District 2 resident urges allowing veteran service organizations to apply for HCI grants

During communications from the audience, Daniel Marlowe of District 2 asked the commission to expand HCI grant eligibility to veteran service organizations so those groups could apply directly rather than partnering with other nonprofits. Marlowe mentioned two local organizations — the DAV (described in the record as a 501(c)(4) in this context) and the American Legion (a traditional 501(c)(19) veteran service organization) — and said allowing them to apply would avoid the need to partner with a separate 501(c)(3) "shell" nonprofit.

Marlowe described local veteran services: the Bradley County Honor Guard has performed 29 funerals this month and is on track for more than 300 by year end; the organization has conducted private fundraising and recently obtained a low‑mileage used van. He said future plans include applying for HCI funding to equip an honor guard van with an AED and first‑aid supplies.

Commissioners thanked Marlowe for his remarks; there was some discussion earlier in the meeting about allowing veteran organizations to apply for HCI funds and about the classification differences between 501(c)(4) veteran organizations and 501(c)(19) organizations. The meeting record does not show an immediate policy change; some commissioners said the finance or road committees would take up related policy amendments.