Litchfield Independent Review - Around Litchfield - Comments

I am always amazed when

sammy — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:59:35 -0600

I am always amazed when people become so upset about taking financial responsibility for their children.

It seems that there are some who just love playing the role of victim. This is sad. If they want my pity, they have it.

I appreciate pinchhitter's comments, and agree completely.

In addition, I would like to point out that there are now many on-line universities (even Ridgewater offers some courses on-line), where anyone with internet access can further their education, obtain a better job, and improve their lives. I think that it is safe to say that anyone who is older than the average student, has children, is low income, and has a disability, will be able to receive a great deal of financial aid. In fact they would probably be able to obtain a degree for little or nothing. But, then again, perhaps it is just easier to blame social services.

I apologize for being off topic. Perhaps a new thread should be started.

Regarding the FBI investigation: Does anyone here actually have evidence of intimidation by any department? If so, by all means call the FBI. If someone is guilty of a crime, they should receive consequences.

I know that this is the

pinchhitter — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:38:50 -0600

I know that this is the thread for the FBI article, but I feel compelled to respond to the comments about the posts from people concerning child support. First of all, child support is calculated using a standard formula. The county workers cannot just make up numbers - they have a formula they use that determines what people pay and receive for child support. Also, I understand illness firsthand, but if someone is legitimately unable to work, they will qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There are many people who live on less than the wage mentioned in this thread. There are even families who are forced to live on less than that. I do sympathize with the fact that the poster now walks with a limp, but to blame the county seems a bit far-fetched. It seems to me that he may have left out a part of the story. Furthermore, to respond to "yourhero's" post, it is sad that he can no longer work for you, but walking with a cane does not necessarily mean that you can no longer work at all.

This man who walks with a

yourhero — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:50:42 -0600

This man who walks with a cane. Hes crippled cause he swore at Social service. Cml you think that's ok? First of all I was his boss. He worked for me for years. He cant anymore cause of his leg. We live in a world that has a lot of mistakes. We as humans make lots of them. I have made many mistakes also. God bless my wife for staying with me. That's fair a swear word for a leg .You must be employed by Social service. What kind of human being are you? I went to one of his hearings. What I witnessed there I will never forget.I cant even go there. Well I just hope I never swear at a person and make that trade. God bless everyone

I will tell you that this

LoriM — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:17:26 -0600

I will tell you that this investigation into Meeker County began a very long time ago. I did know that they were coming, just not sure when. I also know that there is a lot of information already given to the FBI that warranted the investigation to be taken to this level. I trust that the FBI will take any and all measures to get the corruption out of this county. They would not be wasting their time and money if they didn't have enough evidence to believe that they can get a conviction.

People, please let the FBI know if you have information that can help them. This is the time to do it, you may not get another chance. Do not let these corrupt people intimidate or threaten you. I have no time for that kind of behavior and I have the right to speak about the corruption that I know about.

If at any time you are being threatened by someone, report it immediately. If not to the FBI, contact our Chief of Police, Pat Fank he is a wonderful guy and I believe that he will do what he can to protect you. We need more people like him in offices in this county! There are very few people in this county that I trust but Pat Fank is one of them!!

Several years ago I came across corrupt information and began my own investigating. People in this county (certain offices that is) didn't like it and I was offered money to shut up! As you can see, I didn't take the money because this isn't about money, it's about human lives, honestly and integrity which is lacking in this county!!!

Please remember that in the

cml3165 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:34:52 -0600

Please remember that in the United States of America someone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Unless you wish to sink to a level at or below that of those you are bashing, hold your comments. There are proper ways to file charges against a Social Services Department in Minnesota. You can file with the state Department of Health Education and Welfare. As far as any investigation, I say contact the FBI if you have relevant information and they can process it. These blogs do seem to indicate there might be a problem. That problem may be perception or not taking a good look at the party involved in the problem. I have handled many upset people. My observations are that the difficulty often is miscommuncation. This can be poor listening or poor speaking. Then the other factor is word of mouth with no insight to both sides. I have seen an issue relayed by one party that was relayed a completely different way by the other party. Have there been problems. YES Has there been a crime? That is what is being investigated. Investigated does not mean it happened only that someone is trying to gather enough information to warrent going farther. This is like cookies missing from a cookie jar. Well the mom has to ask questions, not blame one child over another. Some times you find a child did take the cookie, sometimes you find dad did and sometimes you find out you counted wrong to begin with. What you do not do is go online and call a child a thief without asking the questions. You also do not listen to tattle tails who may have a vested intrest in not taking any blame themself. Be polite to your social worker, be polite to an officer, because you know very well if you spit on someone they will not help you process anything. You don't take that why should they. I heard a sad story here until I reread it and it said someone was swearing. I can tell you if you swear at me you will get nothing. No one has to take that.

