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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-27 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, August 27, 2013, with the following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Jim Wyrick provided public comment about his concerns with the PA bond rating that has been reduced due to the states unfunded liability of Pennsylvania employee pensions. The State will be going under a whole lot of tight fiscal responsibility going forward. Mr. Wyrick commended the county for funding its pension. Allen Piper provided public comment about the PA Sunshine Act that it doesn’t protect consumers as well as should. If the County is spending the public’s money they have the right to know what’s going on. Mr. Piper said an executive session shall not restrict the due process. To consider the purchase or lease of real estate property up to the time of agreement and a sale is totally different. He has problems with this which he will expound on later relating to openness at public meetings. The minutes of August 20, 2013 and August 22, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, August 29, 2013. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The following items were approved today and the remainder items will be approved Thursday, August 29, 2013. The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the revised contract between the County of Franklin and Nitterhouse Alarm Communication (NAC) to increase funding by $1,764.00. This is to upgrade two dome cameras at the Day Reporting Center as designated by the original contract signed July 2, 2013. The Board reviewed Nursing Home matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the contract between the County of Franklin and Heather McNew to provide dietician consulting services. Contract period is August 16, 2013 through December 31, 2013 at a cost of $9,000.00. The Board held a public meeting on the possible sale of the nursing home. Commissioner Thomas attended by conference phone. Chairman Keller opened the floor for public questions or comments. Stephen Harris, Chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee, read a statement that was authorized by a majority of the members of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee stating their opposition to the current path to the sale of the County’s nursing home and is attached to these minutes. Sheri Morgan provided 49 more petition signatures that she would like recorded. Ms. Morgan read a statement concerning her opposition to the sale of the nursing home that is attached to the minutes. Continued on page 2 Allen Piper is very concerned about the sale of the nursing home. The Board will see repercussion if they sell this home. Mr. Piper read parts of the Sunshine Act and how the Board can defer to the next meeting if they determine not enough time for public comments. He mentioned there is a difference between purchase and lease of a property. He asked the Board to not deny the rights of people here today and the people they represent. Kim Wertz asked what the concensus of the employees and residents are. Have they been asked or had meetings with these two groups to find out their opinion. She believes if the home gets sold to a private company the quality of care will suffer and nursing will be downsized. She said Mr. Wenger said in the past the new owner has to own the home for ten years but there are loopholes in everything. The employees and residents are being left in limbo. Sheri Morgan asked who the experts are that will go on visits to the nursing homes of potential buyers and if the residents counsel will be attending as well. Chairman Keller said there are six nursing home staff attending: Director of Nursing, Nurse Aide, Care Plan & Quality Assurance Coordinator, Director of Environmental Services, Dietary Director and Clinical Care Manager. The resident counsel will be communicated with but there are no plans to take them on the tours. Ken Jones said the county can put whatever it wants into the contract for the sale of the nursing home, but after the sale all of that becomes null and void and is a waste of paper because purchaser will have the ability to do whatever they want. What can the Board do then? They have no way to enforce this once the property has been purchased by another owner. Mr. Jones stated the staff will be cut because that is the only way a business can make money is to cut out the fat. Jim Faust, Falling Spring Administrator wanted to address the comments about quality of care and Falling Spring staff. Quality of care comes from hearts and hands, that’s their team and family out there. They are thankful for all comments about their quality of care and that’s what they do. He was fortunate enough to give tours to the potential buyers. There was only one that alluded to reducing staff but rest were amazed at staff and mentioned they would not want to make any changes to staff level. Staff will be there and does not mean quality of care will change. Making comments that quality of care will change is inappropriate and wrong. It hurts staff and residents. It’s a well-run home and it’s how they do business. It’s the volunteers, staff and residents; they are a family and doing fine and no reason to worry about them right now. “They are stronger than the sale”. Ray Kauffman is not quite sure of the rationale for the selling of the nursing home. Perhaps it’s financial but he does think that no individual will purchase an institution for 10 million and operate at a loss. His wife is there and he gave the history of how his wife came to the home. She worked as a nurse at another facility for 23 years and that facility said they didn’t have any bed for her when she needed to be placed somewhere but Falling Spring accepted her and she gets great care. Mr. Kauffman would like the Board to reconsider the sale of the nursing home. Kim Wertz wanted to address the Nursing Home Administrator and how she agrees with the quality of care that it comes from the heart but when there is an institution or business that decides to work with less people quality of care will be jeopardized. She is in favor of keeping the nursing home status quo, she doesn’t want it sold. She wants it there in case she ever needs it and won’t have to worry about quality of care. Continued on page 3 Allen Piper has serious concerns about the home