Veterans Affairs secretary moves to give himself more job security

The report below is from Gary Fisher, a Madison journalist who has covered the Board of Veterans Affairs and has an ongoing interest in its activities.

His report is the only one you're likely to see about Friday's meeting of the board, because no mainstream media representatives attended. It's one of those boards that only rates coverage when something unusual (that usually means something bad) happens. And then you read about it after the fact -- like when the board voted in secret to name a new secretary to run the department, managing to simultaneously break the law and dis the new governor, who had simply asked for a chance to meet the finalists for the position.

If you read between the lines of Fisher's report, you'll find that there's more than a little politics at work here. Secretary John Scocos, who has Republican connections and came to the agency when the GOP was in power, runs a very tight ship. Board members, for whom he technically works, are supposed to salute and get out of his way as he runs the agency.

But now there are beginning to be some Democratic appointees on the board, despite the best efforts of sitting GOP appointees on the board, and the Republican-controlled State Senate, to delay confirmation of Gov. Doyle's appointees to the board.

Against that backdrop, Scocos is moving to consolidate his power and improve his job security, since the board could replace him. At Friday's meeting, he asked the board to approve 17 changes in the department rules, all fairly confusing and legalistic. One board member spoke up and asked for time to discuss and think about them first, or the changes already would be a done deal.

So now that the introduction is longer than the story, here is Gary Fisher's report:

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By Gary Fisher

A state agency with a $250 million budget for the biennium that impacts thousands of Wisconsin military veterans and their families is pushing for significant changes to the rules governing it.

Among the many changes proposed is one that would require a unanimous vote of the seven-member Board of Veterans Affairs to remove the secretary of the state's Department of Veterans Affairs from office.

The current secretary, John A. Scocos, would benefit with more command and control presence, and job security.

Veterans say, however, that changing the rule guarantees further politicization of an already politicized board.

Presently, the checks and balances take five votes to remove the secretary for misconduct or mismanagement.

At the WDVA board meeting Friday in downtown Madison, board member Marv Freedman successfully asked the panel for an opportunity to review proposed changes to the board's rules and procedures in a teleconference with other board members before final consideration at the regularly scheduled meeting in December. The board agreed.

The board raised Scocos' salary to $118,000 in August of this year, although he received the same percentage of increase as all department secretaries received. During that time, the board praised him with a letter signed by all of its members, which an observer of the veteran's community refers to as a "loyalty oath."

Vets say requiring a unanimous vote of the board to remove the secretary from office appeases Scocos' so-called "paranoid" management style requiring rubberstamp approval of the board he influences, and of a management system frequently calling for more reinforcement and changes.

Changing the rules would go a long way toward reinforcing Scocos' tenuous position, especially, now that a Democratic governor inhabits the East Wing of the state Capitol, a political fact that could change in the 2006 elections.

Freedman, a Vietnam vet, was recommended for Senate confirmation this summer by the Republican-controlled Senate veteran's committee . He is already serving, pending confirmation, because he was appointed to fill a vacancy.

However, former Assistant Senate Majority Leader Rod Moen, D-Whitehall, who retired after a 22-year Navy career and was also recommended by the committee, is awaiting full Senate confirmation to serve on the board. He would replace Kathy Marschman, whose term ended May 1, but who can continue to serve until her successor is confirmed by the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, has yet to schedule those confirmations in the waning days of the legislative session.

A replacement for another board member, Don Heiliger, has not been nominated by Doyle, although Heiliger's term also ended May 1. He says he will continue to serve until a successor is confirmed.

Scocos got his job amid controversy two years ago after the board voted in secret in October 2003 to appoint him secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The board kept its selection secret for several days before voting a second time days later in open session at the advice of its attorney.

Scocos replaced Ray Boland in November 2003 after Boland's 12 years as secretary of the department.

The department and board consist mostly of former and retired Army Reserve officers.