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"We Must
Always Protect Our Seniors"
May 8, 2014
Town Hall meeting for Hope
Creek well attended
I was very impressed with the number of residents that attended last night's
town hall meeting for Hope Creek organized by Rock Island County Board member
Scott Terry, Rock Island. Good questions from residents. One common
theme was that we all realize what a critical and also emotional issue this is.
A video and article can be found at
CBS4's website and an
here.
I want to give my heartfelt thank you
to the residents who came out to hear the case made for keeping our home under
county ownership. We need to listen to all sides to make an educated
decision in November. Thank you, this is important for our seniors.
My decision was to put Hope Creek
referendum on the ballot so their voice is heard.
It is in the voter's hands now
to make the final decision. As a county board member, I believe that
it is my duty to get ALL information available to the voters. I
maintain that it is important to be impartial so I can truly show all sides of
this issue. One endorsement I will make is that when I toured
Hope Creek last week, it is one of the best maintained and cleanest nursing
homes I have ever seen. The residents are well taken care of.
As we debate and search for the right
answer, we need to remember that we have good employees at Hope Creek.
They are dedicated and truly care. Also, we need to be careful to
marginalize or demonize those whom we have differing views. All need to be
heard.
I am dedicated to looking after the
vulnerable in our community. There is no group more vulnerable than those
needing nursing home assistance. We need to be ready for any eventuality the
voters decide and I will be preparing with a plan B, C, and D- be it a leasing
option, selling to a qualified provider, or seeking additional funding from
state or other sources.
Last night I read a passage from a
document that guides my citizenship- "A basic moral test for our society
is how we treat the most vulnerable in our midst." This moral imperative
should include charitable contributions. Mr. Josh Schipp from the K.I.S.S.
referendum committee mentioned the creation of a charitable endowment
organization. I emphasized that our moral responsibility to our seniors
starts at home, in our churches... Our responsibility should not be confined to
tax increases. We have a
foundation for Niabi Zoo but we don't have a foundation for our seniors?!
Mr. Schipp gave a very detailed Powerpoint comparing Hope Creek to all the homes
in Rock Island County. He is very concerned that privatization will
decrease the level of care and employee staffing. He cited staffing
situations in other homes where employees work back-to-back shifts.
In the question and answer portion,
County Board Mr. Steve Meersman, Moline, a situation in another home in East
Moline that closed abruptly due to financial stress. I pointed out that
that closing was illegal (a 90 day notice must be given) and I also pointed out
that the illegal transfer of a resident in Galesburg died a day later.
“I will work to assure that our
seniors will remain well taken care of by choosing the best options to continue
Hope Creek Care Center for our community well into the future. When the people
have spoken, we will do what is best and right. WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT OUR
SENIORS.”
May 7, 2014
Town Hall Meeting to Make Case
to Continue County Ownership of Hope Creek -
Powerpoint presented by Joshua Schipp of the Quad
City Labor Federation and questions and answers. County Board Members
Scott Terry and Drue Mielke attending.
On May 7th, there will be a town hall meeting "The Case for Hope Creek-
Why Preserving Hope Creek Care Center as a Public Institution is the Best Option
for Rock Island County Tax Payers". The purpose of this town hall meeting
is state to Rock Island County voters why Hope Creek should be continued under
county ownership.
Rock Island County Board Members Scott Terry and Drue Mielke, and Rock Island
County Board candidate Brian Flaherty will be sharing information and taking
questions about Hope Creek.
The town hall meeting will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25
Hall, which is located at 4600 46th Avenue, Rock Island. The meeting will be
from 5:30-7:30pm. Light refreshments and snacks will be available. The
meeting is open to the public.
I am listening to options available to continue operation under county ownership
and am available for questions.
My decision was to put Hope Creek referendum on the ballot. It is in the voter's
hands now to make the final decision and I will share all information as it
comes in.
I want an educated public who are making important decisions with good
information; and with as complete information as possible. Hope Creek is too
important to not spend the time and thorough investigation it deserves. The
K.I.S.S Hope Creek Referendum Committee has just begun to make the case why
residents should vote for the tax increase. I encourage those from all sides to
speak on this very important issue.
My mission is to protect the vulnerable in my community. I cannot think of any
more vulnerable than those needing the assistance of Hope Creek Care Center. We
need to be ready for any eventuality the voters decide and I will be preparing
with a plan B, C, and D- be it a leasing option or selling or seeking additional
funding from state or other sources.
I favor further investigation into state funding. One option has been a lottery
that Mr. Donald Lind has proposed. As there are fewer and fewer county owned
homes in our state, the demand is moved onto the remaining homes and the
obligation to support remains with Rock Island County property owners. I would
like to investigate having a state-wide agency that can spread that obligation
fairly and equally.
As a Rock Island County Board Member, I will work to assure that our seniors are
taken care of by choosing the best options to continue Hope Creek Care Center
for our community well into the future. . When the people have spoken, we will
do what is best and right.
WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT OUR SENIORS
CBS 4 WHBF Video Story
CBS 4 WHBF Artic
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