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Hi folks, sorry to bother you with something like this on a weekend. But yesterday, the home for veterans in Port Penn, run by Tom Little and Nick Callazo, reared it’s head again. I’ve cc’d Alex here and Mel and Hochman.

To refresh your memory, this is the home for vets Little and Callazo wanted to name after Beau. Back in November, it was made clear to them that Beau’s name wasn’t theirs to use. There were a number of issues we had: we didn’t know the finances or business model of the group, we’re out fundraising for the BBF and they may be targeting some of our donors, unlike the Nat’l Guard building, there’s no guarantee this home will be around in 5 years, and then we’d have a “Beau Biden” center closing.

Apparently, they didn’t listen. Yesterday, Ron forwarded me an invitation to a chapel dedication at the home. The logo clearly says “The Beau Biden Center For Veterans.” I’ve attached the flyer.

I talked to Mel and Schwerin and decided to try to nicely ask them to stop, before moving to something more formal in the form of a letter from Mel to the center.

I called Callazo, the ED, since his number is on the press release and I know him. He quickly punted me to Tom Little, who lives at the center and is a board member. The conversation with Tom did not go well. He was aggressive, rude, dismissive, all the things he was last fall, but a little louder this time. His tone and demeanor reinforced for me the reasons we shouldn’t want Beau’s name associated with something he’s a part of. He said he would never take Beau’s name off the building because Hunter or I asked - he needed to hear from the VP himself. He kept insisting the only way forward was to document this is a letter. He then hung up on me!

My subsequent conversation with Callazo, the ED, was much more gentle. He claims to have been taking his cues from Tom (which I don’t really buy), but agreed that this has gotten out of hand - he just wants this settled.

Mel and Hochman are drafting a letter to be sent to these guys. I will of course share with you as soon as it’s drafted and you can decide the best way to move forward. I had, of course, hoped we’d never get to the point where a letter from counsel was necessary, but after Tom Little demanded it, I am not sure what other recourse we have.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or wish to speak on the phone about this.

Thanks,
Josh


Joshua Alcorn
302/295.8340 (office)
302/598.1885 (cell)
josh@beaubidenfoundation.or