Dear Editor,
The court ordered monitor for Lincoln Hills, Teresa Abreu, claims conditions have “vastly improved” at the prison. DOC Secretary Kevin Carr states, “I believe we are certainly on the right road.” Lance Horozewski, assisant administrator of Juvenile Corrections, says, “We will continue to hold them (inmates) accountable,” Karyn Rotker, attorney for the ACLU, said that despite recent incidents, conditions continue to improve.
These statements come from vast ignorance and some are outright lies. The prison has continued to deteriorate since Act 10, which Tom Tiffany supported, was passed. Riots, assaults, sexual harassment (sometimes by members of management) and threats are daily occurences. The corrections officers’ very lives are in danger every day and the state says things are getting BETTER? The sheriff’s department had to be called to regain control of the prison. Emergency response teams from adult prisons had to be called to help supress the violence, again. 10% of the guards are consistently off work due to injuries received on the job. Not even firemen who face terrible danger on their job has this level of injury rate. I can understand the court ordered monitor being wrong. She sees and hears exactly what the state wants her to see and hear. The inmates she speaks with are carefully chosen. The guards, who are regularly forced to work 5 or 6 sixteen hour shifts in a row, know if they speak out, they will be fired. Its a “dog and pony show.” The state is lying through its teeth in order to look better. There is not one chance that the state will be ready to close the prison by the deadline. No one wants a prison in their backyard and the GOP will never pony up the money needed. The prison is a powder keg due to poor management, idiotic legislation, ignorance by the ACLU and a clueless judge. There can be no help for these inmates until there is some degree of control.
Doug Curtis
Gleason
Editor,
This last weekend I found myself at Fleet Farm in Wausau for some hunting items. I figured I’d save a trip and get some screws for my honey do list as well. When I couldn’t find them, I asked an associate who was going through the bins himself. His response was what I’ve sadly come to expect from the big box stores like Home Depot, “You’re in the right aisle,” then he walked away. I eventually found something close enough, but decided, close enough is not good enough.
In a stark contrast to that experience, I went to Ace Hardware in Merrill. As soon as I got to the main aisle, Ryan greeted me and asked if I needed any help. I told him that I was just looking for some machine screws. He asked what size. I responded, and he instantly knew, “You’re working on cabinets, aren’t you? Then you’ll need a truss head.” He led me exactly to the correct spot, opened the drawer, and asked how many I needed. I was in and out with exactly what I needed in 5 minutes, as opposed to wandering helplessly up and down the same aisle repeatedly. While this may not increase your add-on sales (sorry), it will definitely help your repeat customers. I would just like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire staff at the Merrill Ace Hardware. We moved here 3 short years ago and since then we have painted, planted and fixed tons of stuff around our house, resulting in plenty of quick trips to Ace to get the right tool for the job. I have NEVER had a bad experience at your store. While you may not be able to offer every item the big box store can, you offer something far more valuable and rare: true customer service. Thank you.
Erin & Jordan McKeen
Merrill
Editor,
On September 24, 2019, I made a presentation to the MAPS School Board stating my support to establish a therapy dog policy.I asked a number of questions, requested answers by the October meeting, and was instructed to email Dr. Sample the information. I did – no answers to date. I attended the October 9, 2019 Committee Meeting, Therapy Dog Discussion was on the agenda. An explanation was provided about the current process, but the most telling statements I heard were:
“All needs have been met concerning therapy dogs. Visits are currently done at Kate Goodrich, Prairie River Middle School & Pine River Early Learning.”
“The school board is about establishing policy, and should not be involved in therapy dog visits.”and “I like dogs, but, …”
I commented, ” It is nice to hear everyone likes dogs, but this is not about liking dogs, this is about the students well being, health, and success”.
I reviewed my presentation; the term “therapy dog policy” was used six times, visiting once. Was anyone paying attention?
Please watch the presentation in it’s entirety at:
https://merrillproductions.viebit.com/player.php?hash=tZswSVSBOBoj
Policies, even external, are meant to be followed. When compromised, the insurance policy that the certifying organization provides is void. Should this happen again, we all have failed.
Most importantly, if you have or know of a student, that is not “having their needs met”, please contact Ms Baker – Administration, and the principal of your school.
Thank you.
Eileen Guthrie
Merrill