WORKSHOP BOARD BREAKS TIES WITH VIP

PERRYVILLE -- After 26 years of managing Perry County's sheltered workshop for the disabled, VIP Industries has been voted out.

Eight of nine persons appointed to the county's Senate Bill 40 Board met for the first time Monday, and seven voted not to renew the Cape Girardeau firm's contract.

Hillary Schmittzehe, operator of VIP Industries, said he didn't know what to make of the situation.

"It's so politically hamstrung now, I'm not used to this," Schmittzehe said. "I'm not used to dealing with these kind of issues. We're in the business of serving the handicapped."

Members of the Senate Bill 40 Board, which distributes county tax money to organizations for the handicapped, said their work isn't going to get any easier.

Ownership of workshop properties, control over finances and appointment of a new workshop contractor are all subjects that will demand the new board's attention over the next two months, said state Rep. Patrick Naeger, who was selected board chairman.

The former Senate Bill 40 board was told to dissolve itself earlier this month after county commissioners said it had violated a state statute on reappointment of its members.

When picking a new contractor, the board needs to hear presentations from any legitimate candidates, including the former contractor, said the Rev. Robert Hutteger, a new board member.

Schmittzehe said he didn't have any personal feelings about reapplying. It would be a decision his board would have to make, he said.

Although Perry County owns the building and the land it sits on, doubts exist about equipment inside and adjacent grounds.

A two-acre tract of land adjacent to workshop property had been purchased last year for $36,000 from the Senate Bill 40 board, but the title for the land was in the name of the Perryville workshop. This occurred although the incorporation of the Perryville workshop had been allowed to expire in 1986, leaving Cape Girardeau Sheltered Workshops Inc. of VIP Industries to assume control.

"That's a case of when the land was purchased and the public wasn't notified," said new board member Ruth Tinker. "This board won't do things that way."

Some records of past purchases such as computers and other office supplies along with capital improvements should be available, Naeger said. But a lack of clear purchasing records means the county will lose, he said.

"Technically, it's going to be theirs, paid for by Perry County," Naeger said.

Perry County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Hoeh told the board he would look into ownership questions.

"I didn't realize things were so confused," Hutteger said.

Jim Lottes, one of three members of the previous board who was selected for the new board, chose to abstain from voting on renewal of VIP Industries' contract. Former board member Naeger voted against renewal, while Adrian Moll chose not to attend the board meeting.

Moll had said last week that despite his appointment he would not participate in the new board.

No discussion by the board was made Monday about replacing Moll.

Lottes, who was treasurer for the old board, was selected to resume the role on Monday. He said $287,000 remained in the board's bank account.

The board receives about $190,000 annually from a county property tax. This money is distributed at the board's discretion to either sheltered workshops, group homes or organizations that serve the handicapped.

Historically, Naeger said, all the money has gone to the sheltered workshop.

Amounts of $6,000 to $7,000 are usually paid from the account to VIP Industries and Regency Management, both operated by Schmittzehe, Lottes told the board. However, he could not say how regularly these payments are made.

Since two former board members still have legal authority to write checks on the account, Hoeh advised the new board to inform the bank of who now would write checks as soon as possible.

The board will hold its next meeting on Friday.