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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 7, 2004 New fence adorns VA Center By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune WHITE CITY — If good fences truly make good neighbors, this is a wall that poet Robert Frost’s neighbor would love. Stretching some 1,800 feet and standing seven feet tall, the fence being built in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics will serve both as added security and as a beautification project. Construction of the fence, which costs about $100,000, began two months ago. It is expected to be completed in about two weeks. "Planning for this began right after the events of Sept. 11 (2001) when there was a nationwide concern about security," explained Steve Broskey, chief engineer at the center. "We started looking at our campus, at what we could do to improve security," he added. "This was one of the things we came up with." Advertisement The decorative fence replaces the old chain-link structure that has been in place for decades. Largely metal, it has masonry columns about every 150 feet. The new fence, being built by Midas Construction Inc., is about 80 percent complete, he said. "This is part of the overall security, safety and beautification plan for the facility," explained Bill Petrocine, SORCC spokesman. Other projects already completed include replacing locks in the facility’s living area and issuing new identification badges, he said. Making the fence attractive is an important consideration, he said. "It really blends in with us being partners with the local community, with the new building that is going on," he said. Andy Mebane, SORCC chief of staff, agreed, noting that the fence reflects the interest the VA has in maintaining the facility built during World War II. Last summer, the VA announced that the former domiciliary was one of 30 nationwide under consideration for closure or significant change in services. Locally, the proposal included closing the inpatient domiciliary and compensated work therapy programs while expanding outpatient services. However, the VA’s Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission has since recommended against the change. VA Secretary Anthony Principi has yet to decide the issue, Petrocine said. "We’ve had a great response from the commission with a very positive recommendation," Mebane said. "We don’t know the final outcome but we’re optimistic. But, regardless, we need the additional security." The facility houses slightly more than 500 inpatients while serving more than 8,000 outpatients. SORCC’s annual budget is about $41 million, with roughly 70 percent going to salaries. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times