Letter to the Editor: The plain facts

In a recent letter, one Mr. Wells, stated that criticism of Billy Hill’s management of funds for the veterans’ Stand Down was “uninformed” and that “we can all use some comic relief in these trying times.”

Look at some cold hard facts for just one year when Mr. Hill managed the money for the Stand Down.

FACT ONE: Mr. Hill requested $5200 from the agency which runs the Stand Downs which are funded by U.S. taxpayers, including Sanders County residents. VA Form 4-135a-ADP, Part VA000003 [found 5.25 inches down from top].

FACT TWO: Of that amount, $2700 was designated for “Storage”. [same form, 5 inches down]

FACT THREE: Mr. Hill received and cashed a check for the $5200. VA Form 4-135a-ADP, Part V000007, [Trace Number 8249813, Confirmation Date 11/26/13]

FACT FOUR: Mr. Hill paid the Sanders County Fair Board only $500 of his bill for $2,500. [confirmation of the $500 can be had from the Fair Board and even Mr. Hill admits he paid that amount].

FACT FIVE: Mr. Hill, in his own handwriting, claimed $6,000 for “Storage and Facility”. Form 4-135a – ADP, Part VA000002. [Line 4: $1350 for “Storage” for May 5th. Line 5: $1230 for “facility” for May 5th. Line 13: $1350 for “Storage” for May 6th

FACT SIX: Mr. Hill also solicited cash donations from businesses throughout the county for the Stand Down.

FACT SEVEN: These are the facts for one year. It has happened in two years.

In conclusion, Mr. Hill claimed $6,000. Got $5,200. $2,700 of that, according the agency, was for “storage.” Mr. Hill give the Fair Board $500 even though they billed him $2,500.

That $2,000 difference is taxpayer money.

I wonder if the honest tax payers in this county are rolling on the floor laughing. I wonder if veterans believe this is one of the things they were defending when serving their country. I wonder if they’re having a barrel of laughs or whether they see it differently than Mr. Wells.

Ernest Scherzer,

Trout Creek