LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: NEEDS OF VIP CLIENTS ALWAYS COME FIRST

To the editor:

I am a salesman with VIP Industries. I had the pleasure of working at the Perryville workshop for most of the past three months. I was there because I was asked by Hillary Schmittzehe and because of my concern for the welfare of the clients we serve. I have kept quiet concerning all that has transpired, because what was going on involved legal issues that I am not knowledgeable about. Your July 6 article has changed all of that. It specifically addressed issues that involve me as one of the managers in Perryville during a very tumultuous three months.

I work for VIP when I could, in fact, be making more income working in the private sector. I have elected to work for VIP because it allows me a chance to help bring a little sunshine into the lives of these people.

While working in Perryville, I worked with all of the clients, and I tried to maintain a fun yet productive environment. I saw no one working under any pressure. In fact, the supervisor replacements did everything possible to keep the atmosphere upbeat and positive despite the negative recurring phone calls at night to clients from the previous staff. It is beyond me why these handicapped employees had to be fed negative criticism from those who walked off the job. They should not have to endure such negativity from either party about the other one. I think this was shameful behavior.

It really angers me that anyone would say that there was tension in the air or threats of any kind. That is ridiculous. Every decision that was made in Perryville was based on what would be best for the clients.

In the days before we left, Terry Erlacker and Jeff Regelsperger gave me a paper card telling me how much they were going to miss me. Terry even drew a caricature of me which I placed in my work area. Dale Walker was my buddy, constantly following me at break and conversing with me extensively. I hope and pray that the transition is successful, not for the new people but for all of the clients whom I care about.

I would like to state for the record that I like Bill Tweedy and Lauren Mattingly. I think they are good managers, and I hope they will be able to handle the operations portion of the workshop.

I have several questions. Doesn't it seem funny that if the supervisors were concerned about the clients, why would they walk off the job? Couldn't they have started a grievance process. Even if it meant being fired, at least they could say they stood their ground. Walking off the job left the clients with doubt and confusion as to why Bill and Lauren left them.

Why don't you return to Perryville and ask all of the clients what they think of Greg, Barry, Sharon and Morris? I can't imagine them having anything but good things to say. I believe that you are reporting only part of the story for sensationalism. Are you? Tony Hall has really hurt his credibility as a reporter in my eyes and in the eyes of the many other people I come in contact with.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

GREG SMITH

VIP Industries

Cape Girardeau, Mo.