Mailbag: 11/2

Thanks from, changes within Homeless Haven

Homeless Haven of Sauk County, Inc. wishes to thank Al and Jo Zipsie for their generous support.

Due to the procurement of a CD on behalf of Homeless Haven, an unfortunate conflict of interest has arisen and Al Zipsie can no longer occupy the treasurer’s position. Al Zipsie remains a valued board member. Richard Scully has been named the new treasurer for the organization as of Oct. 17, 2009. All monetary donations may still be sent to Homeless Haven at

P. O. Box 339, Baraboo, WI. 53913.

Due to time constraints, Homeless Haven President Laurel Leonard requested to return to her formerly held board position as secretary. The new president is longtime board member Tim Zuleger.

Calls continue to come in for shelter and we hope to open in the near future. Funding is still needed for operating expenses so we may continue to assist the homeless. We wish to thank the many individual people and organizations who have supported us in the moving of St. Joseph’s Convent House.

We will be having an open house on November 14 with a raffle for two Wine Tasting tickets and a homemade afghan, along with other door prizes. There will also be a bake sale.

We encourage the public to attend this open house.

Betty Krueger, executive director, and the Board of Directors of Homeless Haven

 

SCHS announces raffle winners

Congratulations to Sue Hasse of Baraboo (two tickets), Peg Traeder of Oxford (two tickets), and Tim Hanger of Baraboo (free adoption) on being winners of the first Sauk County Humane Society’s "Tails Gate" raffle.

Last weekend was the SCHS Holiday Open House which featured Santa and his sleigh with a professional photographer, face painting for the kids, stocking decorating for the kids, silent auction and bake sale.

Stay tuned for more new Sauk County Humane Society Events (golf outing in May) to come.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket or helped sell tickets. Our residents appreciate your help making their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

 

Christian J. Russo, executive director, Sauk County Humane Society

 

Let’s end Medicaid, Medicare fraud

I have had it! We are told there are billions of dollars of fraud and abuse in Medicaid and Medicare. We need to demand our lawmakers put an end to this now.

Here is how. We make them pass a law that gives anyone committing fraud or abuse six months to self report. In exchange the only penalty will be a fine. Those who have committed a total of $5,000 or less in fraud need only report it and pay a small fine. Anyone committing more than $5,001 will need to report the names of others involved and exactly how long and how they did it.

All should be encouraged to err on the side of caution and fill out a form developed for the purpose of self reporting. Each individual involved would be subject to a small fine. Again each individual will ultimately be responsible for reporting themselves, even if they believe someone else is reporting them. We allow for a temporary moratorium on prosecutions during the self-reporting period. This would provide plenty of time for people to get the needed forms and documentation together to self report.

Now to end the theft itself. This law would further state anyone who does not self report will be tracked down and prosecuted. The law would set out anyone convicted of fraud or abuse would get one shot at appeal and no plea bargains. The mandatory sentence would be life in prison. The justification for such a sentence is pretty simple. These thieves are committing a crime against more than 300 million people.

These crimes are not a spur of the moment thing, not a crime of passion or a crime justified by any mental illness. To the extent there may be some thrill seekers seeing what they can get by with, the sentence and self report should end any thrill or high they think they are getting.

I am sending this to our representatives in D.C. Call them and tell them what you think should be done. Good luck.

Wayne Lain, Baraboo

Eleanor Chiquoine receives praise

 

We, some of the many volunteers who serve the Sauk County Humane Society, are writing to congratulate and express our deep appreciation to Eleanor Chiquoine for her outstanding years of service as our volunteer coordinator and the educator and Community Outreach coordinator of the Sauk County Humane Society.

She has proved nothing less than the hard-working, dedicated and loyal professional she is, as well as a strong advocate for the Shelter. (Who else would get up once a week at 3:30 a.m. all year round, drive from Reedsburg to the Shelter to walk the selected canine or prepare a feline for the long trip to TV station Channel 15 in Madison? Once they arrived she had to be ready to go live at 5:30 a.m. with a an excited dog or cat before returning to the Shelter for a full day of work there).

She is a strong team role model for the Shelter’s staff, volunteers and service to the Shelter animals and our (Sauk County) communities as well. She is such a strong advocate for animals and it has been our privilege to have had such a wonderful mentor.

We love your enthusiastic approach to all you do and your concern for each of us. Your work ethic and approach to your duties (and ours) along with your creativity, made it fun to be volunteers and has been such a gift (not only to those of us whose names appear below) but to all volunteers at the Sauk County Humane Society. The Shelter has grown so much during your time there in many ways and so has our volunteer team.

Best wishes and our continued support goes with you as you pursue other professional opportunities and directions that lay ahead of you.

Life at the Shelter just won’t be the same, but we promise to continue to do our best, in a way that would make you proud.

Good luck and please don’t forget us.

Volunteers of the Sauk County Humane Society: Mary Kathleen Broerman, Wisconsin Dells; Kay Bongers, Prairie du Sac; Meredeth Selden, Sauk City; Sharon Wallace, Reedsburg; Faith Bidgood, Reedsburg; Barb Fearn, Baraboo; Michelle Olson, Wisconsin Dells