To the Editor-

On Saturday May 7th, the Stevens Point Journal ran a front page story concerning the county’s long term inability to balance its books.

Midway through the story, the reporter gratuitously introduced unrelated material making it appear that the treasurer’s office is somehow responsible for the problem.

Let me be clear: this problem has nothing to do with the treasurer’s office or its staff. A year ago the county installed a new computer system and since has been unable to master the system, or to balance their books as a result. The treasurer’s office does not reconcile these books. A finance employee reconciles these books.

The problem with this system and the ability of the finance office to use the system is the issue. The treasurer’s office has never been trained on this function of the system by the finance office.

The treasurer’s office is not the problem. It is doing its job well. To imply otherwise is to slander the good people of that office who are doing their jobs with competence and skill.

For the reporter to introduce unfounded innuendo into her story is either gross incompetence or sheer malice. Sometimes the two are in their effect the same. I am for one tired of this treatment, and my good name being constantly slandered for no good reason. This has to stop.

I hope the people of Portage County do not feed into this negativity and these misinformation. I need for you all to know the truth.

Stephanie Stokes
Portage County Treasurer