Forwarded for a friend. -t<br><br> <div class="MsoNormal">Vision 2020,<o:p> </o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>We Need your help.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Latah Health Services, Inc. Its <span style=""> </span>Board voted to terminate its lease with the County, terminate its contract with Valley Vista, and disband the Board by Dec. 31.<span style=""> </span>THIS MEANS AS OF JAN. 1, 2007 THE ENTIRE LATAH HEALTH SERVICES FACILITY IS BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">COUNTY</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">COMMISSIONERS</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Gritman</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> has approved pursuing the acquisition of the building if the County will sell it to them for $1.<span style=""> </span>They<span style=""> </span>would consider using the facility as a wellness center with adult day health, day care, wellness classes, diabetes classes, weight-loss classes etc.<span style=""> </span>They would also try to keep the assisted living open if they can find someone to run it.<span style=""> </span>Right now 26 old and infirm residents will have to vacate by Dec. 31 unless someone takes charge.<span style=""> </span>Talk about the Grinch Who Stole Christmas!.<span style=""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal">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.<span style=""> </span>The window of time for applying for grants and loan applications through <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place> Housing comes up toward the end of January.<span style=""> </span>This is a complex process that should be started immediately.<span style=""> </span>HUD has funds available that will be sent back if not applied<br>for ASAP.<span style=""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal">FACTS:<span style=""> </span>There has been a long history of neglect by the county with repairs not being done and now the situation is desperate.<span style=""> </span>The county commissioners have<br>demonstrated that they do not want to be in charge of this facility.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>We are very lucky that Gritman is willing to take over this facility with all of its problems.<span style=""> </span>The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Commissioners</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> need to act now and take advantage of this offer before it disappears.<span style=""> </span>This facility is owned by the people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Latah</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, was built in 1957 to care for the poor and<span style=""> </span>it should continue to serve the health needs of the County. Gritman Medical Services would operate it for the benefit of our entire community.<span style=""> </span>No other non-profit organization is so well positioned to do this.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Gritman</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> has already shown its competence and good will by taking over the pool area.<span style=""> </span>The pool is now safe and well run.<span style=""> </span>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.<span style=""> </span>They have even honored pool passes through Dec.31st even though they are getting no reimbursement from the financially insolvent LHS.<span style=""> </span><o:p> </o:p><br>YOU CAN HELP:</div> <div class="MsoNormal">PLEASE SEND THE E-MAILS SUGGESTED BELOW, WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS.<span style=""> </span>IF THE <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">COUNTY</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">COMMISSIONERS</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>
DO<br>NOT ACT SOON TO SELL THE FACILITY TO GRITMAN THIS OPORTUNITY WILL BE LOST.</div> <div class="MsoNormal">If you agree, please<span style=""> </span>E-mail the Latah County Commissioners.<span style=""> </span>Let them know you want them to sell the entire Latah Health Services facility to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Gritman</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> for $1 as soon as possible before the HUD money is gone.<span style=""> </span>Contact the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Latah</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Commissioners at<span style=""> </span>883-7208,<span style=""> </span><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">PO Box 8068</st1:Street> <st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">ID</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">83843</st1:PostalCode></st1:address></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Jack Nelson,<span style=""> </span>jnelson@latah.id.us,<span style=""> <br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""></span>Paul Kimmell, pkimmell@latah.id.us</div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Tom Stroschein, tstroschein@latah.id.us, </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Or<span style=""> </span>bocc@latah.id.us<span style=""> </span>(e-mails each one-and so it is not necessary to do </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>individual e-mails above.<span style=""> </span>Also e-mail<span style=""> </span>Jennifer Barrett, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Commissioner</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> elect at </div> <div
class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>jbarrett@moscow.com </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal">Please copy your letters to:<span style=""> </span>B. J. Swanson, Chair of GMC board at </div> <div class="MsoNormal">bjswan@moscow.com, </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Ryan McAllister, Director of Therapy Solutions and Wellness Activities </div> <div class="MsoNormal">mcallr@gritman.org </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Write a letter to the Editor and send copies to the Moscow Pullman Daily News, <a href="mailto:letters@dnews.com">letters@dnews.com</a>;<span style=""> </span>Lewiston Tribune, <a href="mailto:letters@lmtribune.com">letters@lmtribune.com</a> and the LatahEagle, <a href="mailto:editor@lataheagle.com">editor@lataheagle.com</a> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> <br> </span></div> <br><p> 
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