being sold for 10 million. He knows the Commissioners are looking at not wanting to be the overseers of the nursing home anymore. He wants Mr. Kauffman’s testimony and everyone here to be taken very seriously. His job is to praise or criticize the Board and he is not going away. He asks the Board to reconsider the sale of the home. Mr. Piper said he normally gripes about paying taxes but he doesn’t mind paying taxes for this home. He has heard remarks in his travels, the Board has the petitions that Ms. Morgan has handed in and still coming in. He asked that they take petitions, hear people’s comments and also asks them to turn down the sale of the nursing home and let it stay status quo. He has seen raises given to county employees from 2-26% which is wrong. He has seen retirees be granted no cost of living raise while the Commissioners and top administrators get raises. Jim Wyrick said he is largely undecided and split in the middle. He recognizes the human aspect of this, he doesn’t think the local government should be providing healthcare. There are disadvantages to the county competing with the private sector. He asked for costs going forward but to him the clear reason for the sale has not been established. Intentions of the funds the county will receive from the sale have not been exposed. When weigh this out against human aspect, he can’t make an informed decision. Jay Lightfoot said he worked in every home around here and Jim Faust said about how great Falling Spring is but there are a lot of complaints at the nursing home and nurses not doing their job. Every home has their problems. He doesn’t see any difference if owned by county or private. But Jim Faust made it sound like it goes like clockwork but he knows better. He hates to see nursing home sold and he agrees with everyone who spoke here. Sheri Morgan was a nurse and worked in university emergency care units. They never decreased staff, but did increase acuity of patients. Care would suffer at times because they did this. Is there a way to put in contract to keep management team and staff they have now? Chairman Keller said it is the goal of the Commissioners, because the reason why care is so good at Falling Spring is because of the care provided by staff on a daily basis. Most if not all employees will be retained and that goes from front line staff to the front office. The firms the Board is considering have recognized this. Mayor Pete Lagiovone asked if one reason for this sale is the Board feels that running the nursing home is not a core county function. Chairman Keller responded that at one time it was a core function because there wasn’t anyone else to provide the care but times have changed. Now care is being funded by Medicare and Medicaid so they asked themselves why is it necessary to operate a skilled facility when private sector is capable of providing the service as good or better than the county. Mr. Lagiovone said residents or the community need to decide if it is a core function. If residents decide the jail is not a core function then can contract that out. If county decides to contract this out then the county was not listening to its residents. The county will no longer have the ability to say how nursing home is running and no one will be able to complain locally. He suggested the County Commissioners might want to talk to other counties that operate nursing homes in the state to possibly form a consortium or develop other ways to make it more economically efficient for counties to run a nursing home. Ray Kauffman said his wife is self-pay and he wanted to mention that it is difficult for a serious dementia patient to change environments. Chairman Keller said he has heard from several families that are private pay and pay for their own care and concerns about the rates increasing. These concerns from private pay have been communicated to the firms. Continued on page 4 Commissioner Ziobrowski addressed Mr. Lagiovane's comments. Franklin County historically has taken a more minimalist approach to government core functions than other counties. As to the historical responsibility to care for the indigent, the state and federal government, through Medicare and Medicaid, took over that responsibility years ago. The county operates the nursing home, but does not pay for any resident to stay there. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Mr. Wenger to address what was the result in terms of care of the indigent when other county nursing homes were sold to private companies. Mr. Wenger responded that the firms being considered have demonstrated a long term commitment to providing good care and maintaining a high Medicaid census. These firms have a high level of integrity and if the county elects to sell to any of the four firms, he feels based on the history of the four firms it would be a good transition. Mr. Wenger affirmed Mr. Faust’s comments that all four firms made positive comments about staff, staffing level, or how they would affect transition and deal with staff. It’s common for employees and residents to be concerned and be afraid of change. The firms being considered certainly are always concerned about things going as planned. These firms do have a reputation in the market place. More importantly they said they would probably add staff when they have time to analyze everything. Turnover can happen in any transition. It’s typical for private and county owned homes to have vacancies, but he doesn’t see turnover being an issue that would negatively affect residents or staff. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Mr. Wenger what typically have the firms being considered changed when they have purchased a home and have any of them sold their homes that they previously bought? Mr. Wenger responded that he’s not aware of any that have sold. All operators are viewed positively in that regard. Of the 18 firms that originally expressed interest in Falling Spring, there were some that would not have been recommended based on their business model. These firms recognize they are looking for a long term commitment to the industry. They are looking to buy Falling Spring and even add to their footprint if more facilities become available. They operate in the Medicaid world every day. