LETTER: Nursing home decision approaches

To the Editor:

The future of the county run nursing home is finally being addressed in a way that should have happened years ago, and I would like to commend the courage in my fellow Supervisor Tom Hawksford in making the move that was required for action to be taken.

Although we currently stand on opposing sides of the argument, we both understand that something needs to be done … now. Trying to maintain the status quo is not a real option to ensure a strong future for the home.

Without his motion to close the home being put forward, serious discussion could have been dodged way into the foreseeable future. It is a sad trend that has hindered really addressing the nursing home’s needs.

I feel that he falls into a category that many of us fit, tired that this issue is stuck in limbo. Yes, in my own opinion he put forward the least favorable option, but his action highlights the urgency of the situation.

Something needed to be done, and by putting forward the most difficult choice to the community first, we all can see this issue cannot continue as is.

So where do we go now? To me, trying to maintain the status quo is not an option. It is that mentality that has led to where we are at now.

Personally I would like to see the assisted living/nursing home campus that was approved by a previous board revisited. If we are going to build new, we need to think long term and take into consideration population growth and changes. This type of facility would help us avoid getting painted into a corner again. However, building just a new nursing home is a start in the right direction.

Travis Schachtner

District 1 County Supervisor

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion