[Vision2020] County Must Sell Care Center

[Tom Hansen]

Greetings Visionaires -

It has become too painfully clear that the county commissioners have failed.
Had they actually applied themselves after deciding that the contract with
LHS was not to be renewed, one question should have been addressed:

"What should be done with the twenty-six elderly, infirmed residents?"

Here it is DECEMBER 18th and still nothing permanent has been decided.

I, for one, feel that the extremely poor manner in which the county
commissioners have "managed" this situation, that has now become a major
problem, qualifies as grounds for recall. 

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>From today's (December 18, 2006) Spokesman Review with a special thanks to
Linda Pike -

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County must sell care center 

It is very sad that our county nursing home, Latah Health Services, has had
to close it doors. As someone who has been involved with it for many years,
I know personally of its struggles. The county commissioners' lack of
interest in making repairs to the building or putting LHS in the position to
get the money for the repairs was the final cause of its demise. They made
an error but hopefully some good can be salvaged. 

Gritman Medical Center, our local hospital, is negotiating to buy the
facility and make it into a wellness center, manage the therapy pool and
enlarge Gritman Day Health. They even might retain the assisted living if
they can find a manager for it. Also, there is discussion of having some
space for a few county offices to relieve crowding in the courthouse. 

Some may balk at Gritman taking over, but where else could we find such a
willing and proven manager for the facility and a use that could benefit
county residents? We will all be very lucky if the deal goes through. It
needs to happen quickly though so Gritman can apply for funding to upgrade.
Also, a countywide vote to approve the Gritman ownership so it will not
revert to the county will have to be on the ballot by February. 

Time is of the essence and the commissioners have been waffling for years.
It is crucial that decisions are made quickly. Contact the commissioners at
(208) 882-8580 or bocc at latah.id.us. and inform them of your concerns. 

Linda Pike, Moscow

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

PS - Is anybody familiar with county recall procedures?  If so, PLEASE
contact me off-list.

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown