Metropolitan King County Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson hosted his council colleagues and more than 200 citizens at an April 1 town-hall meeting in Shoreline where the state of veterans services in the region was addressed. Panel members representing federal, state and county agencies engaged the audience in a discussion about services being provided for veterans.

The panel members urged veterans to contact local programs if they need assistance and pledged to “get it right this time” in providing services for veterans returning from combat.

Four local veterans also spoke about the impact veterans services have played in their lives.

“This meeting provided a snapshot of what is currently being done to help veterans in our region and what can be done better,” said Ferguson, who represents District One, which includes Bothell and Kenmore. “We owe it to our veterans to honor their service and sacrifice by helping connect them with the job training, treatment and housing they may need to return to civilian life.”

In 2005, Ferguson sponsored legislation to place a levy on the ballot to raise funds for veterans and human services, which King County voters overwhelmingly approved.