320-251-9394 FBI Field

LitchRes — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:26:51 -0600

320-251-9394
FBI Field Office-St Cloud

all they have to do is call and say they have information on meeker co to get the ball rolling.

320-251-9394 FBI Field

LitchRes — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:23:47 -0600

320-251-9394
FBI Field Office-St Cloud

People are afraid to say

randay91 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:42:40 -0600

People are afraid to say anything I think. My family member was afraid when he resigned. We need to encourage people to speak up but those who need too are scared of ramifications....It would help if the FBI would ask for people to come forward. I know people who want to but do not know how to go about it and who do not have internet either.

There is a lady that I know

randay91 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:35:06 -0600

There is a lady that I know named Audrey who worked for the jail for many years she wants to talk to the FBI about stuff she knows about such as inmates money being taken and personal belongings not being given back. She saw this and wants to talk...who does she contact??? Anyone know???? She quit because of what she saw going on....

Sammy, You have a great

randay91 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:28:21 -0600

Sammy,

You have a great post....what many do not realize it that social services hands are tied in many situations...they have no choice but to follow state legislative guidelines when it comes to income, foodstamps, daycare assistance and child support payments or deductions. Don't blame them...they just do their jobs...blame your legislators.

My mother worked for social services for 20 years and many nights she came home in tears because there are real people with real prblems and because of the laws she could not help them...it is a very tough job and if those people did not care about the people that come into their office they would not be in that field.

I actually get tired of people who complain about paying child support...pay the ****** child support!!! Your child needs and depends on it!!! If it was paid in the first place there would be no reason for social services to have to become involved!!!!!!!

Talk is cheap, it takes

LitchRes — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:12:11 -0600

Talk is cheap, it takes money to buy whiskey. If its actual corruption, then call the FBI at the number I posted earlier. I sure cant think of anyone else safer to give the information to.

"Corruption and other things from the police department to child support."--I hope you meant the Sheriffs Dept, not the police dept? Thats where the true problems are.

Not trying to attack your comments, but I wanted a clarification and give some strong encouragement to do the right thing and not just hint to us that there is as story to tell. Tell someone!

no doubt the county godfathers are reading all of this, thats fine, I encourage it, maybe a couple of them will become enlightened.

would i ever love to tell my

meekerperson — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:46:22 -0600

would i ever love to tell my story about this county and child support and child welfare and the victims advocate o yeah i have the freedom of speech so i can if you want to hear it email me thank you meekerperson. o yeah not everyone can afford 1.50 for a ride on a bus some of us pay so much child support there is no way i once was like you people that have never been affected by this county but then MY WIFE KICKED ME OUT AND GOT EVERYTHING.I bring home 680.00 a month out of 12.50 an hour tell me how that is fair add up them numbers yea im below poverty level. thank you meeker county.

Hey Brent I have talked with

friendofsociety — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:41:35 -0600

Hey Brent I have talked with this young man as well as Kristi Piehl from channel 5. There's a story here that needs to be told. Corruption and other things from the police department to child support. The young man is terrified what Meeker county will do next to him. If he lets the story out. I promise you will get it first emailed to you. Brent we live in this town. I and others would love to give names and facts. I do know this Meeker county is monitoring this site like white on rice.They will intimidate people on here as well at our homes. There is no justice for what has been done to this person. No punishment can make up for this. Brent for most of the people out there this is there only chance to tell there story

I think too many of those

Brent Schacherer — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:06:48 -0600

I think too many of those who have commented are going overboard in their zeal to convict someone or some department because of some perceived wrong you have suffered. Again, this section does no one any good if all anyone does is call names and toss out unsubstantiated claims.

I agree with some of the posters, such as LitchRes, who have suggested that those who have information should contact the FBI. The FBI, after all, is the agency that launched the investigation. If you don't provide information to someone who can do something about it, then do you really want justice or do you just want to attack an individual or department.

Let's also remember that an investigation is just that, an attempt to find more information. It is by no means an indictment or conviction. Many investigations end without any charges brought.

If the comments continue in the vein they have recently, we will have no option but to take them down.

Brent Schacherer

editor

I pray every day that there

msdoe — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:55:25 -0600

I pray every day that there is change in that county. I also hope that they are worried and nervous; that is not anywhere in the same realm as the feelings my friend has gone through the last five years. They have done nothing short of try to slowly deminish my friend.