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"We Must Always Protect Our Seniors" May 8, 2014
Town Hall meeting for Hope
Creek well attended 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?! 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. |
Copyright © 2013 Friends of Drue Mielke |