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked why do counties have to subsidize nursing care with county funds. The audience assumes draconian cuts will have to be made so why would a county even considering selling its nursing home? Mr. Wenger said it’s a very highly regulated industry and cutting staffing drastically is not able to be done. There is not that much fat at Falling Spring, it is a well-run facility. The private firms have advantages of different software and reimbursement rates than the county. Commissioner Ziobrowski said there is a difference in reimbursement between state and private rates; they have a better reimbursement rate. Mr. Wenger confirmed the difference in rates. Commissioner Thomas said quality of care is excellent at Falling Spring. He asked the four interviewed firms about the ratings and they have all said they improved care and ratings have gone up. Several have gone into homes where there were problems like Adams County and now Adams County is a model. Mr. Wenger responded that some homes are sold because they are on the verge of losing their license or counties have thrown up their hands because of issues. They have seen improvements in the star rating and meaningful deficiencies; it’s uncommon to have no deficiencies. They can’t afford to not be as good as the person before you. Continued on page 5 Commissioner Thomas said there was concern that residents would lose their homes. He asked Mr. Wenger to go into how residents are handled by these other firms. Mr. Wenger responded that everyone coming in liked the facility and is not expecting to make changes to negatively affect labor force or care of residents. It’s common for some staff to decide to move on due to being close to retirement, being asked to do a job going forward they don’t like, or they feel they have a better offer somewhere else. Commissioner Thomas said all finalists indicated they desired to make physical changes and are interested in improving Falling Spring significantly. Mr. Wenger responded they all said they would invest in capital improvements, and their track record is indicative of that. They will provide for more and better care and make records electronic to be more efficient. Commissioner Thomas said all firms were well accepted in their communities when they bought homes. Chairman Keller said firms said they would invest significantly in the facility. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that opponents of the sale have claimed that even if all goes well in the short term, 10 years from now that could all change. He said let’s look at it another way. Let's say one of these companies already owns the nursing home. The care is good, the indigent are being served. Now the commissioners ask the taxpayers to pay $10 million to buy it, pay at least a quarter million per year in operating subsidy, and invest another $1.5 to $2 million in capital improvements - just to guarantee that the present owners, who have never sold a nursing home and have never denied a day one Medicaid applicant, will change their entire business plan and deny access to the indigent. Taxpayers would say we were crazy to spend $15 million of their money on that remote possibility. Yet that is what opponents of the sale are asking us to do now. Mayor Lagiovone said the commissioners made a comment about the state overseeing issues, which is not reassuring to him. Won’t be anyone in the community to complain to and will lose control to call a commissioner to get the issue corrected. Will have to call someone in Harrisburg so residents won’t have any control. Sheri Morgan mentioned the quality of care ratings that she researched and she has reviewed all ratings of all the nursing homes that the four potential buyers have now. All are mediocre so this is a concern for her. Commissioner Thomas wanted to respond and said he applauds Commissioners Keller and Ziobrowski for their due diligence in his absence. They have reviewed and discussed and got answers to their questions about these ratings. Mr. Wenger said the star rating in Adams County is based on three years looking back and will not change until three years have passed. Adams County is low rated because its rating still reflects ratings it had when it was operating as a county facility. The other facility owned by the same firm in Pennsylvania is moving from two stars to four stars because it is now reflecting the true operations of the new firm. Continued on page 6 Allen Piper said he agrees with Mayor Lagiovone’s comments. One commissioner mentioned the State is a good overseer. He thinks the Board has more confidence than he does in State government. Mr. Piper mentioned an issue a friend had with a restaurant food poisoning issue and Commissioner Ziobrowski informed Mr. Piper that the restaurant and nursing industry are totally different. He said Mayor Lagiovone had a good point: why aren’t the people given this issue to decide. He i agrees that people would rebel if money is spent unwsely but seems OK for the Board to give 2-26% raises. Mr. Piper asks them again to not to sell the nursing home. Jay Lightfoot said that Commissioner Ziobrowski said the County does not pay for anyone to stay at the nursing home but he knows they do so and he has issues with that statement. John Hart, County Administrator, explained there may be times when paperwork is not completed in a timely manner but the County is reimbursed once Medicaid picks up reimbursement. Mr. Lightfoot said he knows better. Mr. Hart responded that no one is there for an extended period of time and paid for by the county; they may be spending down personal funds until they qualify for other reimbursement. Ken Jones said today he has heard the words maybe, might and probably, which indicates that no one has a grip how this will go. The public has their heartfelt suspicions that things will go the way they think it will go. Consultant here talked about draconian cuts. What Jones is referring to is if an aide doesn’t show up for work anymore and it takes 2-3 weeks before she is replaced, someone else has to pick up the slack. He said replacing these workers is not easy. Meantime the residents are suffering. Private sector doesn’t have as much of an incentive to replace workers as quickly. