I am writing in response to the DFL activist, Tom Beckfield's, letter to the editor which was filled with many inaccuracies and false insinuations.
Normally I would refrain from bothering to respond to such an obviously outrageous tale but, out of regard for the truth, respect for you the readers and respect and admiration for all our friends and neighbors that were also associated with that local bank, I will comment on a few items and stand up for what's right.
I personally did not own or operate a bank nor do I own a "holding company". My husband Ralph and I, along with over 85 other small investors from the community put money into a start-up community bank in 2003 by purchasing shares of stock, a bank that ultimately failed due primarily to these adverse economic times that we are all struggling with. Regarding an alleged $20,000,000 bail out, there was none. Also, since the bank paid premiums into the FDIC insurance fund, as all banks do, there is no loss to taxpayers of any kind.
On the subject of "bogus travel" from years ago, there simply was none. An error was made by a state employee when mileage calculations were done for about a six month period. When the error, totaling a few hundred dollars was found, it was corrected and the excess payment was refunded to the State immediately. There was no reimbursement of $190,000.
Regarding the issue of staff being overpaid; some employee classifications were approved by the Human Resources Dept. of the Secretary of State's office, but were later determined to be classified in error. Compensations were corrected and repaid if necessary by those employees.
As Secretary of State, any and all issues of the office and its responsibilities were completed and finalized. The work of the office was cleared up and appropriate actions taken as necessary by myself and my wonderful staff in an open and honest manner. I have always lived and served with integrity and honesty and I will continue to do so
All of us, as citizens of this community and this great State should leave the hog troughs and accompanying by products on the farm. We need to stand together and work together to face the challenges of these tough times.
