Mercer County Commissioners voted Thursday to create the Mercer County Veterans Advisory Council.

The council will be a voice for the county's 13,000 veterans and eight service organizations and the eyes and ears for the county Veterans Affairs Office.

Its top priorities will be ensuring veterans' benefits are not cut and relaying veterans' concerns to the county, according to William F. Brandenstein, who has been appointed council commander.

The council plans to start meeting within a month and on a quarterly basis after that, Brandenstein said.

The council is made up of 20 members. Eleven will attend the bulk of the meetings, while nine are alternates.

The members represent each of the county's eight service organizations: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 55, Korean War Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, Vietnam-era War Veterans, Marine Corps League and the Italian-American War Veterans.

Chairman Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman said the county has considered creating the advisory council for at least a year, but other pressing county issues have sidetracked the plans. He said he was proud the county could create one now.

Brenneman lauded Commissioner Kenneth Seamens for being the driving force behind establishing the council.

Seamens, an Army veteran, said he will serve as the liaison to the committee. "You can have my ear any time. I have a soft spot in my heart for veterans. This is long past due," Seamens said.

Retired Col. James Smartz, the full-time director of the county Veterans Affairs Office, plans to resign in June, Brenneman said. "Contrary to rumor, the Mercer County Veteran's Office will continue," Brenneman said, adding that the advisory council will play an important role in finding a replacement.