Letter: Without your support, county nursing home may get shut down

There has been a concerted and divisive effort to close the St. Croix County Nursing Home.

In two referendums St. Croix citizens have sent a strong message by voting to support the county nursing home, even it meant supporting it with tax dollars. Now it is time to say it in person.

At the Aug. 6 meeting of the St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board, a summary of anticipated expenses associated with closing the nursing home was presented.

After much discussion, the direction was given that the 2013 St. Croix County Nursing Home budget be prepared without the benefit of tax levy dollars or IGT (Intergovernmental transfer) funds.

Were it not for indirect costs, contract positions, outsourcing and depreciation, the nursing home budget would be viable.

At 8:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10, the St. Croix Health and Human Services Board will convene at the Health and Human Services building. The actions, arguments and agendas of those who would close the nursing home will most likely culminate with a resolution to close the nursing home.

“Service is our Business” was once the motto of St. Croix County. That motto has since been discarded in favor of the generic, non-committal “Innovation through Cooperation.”

Don’t allow the nursing home and the people it serves to be discarded.

By contacting your county supervisor or attending the board meeting, your presence, your voice will reinforce the message which has already been sent, twice: We support the St. Croix County Nursing Home!

Tags: opinion, letters, politics