Redemption From a 37-Year-Old Error

by George Gramlich
Last week a concerned citizen sent the Sentinel (and apparently others in the area) a reference to a United States District Court (Denver) case from 1990. It was an appeal by the plaintiff to have his 1981 felony conviction of federal bank fraud be overturned due to the fact that at the time of the crime and sentencing, the plaintiff/defendant was mentally incompetent. The court rejected the request.
That plaintiff/defendant was Mike Haga, Custer County native and local high school graduate, is a candidate for the May 8th election for the West Custer County Hospital District Board.
His is a story of success after failure. A story of how mental and physical illness can be conquered and controlled. A story of determination to succeed. A story of how God can provide a path to fulfillment.
Mike Haga made a big mistake 37 years ago. Driven by a health condition causing severe mental issues, he broke the law and paid for it. By the grace of God, the disease was finally diagnosed and cured. From there it was an uphill battle to reclaim his life. Mike succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. He is running for the Clinic Board. He is eminently qualified. He wants to help our community. Shall we give him a chance?
We asked Mike to respond to the email containing the court case. Here is his story. (Note: This email was also sent to the other paper in town.)

It is true that 37 years ago I went off the deep end. After losing millions in the stock market, I tried to cover my losses with three loans I created at the Denver bank where I was employed. I was later told I was not acting rationally, which I was not. I had mental health issues. I was arrested and eventually pled guilty to a felony bank fraud charge. I was in a “cushy” prison for two years. After my release I paid back the money that was stolen. A subsequent diagnosis of cancer, surgery, radiation treatments, etc., along with ongoing invasive medical workup’s (spinal taps, CAT Scans, MRI’s, bronchoscopies, etc.), to determine what was causing swelling of my brain and subsequent irrationality, finally resulted in a finding of Neurosarcoidosis–– a very rare and still not completely understood inflammatory process that is almost unheard of in the central nervous system. It was a darkperiod in my life. The only cure is Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory drug.
I had to take massive doses for a long time to stop the disease. Out of an abundance of caution I have undergone regular checkups for years and have not had a recurrence.
During this time, I became enamored with healthcare and through the Grace of God began working in the financial division of what became Health One and remained with the organization for many years becoming a financial administrator.
During my tenure with Health One I wrote many books on the economy commencing with “On The Brink ” which was a bestseller endorsed by then Colorado Governor Richard Lamm and Presidential candidate Ross Perot. My second book, “After the Crash” was also successful. My third book, “Is The American Dream Dying? ” is a compilation of interviews with people across the nation regarding the impacts of economic change in their lives.
During my Health One tenure, I hosted a daily nationwide radio broadcast “The Economic Outlook” in which I interviewed everyone from then Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Alan Greenspan, members of Congress, etc., on economic matters. I am the co-founder of what has become GCN Live a nationwide 24/7 radio network. I co-founded a Colorado Corporation “Acclaim Publishing Company” in 1992 through which I wrote a weekly economic publication on economic trends called “The Economic Outlook”, with subscribers around the world. I was co-owner of Appleton Vineyards in Grand Junction which we recently sold to return to Westcliffe where we built a beautiful home next to my mother’s home to ensure her wishes to remain in her own home for life. She is 88 and I pray she is with us for at least [another]10 years.
That’s it. Check it out. If a 37-year-old case is what you choose to dwell on, have at it. My mental health issue was finally resolved. I have paid my dues. Since then I have had an exceptional business career in multiple sectors.
What is of upmost importance to me and the other very qualified people running for seats on the Clinic Board is to fix our Clinic and make “Patients First.” This is not about politics. This is only about the well being and good health of the people of Custer County.
Ask yourself: 1. Why have patient do so many local residents go down the hill for medical care? 2. Why is EMS down to one ambulance often having to call for transport help from other districts when we should have two ambulances (especially after the big mil levy increase two years ago). 3. Why is there an ongoing violation of HIPPA regulations that require patient confidentiality? 4. Why is the Clinic and EMS losing vast amounts of money? (When excluding the tax revenue.) 5. Why are administrative expenses so high? 6. Why can’t the Clinic keep a physician on staff? 7. The Clinic’s claim to “profitability” is ludicrous with it sucking up around $850,000 of mil levy tax money. 8. Why is the facility itself in need of painting and other maintenance?
My family donated the land on which the Clinic facility sits and have been saddened by its decline and so are many other residents.
We believe we can turn the Clinic into a vibrant facility, one that residents will be proud of and can return to instead of having to drive down to Pueblo or Cañon City. Yes, ask this question: How come hundreds of Custer County citizens go down the hill for treatment instead of the clinic? Poor performance is the answer.
We have an aging population, as does our Nation. We are told by Lester that this is the “way it is” and that nothing can be done. We disagree. You, the voters, can vote for much needed change or accept the status quo.
The choice is yours.