Department of Veterans Affairs Audit

On October 21st, the majority of my colleagues on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee instructed the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct an audit of Wisconsin's veterans homes, which are overseen by the state Department of Veterans Affairs.  There are two veteran homes located in Wisconsin: King and Union Grove.  These facilities provide medical services, nursing care, counseling services and social activities in a residential setting for Wisconsin veterans who actively served our country.

The King and Union Grove veterans homes are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health Services and funding is provided through Medical Assistance payments, resident contributions, and per diem payments made by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  The facilities are required to comply with state and federal regulations concerning staffing levels, service standards, and sanitary and physical plant requirements.

In August, concerns about unauthorized spending by the Department of Veterans Affairs on the two veterans homes were brought to the attention of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.  More than $743,000 worth of questionable payments were made in purchasing vehicles and an automated tablet packaging system for dispensing prescription drugs.  Questionable donations totaling $25,000 were awarded to Fox Valley Technical College and the Waupaca Area Community Foundation.  Thus, the Veterans Affairs Board came forward to work with the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and prioritize areas that would be the focus of the audit conducted with the veterans homes.

The audit will include a review of administrative costs, expenditures made by different funding sources, compliance with purchasing procedures, contracting processes, numbers trends with staff and residents, the transfer of funds from the King veterans home to the Union Grove veterans home, and overall compliance with state law and policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Upon completion of the audit sometime in mid-2010, it is my hope that my colleagues on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and I can work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Affairs Board in addressing any "problem spending" while ensuring our veterans receive the best care possible at the King and Union Grove facilities. 

 Veterans Day is November 11th

The significance of November 11th as Veterans Day dates back to 1918, when an armistice went into effect that essentially ended World War I.  One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day, "a day filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory..."  Congress then recognized November 11, 1918 as the official end of World War I by passing a resolution on June 4, 1926.  The federal government enacted a new law in 1938 that recognized Armistice Day as an official, legal holiday before amending the law in 1954 to change the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. 

In honor of Veterans Day this year, a number of community events and programs have been scheduled to recognize the service, dedication and heroism of our nation's war veterans:

• Mahone Middle School has scheduled a Veterans Day program beginning at 9:00am in which the families of four Kenosha County soldiers who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will be honored.  Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton is the scheduled guest speaker. 

• The Trevor School district has scheduled a program for 10:00am, with the keynote speech to be delivered by First Lady Jessica Doyle.

• American Legion Post 21 will hold a ceremony at 10:00AM followed by a luncheon with free stew at 504 58th Street.  A dinner has been scheduled at the same location at 6:00PM on November 14th.

• A Veterans Day Celebration will take place at Campus Union Grove at 11:00AM.

• VFW Post 7308 will honor our fallen soldiers at St. Marks Cemetery at 11:00AM.

• VFW Post 1865 will hold a Veterans Day ceremony at 11:00AM.  A luncheon will follow at 12:00PM and then a flag retirement will take place at 3:00PM.  The location is 6618 39th Avenue.

• Catholic Central High School will host a program beginning at 1:00pm.  The event will feature Todd Weiler, a historian on the 2nd Bomb Group who will talk about the life of pilot James Weiler, a native of Burlington. 

• Applebee's will be offering free meals to veterans on November 11th.  On November 16th, veterans will be treated to free meals at the Golden Corral.

To all of our veterans who have proudly served our nation at war, thank you for your service!

Rep. Samantha Kerkman is pictured with Mattel Toy Store Assistant Manager Jolene Dahmen and Regional Manager Jeff Toboyek at the store's grand opening.

Mattel Toy Store Grand Opening

This week, I attended the grand opening of the seasonal Mattel Toy Store in Wilmot, which is located at the American Girl complex at 12400 Fox River Road.  I was very pleased to see the incredible turn-out for this event as we head into the 2009 Christmas shopping season.  This store will certainly provide a much-needed economic boost to the area by allocating good paying jobs to residents while attracting shoppers looking to buy the latest in-demand toys for their children this Christmas.

Mattel products offered by the toy store include Hot Wheels, Barbie, Fisher Price, Matchbox, Tyco, and Power Wheels, along with closeouts from previous lines, and discounted items with slightly imperfect packaging.  The store's hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00AM until 6:00PM, and it offers free coffee for the adults and a play area for kids.  I encourage you to take the time to check out the Mattel Toy Store where I'm sure you'll be able to check a few items off of your Christmas shopping list.  Should you need any additional information prior to your visit to the store, the contact number is 262-862-4966 and the e-mail address is MidToyStore@AmericanGirl.com.

Wisconsin Blue Books still Available