A veteran and the first African American to enlist in the Coast Guard from Brookhaven, Curtis Oliver was approved by the Board of Supervisors Thursday to volunteer with the Veterans Affairs office of Lincoln County.

Oliver will attend VA training next week in Columbus. The county will cover the cost of a two-night stay at a hotel in Columbus and travel expenses.

Oliver is currently working on a master’s degree with the University of Phoenix and will receive his work-study hours through the Lincoln County VA.

“We could really use the help,” said Dwayne Gill, Lincoln County Veterans Service officer. “It’s a sort of a calling an individual has to have. The reward comes from helping people.”

Gill said there is enough work for a volunteer to work four hours a day.

“Both y’all working together would be a great blessing,” said the Rev. Jerry Wilson, District One supervisor.

Oliver served in the Coast Guard for seven years in administrative positions, primarily in the United States. He has experience volunteering with veterans in the Lincoln County area.

“I always had a passion for the community and always had a passion for veterans,” Oliver said.

Other items discussed at the Board of Supervisors Accounts payable meeting Thursday included:

• Gill read a letter to the board announcing Miriam Moyer received a claim for the death of her husband, who suffered the effects of radiation from Atomic bomb testing while serving in the navy. Moyer has been working more than 20 years in an effort to receive the payment from the United States Department of Justice.

• Clifford Galey, Lincoln County Civil Defense/Emergency Management director, is temporarily reporting to Louisville to work with the Incident Management team. The team was organized immediately following the April 28 tornados. Galey is leaving Friday morning, relieving current team members in Louisville.

• An Interstate 55 lighting bill for $590.92 was approved.

• Two utility permits were granted to AT&T for the installation of phone lines on Heucks Retreat Road. The board added a stipulation to the permit that the workers must stay to the right of the road, not destroy existing pavement and re-sod any grass that is damaged.

• The budget was revised for the ongoing road-striping work in Lincoln County.

• The budget for an ongoing micro seal project was revised, adding $2,000 to the existing fund.