Gassman hears concerns on social services

Representative Tedd Gassman made it to Buffalo Center for a delayed legislative forum on Friday, Feb. 15, as the area was still digging out from a storm the day before. Senator Dennis Guth wasn’t able to make it in for the meeting with constituents at the Heritage Town Center.

Winnebago County Supervisor Bill Jensvold was among the small group gathered for the discussion. He told Gassman that Winnebago County would like to form its own region for social services. He says the County has been part of a 22-county region called County Social Services (CSS), but Winnebago County submitted a letter to withdraw from CSS after numerous issues.

Jensvold says he has no trust in the CEO of CSS, Bob Lincoln, following his handling of the budget and eliminating the position of longtime Service Coordinator Sandy Mireles.

Jensvold says the CEO went $5 million over an $18 million budget one year. He says Mireles was blamed for the financial situation because she approved funding requests, but Jensvold says she approved all requests based on merit. “She never knows what the bottom dollar is,” said Jensvold.

For the full story, see this week's Buffalo Center Tribune. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.