Pinellas County Government Launches Veteran Support Website

The Pinellas County Government has launched a brand new effort online for Veterans, Police and first responders to connect them with information and discounts.  

The brand new website went live today, and coordinates a variety of community resources, information and promotional discounts for veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders.

https://pinellas.gov/veterans-services-information/

Highlights of the new portal include :

• streamlined contact information for Pinellas County Veteran Services offices
• A "What's New" section featuring updated stories and links for Veterans
• A "Resources" section with links to veteran and military resources
• An entire section dedicated to discounts and promotions
• Tons of additional information, resources, links, and connections

This page is a worthwhile resource and can be bookmarked for updates and discounts.

I asked Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala for a comment on the new Veterans portal at the county website, and he replied with a statement :

"Our veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers devote their life protecting our life and liberty. Shortly after I was elected, I asked our County Administrator to post a section on our website that would feature the various savings that area businesses offer our heroes. That is now a reality. I want to thank our County Administrator Barry Burton, and his staff for getting this done for our heroes in Pinellas. Visit https://pinellas.gov/veterans-services-information/ to see all of the offers available."

In related news, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority recently approved veterans for free transit on the PSTA busses throughout the county.  The meeting was quite interesting, with Commissioner Chris Latvala introducing the proposal (seconded by Commissioner Kathleen Peters).  A robust and contentious discussion (watch below) was held with Latvala's proposal facing a near unanimous approval, with Seminole and St. Pete representatives voting against and everyone else supporting the proposal.  Veterans will enjoy free use of the PTSA starting November 10, 2023.

It was proposed in the first pass of the program for disabled veterans, but Latvala and Peters got it expanded for ALL veterans.  This marks the beginning of a new era for the PTSA as   

I've included part of the discussion below that was published on Commissioner Latvala's YouTube page.