The MATC Audit:
The People and Ideas Behind the Report
Epilogue
The Team
The MATC Audit is a joint effort between CRG Network and its affiliate the Greendale Taxpayers Group who is responsible for the majority 0f its technical content. The audit team consisted of local professionals with pertinent skills and experience such as CPA’s, pension managers, managed care specialists, legal professionals, educators, and other concerned citizens. The lead auditors include (in alphabetical order):
- Mr. Ron Knutel, BSBA Marquette University, CPA
- Mr. Richard Kopatich, BSBA Marquette University, CPA
- Ms. Cindy Marshall; BSBA University of Illinois, CPA
- Mr. John Marshall, BSBA University of Nebraska, MBA Adelphi University, CPA
- Ms. Christine Tompkins-Qusba, BSN University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Additional behind the scenes participants contributed expertise and insight and included:
- Attorney, JD University of Wisconsin
- Pension Manager, MBA University of Chicago
- Financial Placement Firm Executive, BSBA Marquette University, CPA
- Technical College Instructor, MA University of Wisconsin.
All of the above services where provided on a pro bono basis. The estimated market cost for an audit of this depth and breadth would have been approximately $65,000.
Report Purpose
The Milwaukee Area and much of Wisconsin face a future filled with competitive and financial challenges. An efficient and effective educational system is a key component in successfully meeting these challenges.
Yes, this audit was designed to be provocative, to alert, alarm, be adversarial, and draw attention to problems. What happens next is largely dependent on the reactions it evokes. The report can be viewed as simply another expose on government waste, another salvo between opposing factions, or it can be a wake-up call that we must work together to solve problems in a genuine and selfless manner.
This report is the product of people, concerned citizens, working unpaid because they care about the future of this community. It is about re-engaging the citizenry in government and re-proclaiming that the citizens ARE the government. It can be seen as a threat to the "status quo" or as a hand held out in aid. That choice can only be made by others, individually or collectively.
In Memoriam
This audit and report is dedicated to the memory of team member Ron Knutel who recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. He was an inspiration to us all and this project is a testament to his dedication, direction, and driving spirit.
Ron was a key contributor to the Greendale Taxpayer Group and a strong citizen advocate. He was an active weekly participant in Habitat for Humanity housing projects, and many other charitable causes. Yes, Ron, you made a difference much larger than you could have possibly imagined.
Copyright 2006, CRG Network