Forsyth Tech cuts mother new check BY CASH MICHAELS FOR THE CHRONICLE Sharon Harrison is finally a happy woman. After eight long months, the Winston Salem mother of three finally got the Parents PLUS Loan student refund she was supposed to have gotten from Forsyth Tech last fall to help with her son’s expenses. But due to an adminis trative mix-up at the school, her check for $4347.59 was sent to the wrong address, where someone, posing as she, promptly took it to a local Wells Fargo branch and cashed it. From September 2016 until last week, Harrison had to grind through one bureaucratic nightmare after another, all the while being held responsible for a federal student\Jpan. refund she never received that threatened to ruin her credit until she paid it. It wasn’t until Harrison contacted The Chronicle, asking for her community newspaper’s assistance two weeks ago, did she finally see daylight once the paper contacted both the chairman of • the Forsyth Tech board of trustees, and the president of school as well. Monday night, Harrison and her son went to Forsyth Tech offices, and was handed a check to make up for the stolen one. She was also promised another check to compen sate her for the interest that had accrued on the loan that she was being held inexplicably responsible for. Harrison was pleased. “Thank you for your continued support and the readers support and prayers,” she wrote to The Chronicle by email, acknowledging this news paper’s advocacy on he behalf. “ I would not wish this ordeal on anyone. It “You know, I always thought that the news can be harsh and not always lead to positive outcomes.” -Sharon Harrison has been a stressful time and I am glad it is now resolved.” “I only hope [Forsyth Tech] has put safeguards in place so that this will not happen to another stu dent. I also hope that Wells Fargo will pursue criminal charges against the individ ual^) that also contributed to putting this fiasco in motion.” Harrison concluded her missive, “My family and I want to again express a heartfelt ‘thank you’ as your investigative-style reporting prompted the spotlight on my plight. Unfortunately, Harrison’s worst fear indeed could happen again. When The Chronicle interviewed Dr. Gary Green, president of Forsyth Tech last week, asking him why FT had no policy in place to deal directly with not only a clear administra tive mistake on the part of his staff - namely sending Harrison’s loan refund check to the wrong address instead of the one that was clearly indicated on the student loan application - but also the clear case of identity theft when some one took the check to an area Wells Fargo, and allegedly cashed it there without showing proper identification, Dr. Green disagreed. Though he confirmed his staff’s mistake, he pointed to the identity theft and the police investiga tion thereof as the real rea son why she had to wait eight months for resolu tion. In fact, Green felt that allowing law enforcement to investigate the matter was a proper policy, and refused to accept any mis handling by his staff as a reason for Harrison’s inter minable wait. “You know, I always thought that the news can be harsh and not always lead to positive outcomes,” Harrison said Monday evening by email. “[Y]our paper has truly changed my perception. The power of the press, when placed in responsible hands such as yours, can move moun tains and get results. Please continue to use your power of the press for our people and contin ue making a difference. I will support [the] work [of] the Chronicle. For our readers Some of the things that allowed The Chronicle to promptly investigate Harrison’s claims were her meticulous notes (which included a timeline) and record of documents and correspondence to and from those involved. She created an impressive paper trail that helped dramatize her case, and make clear that she did everything she could before contacting The Chronicle. If it’s something impor tant to you and your fami ly, then it’s important enough to keep the best records possible about (receipts, letters, etc.). This way, you can get effective assistance. Judge George Bedsworth, Clerk of Court Susan Campbell, Judge Carrie Vickery, Attorney Kristin Kelly pose pose with NC Democratic Party Chair Wayne Goodwin at a fundraiser at Artworks Gallery last week. Forsyth County Democratic Party Chair Eric Ellison and NC Democratic Party Chair Wayne Goodwin shake hands at a fundraiser at Artworks Gallery last week. Democrats from page AT hand. He was in his second term as Commissioner of Insurance when he narrow ly lost, to Republican Mike Causey in one of the clos est races in the state. Goodwin believes that Trump’s victory may have helped give the edge to his opponent. Goodwin, who also served four terms in the weren’t organized before. He believes the Democrats’ message of opportunity for all, strengthening education, middle class tax relief and investing in infrastructure will appeal to voters. “I know through reor ganizing, through register ing more voters, through honing our message that shows the stronger connec tion between the goals that people have for them selves, their families and 44We have the proper person in place to corral all of us together by a vision for the entire state.” - Eric Ellison, Forsyth County Democratic Party Chairman N.C. House of Representatives, said that after his loss, he felt he had the experience needed to be party chairman when Patsy Keever decided not to run again for the posi tion. He said there’s an “unparalleled amount of energy and passion and frustration” against the Republican-controlled White House, Congress and N.C. General Assembly that gives Democrats a chance to reach out to “dormant” members of their party and unaffiliated voters. Goodwin said the state party has never seen a greater interest in precinct meetings, with 6,000 new attendees and 243 newly organized precincts that their small businesses and the Democratic Party that we can turn the tide in 2018 and in the all impor tant 2020,” said Goodwin. Forsyth County Democratic Party Chairman Eric Ellison saidthat the local party was among those with a record number of attendees at the local convention and precinct meetings. He said people are “coming through the woodworks to participate based on this president that we have” and that Goodwin is the right person to steer that movement statewide. “We have the proper person in place to corral all of us together by a vision for the entire state ,”said Ellison. 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