I would like to speak about the article concerning the home health worker theft of $50 in which Quality Care Nursing was named as her employer.

First, Quality Care Nursing was not her employer, although we were instrumental in seeing she was caught and given a police record so she cannot go down the street to another agency and do the same thing.

This worker had applied, was background checked and did work for me. She also worked for several other agencies in the Tri-State area that I will not name out of professionalism that I was not given.

What The Tribune needs to understand is a policy that names innocent associates of criminals is a win for the criminals. Our agency has always worked very closely with local law enforcement to make sure bad apples get a record and therefore can’t be employed in home health. However, we all deal with theft issues and should be able to handle them responsibly without the threat of being publicly associated with an issue out of our control. Employee theft cannot be predicted and happens at any agency or business. As an employee, if you accidentally walk out with 10 ink pens you have stolen more than $50 from your employer.

The Tribune recently published an article concerning eight businesses that sent representatives to pay more than $20,000 in past due property taxes. These eight businesses were not named but an innocent business having a $50 theft issue was named. It was wise not to name eight local businesses who acted responsibly in the matter.

I have spoken to the leadership at The Tribune and have been told, “Faced with the same issue in the future, the newspaper would write it the same way.”

This puts all agencies and businesses on notice that we better just pay the damages, terminate the employee and keep our mouth shut for fear of public scrutiny over our trying to protect the elderly community. This lets the bad apples have free reign over their prey with a clean police record. They can then go work in our schools, day cares, banks, or nursing homes.

Maybe The Tribune should step in and create a policy that helps local business provide theft-free services without threat of punishment or public association for doing so.

Simply print the names of the guilty and leave the innocent out of it.

Dr. Douglas J. Freeman, CEO

Quality Care Nursing Service

South Point

 

Editor’s note: The Ironton Police Department officially confirmed the home health worker was employed at Quality Care.

 

Annual turkey dinner helps Ironton Catholic schools

It’s October and once again it is time for the Ironton Catholic Schools largest fall fundraiser.

Each year, on the last Sunday of October, we hold our Annual Turkey Dinner in the St. Joseph Church Undercroft. This year the dinner will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Many hours of preparation and hard work are contributed to help make our dinner successful.

More than 2,000 dinners are cooked and served by volunteers. Carryout dinners are a major part of this event. We also serve more than 700 people, joining their family and friends for a delicious meal of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, cranberries, dessert and a beverage.

Dinner guests are seated at festively decorated tables and are served by students of our Ironton Catholic Schools. St. Lawrence Elementary students display their talents by providing the colorful centerpieces and wall décor.

In order to ensure success, parents in both schools give their time and help with the dinner. We also have many volunteers who no longer have students in our schools, but generously give their time and talent to help us succeed.

Returning this year there will be a Vendor Shopping Event in the St. Joseph High School Gymnasium. Several vendors will be offering a wide range of products perfect for your upcoming shopping needs. As our tradition, the craft & bake sale will be available in the church undercroft. You may purchase chances for raffle items including a beautiful wreath donated by Weber’s Florists, Middle of the Magic Travel basket, or a gift certificate donated by A Touch of Grace, along with other festive baskets.

We are tremendously grateful for all of our Turkey Dinner Patrons whose names are listed on our placemats. We are also thankful to the many of you who come to visit us sharing in the fellowship and warmth of this wonderful meal. Ironton is a great community and we are blessed each year with continued support.

Please come, bring your neighbors, family and friends. We sincerely hope to see you there.

 

Sissy Clyse and Cara Clark

Development Directors, Ironton Catholic Schools