A shopping center expansion and upcoming changes to who can get on post and how were on the list Thursday during the first of a series of town hall meetings for Fort Gordon soldiers and their families.
Chief Willie McClinton, of the Fort Gordon Directorate of Emergency Services, told audience members they can expect a change in security for the post when a new visitors center is constructed.
This could mean visitors will have to stop at the new center and will no longer be allowed inside without acceptable identification. Right now, all visitors are required to show a current driver's license when entering.
In June, a man dressed as an Army master sergeant was arrested after he walked into the post's military police office and signed out an infrared laser sight.
According to court documents, a uthorities pulled Anthony Saxon over after recognizing his vehicle from a previous robbery and found stun grenades, a land mine and the sight inside.
Hudgins said the visitors center and any changes to admittance have been in the works for years and were not in response to the incident.
Attendees also heard about an array of construction projects , including a more than $31 million expansion to the Post Exchange.
The building, which acts as a Walmart-style general store, will nearly double in size from 98,000 to 177,000 square feet.
A new three-phase, 1,500-person capacity battalion complex with seven new buildings was among the other projects.
John Ramey, of the post's Directorate of Public Works, said people should expect construction projects to continue until at least the next decade.
Other projects include ongoing barracks renovations and an area billed as "Downtown Fort Gordon," which will re-create a small-town atmosphere on post by tying together the schools, playgrounds, a new chapel and restaurant in a pedestrian-friendly area. It will be located near Freedom Park Elementary School.
Great news for us as retiries but;
they should also try to remedy the parking problems at EAMC, more so for the handicap parking, a while back they widened some of the spaces to accomedate side van access, which took away spaces. NOW you get there a little after 7AM: they are all completely filled. Kinda fishey to me, I have set there at 4PM: and watched these same spaces being emptied out by employees whom have on neck badges. So tells me some of these so called peeps are using some one elses Handy capped hanging tags. Have watched and complained. When you see someone men & women get out of vehicles whom walk like a bat outta H_ _ _. Then you drive around for 15 min. finally give up and hobble walk with assistance from where ever you can finally get a space. I have seen very elderly struggle to walk to EAMC. Then to see cars w/no Hadycp. tags parked backwards with a hanging tag makes me wonder. Just cannot believe that prior to Phamacy opening and lobby empty and that all these handycap spaces are full for appointments at that time of morning. Sure would like to see where they are at . LOL Probably sitting behind the desks and various other positions of employment at EAMC. I have voiced complaints to Security and see there is a a security guard w/clip board out front in AM: so how do they solve this problem????????? Something definitely needs to be done. Check ID's w/hanging tags bet you find names don't match!!!!
Robcat75
As the widow of a retired service man and having been around the Ft. Gordon area for quite a few decades I think it would certainly behoove security to help those that are handicapped get their well deserved spaces. DO run early checks and please follow through on it, and continue it. I know that many veterans will be grateful and they are very much entitled to that privilege. Thank you to all those that serve and have served our country. God bless you all.
I agree that parking should be the first thing to me fixed @ EAMC. At any time that I ake my son out there for an appt I have to search for 10-20 minutes for a space and then end up parking somewhere inthe grass so we don't miss his appt. It doesn't matter if you expand the PX because most enlisted folks can't afford things priced for officers.
I am an employee at EAMC and I totally understand about the parking situation because I have complained as well. Hospital Security does a pretty good job about ensuring that employees park in the employee parking lot with cameras and them running out and chasing people back to their cars but once it is full, where are we to park? Employees are parked along the curb in the staff parking lot prior to all the spaces being filled (which is an accident waiting to happen) but this is allowed because "it frees up more spaces for the patients".
Handicapped spaces---These days you don't have to be in a wheelchair to be deemed handicap. I have friends that need to have Total Knee replacements and they have handicap passes hanging in their vehicles because they can't walk that far! I mean who are we to judge whether or not a person needs a handicap space soley based on what WE see?
The PX expansion-who cares, civilian employees risk their lives coming to work on the installation everyday but can't even pump gas! If some idiot decides he wants to come on post and do harm, we are at risk as well but can't reap the benefits such as getting gas or shopping in the PX. I have been a dependent child, a service member, a spouse and a civilian employee and I think its only fair that civilian employees have a right to enjoy some of the benefits of our service!
"NOW you get there a little after 7AM: they are all completely filled. Kinda fishey to me, I have set there at 4PM: and watched these same spaces being emptied out by employees whom have on neck badges."
Call the MP's.
I spent 4 years of my life-between 1981 and 1985- at DDEAMC. Even then, you snooze, you lose.
If you're retired, and a handicapped space is that vital to you, then you need to get there before 7. Problem solved.
I'm disabled myself, and lots of times, in lots of places, handicapped spaces are full. However, I understand that the world doesn't revolve around me, and I deal with it.
Ya ya, perhaps you would be happier working someplace else that you would feel safer. Good luck in finding that spot.
WEll now, just reading this is openning a new ball game, number one Rebcat, if you are retired and disable, then you more then likely have Medicare and TFL, You are one of the lucky ones that have the best of both worlds. You are one of the lucky ones that can go to a civilian doctor and drive right up to the front door and get out of your car and walk/hobble right in . The civilian doctor will file to your Medicare and it is paid 100% and no problem parking. I hear this often and I get mad that people like you can't take change. Bills where passed with you paying Medicare not Tricare and expanding the care to civilians DOCTORS to free up the faclities for the new troops and care for the wounded.
I think you and all retirees need to read about your benefits and have an open mind about where YOU CAN GET CARE.
All active duty are resticted to the rules that they have to come there but retirees have choices.
My disablities have worsened in last few years and I am one that HAS TO PARK THERE WITH A BADGE AROUND MY NECK BECAUSE INCASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE SECURITY IS VERY TIGHT AND THEY DO MADE YOU MOVE IF NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE THERE.
The people that walk out and have parked in a space at the front may be an employee but just like you with a disablity and retired , so they may work there but had an appointment to see their doctor and came in late on sick leave.
You are pointing the finger without knowing the complete stories. You must be the one that blocks people in at 4 cause you are people watching instead of parking in a space. PLEASE GET OUT OF MY WAY.
YA-YA u can get gas there, i have , drive up get out and stick your ATM card right in, pump and go. No questions. you just can't go inside to buy anything.
But I don't like the gas. Walmart is usually the same price and runs better in my car. But nice to know if my bell goes off and need it asap.
Yep I'm a little late responding to this message but Corgimom, I couldn't resist....First of lall ady, you always have a smart response to even the simpliest messages..I did not say that I had a problem with my place of employment or the safety, however, I did say that the parking is an issue for employees as well as patients. The PX expansion is something that isn't as necessary as increasing parking spaces at the hospital and THAT is MY point. For those that concern themselves with where employees are parking rest assured that great security is in place and they will either place a boot on your car if you are there illegally or they will meet you at the door and tell you to move if the back lot is not full!
I am a soldier stationed on FT Gordon and agree that the parking in EAMC needs the most tending to. I have tried to get parking there as early as 0645 and had to park almost in back of parking lot, because employees at hospital take up all parking spots. If parking seems to be low on todem pole, how about opening up weekend clinics or hiring more doctors. I have never been stationed somewhere that takes sometimes months to get an appointment. I have been on Active Duty for 18 years, and this HOSPITAL is without a doubt the worst and LAZIEST IN THE ARMY.
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