By Joe Winter
Catholic Herald Correspondent

Family of soldier serving in Iraq faces eviction

North Hudson -- Kristy Haskins finds herself with a husband serving in Iraq, three children to take care of mostly on her own, and in need of a court order to stop a landlord who is trying to evict her.

Jason Haskins is a sergeant in the 724th Engineering Co., based at Fort McCoy. His main job is maintenance of vehicles."They don't break down in the shop, they break down in the field," Haskins said, adding she worries Jason will be drawn into the line of fire since he travels with combat units.

Since Jason left for Iraq, Kristy Haskins said, landlord Kurt Wasieleski has been trying to evict the family

She said, "They never actually gave me a reason (for the eviction). I have been frazzled and scared out of my mind." She also said that Wasieleski wants to move back into the house. However, he may even face a federal fine or imprisonment of up to a year because military personnel are involved with the case.

The Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act says dependents of armed services personnel cannot be evicted until after return from duty, but this only applies if monthly rent is under $1,200.

The Haskins, who almost one year ago entered into an option to purchase agreement for their home, currently pay $100 more than that, Haskins said.

Edward Vlack, St. Croix County circuit court judge, recently ruled that cost-of-living increases dating back to 1991 should be factored in, so the Haskins have until 30 days after Jason returns to buy the house or move out.

While these proceedings were underway, Haskins obtained a restraining order against Wasieleski, now of Somerset, who she said has been harassing, stalking and intimidating her. The police have been called and a hearing on those charges is set for later in October. Wasieleski denies any wrongdoing.

The Wasieleskis say that when the Haskins were first trying to buy the house, there was more than one occasion where they missed the closing date, and they allegedly fudged on some financial data provided, such as income and employment status. The landlord complains that the grounds allegedly have not been kept up, that a dog has been left in the house, and that it has been very hard to get in touch with the Haskins by phone, in part because of lack of an answering machine. He maintains that even with recent court rulings, it may be legally permissible to provide notice and sell the house to another party.

"I didn't need this," Haskins said, since it's been hard enough to be away from Jason and care on her own for the three children Ñ Austin, 7, Dylan, 9, and Jordan, 11.

Haskins is a Catholic who used to go to church more regularly, but these days often decides not to attend because there would be just her to deal with three squirming children.

Many friends, neighbors and fellow hockey parents have stepped in. They come to take her to card parties, boating outings and weekly Bible studies at one of their home churches across the St. Croix River in Woodbury, Minn.

Haskins said the Bible studies and a special necklace she wears day and night, enable her to cope with the stress.

The focal point of her favorite necklace is a cross encircled by her wedding ring. Both components are equally significant, she said, adding that "this never comes off."

Dorothy Cardarelli, a longtime parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Hudson, got to know Haskins and her family when Cardarelli was running a resort near Kristy Haskins' hometown of Spooner. Cardarelli said Haskins had her first job there, and they all have kept in contact since.

If anyone can juggle all these responsibilities, "that's Kristy," Cardarelli said.

Once Cardarelli found out the magnitude of the situation, she said she would immediately get in touch with Haskins and provide support. "I was a little sad that she didn't contact me," Cardarelli said, but adding that this kind of selflessness from Haskins didn't surprise her.

When the matter gained publicity, a new Richmond resident and veteran named John Low contacted Haskins and offered to help her pay for the house.

She has also had some help from legislators, eager to back-up promises to aid families of soldiers abroad.

Haskins wrote letters, and her situation was almost instantly and personally taken up by state Rep. Kitty Rhoades, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, and even U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who had an aide make a call.

Jason typically is able to call only once a month, for about five minutes, depending on the length of the line waiting to use the phone. "When he calls, that picks us up," Haskins said.

She tries not to wait by the phone, and the fact that she is kept so busy taking care of her boys and driving them to games is a mixed blessing, she said. While her children are her joy, the court paperwork just consumes her, Haskins said.

She has been told not to tell Jason everything that has happened, "because he can't (lose concentration) and let his guard down, because he might be killed," Haskins said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003