree…it’s outrageous.
treatment of veterans and employees was appalling! As an employee I witnessed harassment, unfair hiring practices,
misappropriation of funding, wasteful government spending, nepotism, favoritism, unsafe working conditions and
double standards regarding rules and regulations. I was bound however, by their rules and regulations to voice my
concerns.
I was forced to resign after publishing this book. My forced resignation however allowed me to voice my concerns
to ousted Congressman Randy Kuhl (R). He admitted that over the past several years that his office had received
numerous complaints regarding management and hiring practices at the Bath VA. He suggested I file for an official
investigation into this matter which I did. Unfortunately, Randy Kuhl refused to act on the veterans’ behalf.
Management has allowed Bill Didas, an abusive and unstable VA employee to retain his job due to his connections
with past facilities manager Robert K. Wheeler. Mr. Didas has a long history of verbally and physically abusing fellow
employees, filing false reports, perjury, theft and wasteful spending. Rather than enforce the “zero-tolerance” policy,
management allows this “loose cannon” to seek treatment at the Canandaigua Psych Ward after certain incidents and
then announce he is better. This individual will undoubtedly experience another “incident” and I pray it will not
involve an elderly veteran whose only crime is thinking he can safely enter the VA for services.
Management has also created jobs for family members, friends and folks with strong ties to political parties. One
high paying position was created for former congressman’s aide Brandon Gardner. This non-veteran beat out
qualified veterans for the position which is not surprising since no other qualified candidates were interviewed for
the job. This “favor” has cost the VA over $80,000 in annual salaries!
Another “civilian” employee, Valerie Tyler, was given a control of EMS after being hired for another “created”
position of Interior Decorator. Her only qualifications were her connections to high ranking VA employees and
personal liaison with aforementioned Robert Wheeler. Ms. Tyler has instructed members of her department to file
false charges against veterans and employees and even instructed staff members to call security on certain veterans
she does not like.
Intentional understaffing is common practice. This allows the upper echelons to receive larger year-end bonuses
for money saved on salaries. The VA even rented out part of the hospital to a company which offers a 28-day detox
service to non-veterans. This had been in the planning stages for five years with no concern to the impact it would
have on surrounding areas. When questioned why the VA rented out part of a facility which was built for veterans the
past Public Affairs Officer Carl Haneline answered it was because they needed the money. Go figure.
I could touch upon the upholstery program which only benefits instructor Dan Rechichi or the deep rooted
corruption which has plagued the union at the Bath VA or all the unnecessary travel but what would be the point?
Congressman Kuhl chose to ignore/condone (either word works here) these ongoing practices. Let’s hope
Congressman-elect Eric Massa keeps his promise to the veterans.
When I give my talks on the history of the Bath Soldiers’ Home one concern always brought up by someone in the
audience is the diminishing care and benefits the veterans now receive. We can not afford VA employees to capitalize
on their position. They need to remember, if it were not for the VETERANS they would not have a job. We DO NOT owe
jobs to “connected” and unqualified individuals.
I think the plight of the veterans can be summed up best by a directive put out by Robert Wheeler (he was forced to
retire in 2006 when it was found out he was completely unqualified for his position) stating that employees can longer
acknowledge being veterans because Mak Allen, a non-veteran employee working in food service, is offended by that
term and status.
I agree…it’s outrageous.