Amador County - Amador County is onboard with support for a new veteran’s nursing home and expanded medical facility located in French Camp near Livermore. Democratic Congressman Jerry McNerney of Pleasantion and Chula Vista Democrat Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veteran Affairs, submitted a letter to General Eric Shineski, President-elect Barack Obama’s designee to serve as Veteran Affairs Secretary. Both men outlined their recommendation for the new facility, which would also serve Veteran’s in Livermore’s aging current facility if it closed. Shishenki is considering a decision by his predecessor to transfer the nursing home and outpatient care center off the Livermore campus and into San Joaquin or Stanislaus County. Veterans Affairs is studying various sites for a new hospital and will make a decision within 60 days. The letter reads, “America's veterans made a solemn promise by wearing the uniform of the United States and serving in harm's way overseas…we owe it to them to do everything we can to provide adequate health care when they return home.” McNerney stressed that he would like the current facility to remain open, but felt French Camp would be ideal for an additional hospital because it meets or exceeds selection criteria. Approximately 42,000 veterans live in San Joaquin County alone. The facility is located at the nexus of two major freeways, Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. Amador County is also home to a large number of Veterans. Supervisors and many Veterans in Amador County have endorsed the idea of a hospital located nearby. “Veterans in California's Central Valley deserve French Camp to be selected as the location for a new medical center and nursing home,” said McNerney. If approved, the new facility would open in 2015. Story by Alex Lane