[Vision2020] Latah Health Services

[Tom Ivie]

Forwarded for a friend. -t

    Vision 2020, 
   We Need your help.   Latah Health Services, Inc. Its  Board voted to terminate its lease with the County, terminate its contract with Valley Vista, and disband the Board by Dec. 31.  THIS MEANS AS OF JAN. 1, 2007 THE ENTIRE LATAH HEALTH SERVICES FACILITY IS BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS.  Furthermore one of the two boilers is out, the electrical system is in dangerous condition, many repairs need to be made and the 26 current residents in assisted living are being asked to vacate.  
    Gritman  Medical Center has approved pursuing the acquisition of the building if the County will sell it to them for $1.  They  would consider using the facility as a wellness center with adult day health, day care, wellness classes, diabetes classes, weight-loss classes etc.  They would also try to keep the assisted living open if they can find someone to run it.  Right now 26 old and infirm residents will have to vacate by Dec. 31 unless someone takes charge.  Talk about the Grinch Who Stole Christmas!.  
              The building needs a massive amount of renovation and repair and Gritman would need to own the building in order to apply for grants to aid in this big undertaking. The window of time for applying for grants and loan applications through Idaho Housing comes up toward the end of January.  This is a complex process that should be started immediately.  HUD has funds available that will be sent back if not applied
for ASAP.  
            FACTS:  There has been a long history of neglect by the county with repairs not being done and now the situation is desperate.  The county commissioners have
demonstrated that they do not want to be in charge of this facility.  Yet, now they mention they might want to move some of the county offices out there and hence seem to be "dragging their feet" on selling the entire facility to Gritman.  We are very lucky that Gritman is willing to take over this facility with all of its problems.  The County Commissioners need to act now and take advantage of this offer before it disappears.  This facility is owned by the people of Latah County, was built in 1957 to care for the poor and  it should continue to serve the health needs of the County. Gritman Medical Services would operate it for the benefit of our entire community.  No other non-profit organization is so well positioned to do this.
                   Gritman  Medical Center has already shown its competence and good will by taking over the pool area.  The pool is now safe and well run.  They have involved pool users in the discussion of the use of the pool and have many good ideas on further utilization of this wonderful pool.  They have even honored pool passes through Dec.31st even though they are getting no reimbursement from the financially insolvent LHS.  
YOU CAN HELP:
        PLEASE SEND THE E-MAILS SUGGESTED BELOW, WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS.  IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO
NOT ACT SOON TO SELL THE FACILITY TO GRITMAN THIS OPORTUNITY WILL BE LOST.
    If you agree, please  E-mail the Latah County Commissioners.   Let them know you want them to sell the entire Latah Health Services facility to Gritman  Medical Center for $1 as soon as possible before the HUD money is gone.  Contact the Latah County Commissioners at  883-7208,     PO   Box 8068 Moscow, ID 83843
      Jack Nelson,  jnelson at latah.id.us,  

Paul Kimmell, pkimmell at latah.id.us
      Tom Stroschein, tstroschein at latah.id.us, 
      Or  bocc at latah.id.us  (e-mails each one-and so it is not necessary to do 
      individual e-mails above.   Also e-mail  Jennifer Barrett, County Commissioner elect at 
      jbarrett at moscow.com 
   
  Please copy your letters to:  B. J. Swanson, Chair of GMC board at 
  bjswan at moscow.com, 
  Ryan McAllister, Director of Therapy Solutions and Wellness Activities 
  mcallr at gritman.org 
    Write a letter to the Editor and send copies to the Moscow Pullman Daily News, letters at dnews.com;  Lewiston Tribune, letters at lmtribune.com and the LatahEagle, editor at lataheagle.com 
   
 
  

 
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