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:45 a.m. this date for the purpose to review real estate matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at 12:27 p.m. Chairman Keller said based on discussion in executive session he would summarize the unanimous consensus of the Board by saying that based on lengthy interviews of the four semifinalists that they are prepared to move forward with further due diligence including site visits at Transitions Healthcare, LLC and Mid-Atlantic Health Care Acquisitions. Interviews involved lengthy discussions about quality of care, their experience at other facilities, how they have transitioned from prior ownership, how residents have been taken care of and how employees have been treated fairly. He said they all spoke to importance of investing in the facility and identified different investments from technology to quality of care to improvements of the physical plant. All firms were impressed by quality of care and staff that is at Falling Spring. This was encouraging to hear positive comments. All interviewees expressed high interest in retaining staff at Falling Spring. Family members and all residents of the county would be well served by any of the four firms interviewed. Chairman Keller’s impression is that Transitions Healthcare, LLC and Mid-Atlantic Health Care Acquisitions interviewed well and were responsive to a lot of questions and concerns the board raised and the questions and concerns raised at all public hearings. He is in favor of moving forward with site visits and due diligence for Transitions and Mid-Atlantic. Continued on page 7 Commissioner Thomas said he fully agrees on everything Chairman Keller said. All four were excellent but these two firms bubbled to the top. One is even doctor- owned. They have regular meetings with resident council, are close with employees, close to communities, not looking at it as a big corporate entity. These facilities work closely with local hospitals like we do and they feel there is more that can be done. They are excellent operators. Commissioner Ziobrowski concurs with his fellow commissioners. He said the two firms the Board plans to visit stand out as far as he’s concerned. The Board will visit nursing homes that are run by these companies in next couple weeks. These visits will include six nursing home staff. Have had lengthy proposals, interviews and expertise of own staff, so it remains to be seen how well they pass muster. He said the real heavy lifting of this process is yet to come. Commissioner Ziobrowski said there has been feedback from the public that it seems like the Board made up their mind before even started this. It’s hard to explain that’s not the case. The Board went through this with the building of a new courthouse but in the end determined new courthouse was not necessary. With this process the board has postulated whether a private entity exists that can take over Falling Spring and satisfy all the requirements put forth in terms of resident care and fair treatment of staff. You have to postulate before you can research, and it’s not a done deal. Will go to nursing homes and see if postulate is valid. Chairman Keller clarified that the Board is not closing the door on the other two semi-finalists. The board will be taking a closer look at Transitions’ and Mid-Atlantic’s operations and if the board decides it doesn’t want to move forward with either of these two firms, then the board reserves the option of coming back and talking to the other firms. The quality of all the firms they interviewed is exceptionable. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to move forward with due diligence and include site visits of facilities of Transitions Healthcare, LLC and Mid-Atlantic Health Care Acquisitions. The meeting was adjourned at 12:39 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FRANKLIN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE P.O. Box 126 Fayetteville, PA 17222 August 26, 2013 To the County Commissioners The following is a statement authorized by a majority of the members of the Executive Committee of the Franklin County Democratic Committee. The proposed sale of the nursing home has been a divisive issue in the community, We have been concerned from the time the sale was contemplated. Throughout the process, it has become clear that the question as to whether or not the care of the elderly was a core value of Franklin County was never truly a matter in which the citizens of the County were able to participate. Instead the discussion has been treated solely as an issue over real estate about which the commissioners could decide. For this reason, along with many of the concerns made at other hearings, including the concern of privatizing provision of services to citizens,we indicate our opposition to the current path to the sale of the County's nursing home. rtq Stephen D. Harris Chairman, Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee Approved by Karin Johnson, Sheri Morgan,Jere Perry,Jr, and Sheldon Schwartz Hello.My name is Sheri Morgan. I am from Greencastle. After reading 10 hours worth of CMS ratings and comparing the ratings of the four potential buyers, I planned to make an appeal to keep our nursing home county-owned based on quality of care.The Commissioners had invited citizens to take advantage of the vast amount of information found on the internet relating to the buyers' ratings. However,after hearing Commissioner Keller's statement to the reporter from WHAG-TV on August 20`h,where he said,I am paraphrasing, `...ratings aren't all that important,there are many other components to look at when it comes to the quality of a provider,' I am convinced no argument based on the quality ratings can be made. I, and others,have heard Commissioners state repeatedly that the sale of our nursing home is not related to costs or the budget. Since last Tuesday, according to Commissioner Keller it is about the budget and unreliable funding in the future.The same unreliable funding any private entity would face and yet private entities are lining up to take this risk. One thing is clear,even at this late stage in the process of selling our nursing home, we still do not know why it is being sold. Appeals to keep our nursing home county-owned based on quality of care and budgetary constraints have received inconsistent,often contradictory answers from our Commissioners. Is it about the budget,is it about improving the quality of care?It's anybody's guess. So,it looks to me as if we are back to the question first raised on June 11th. Is a county-owned nursing home a core county function?The wisdom of previous county administrations,going back over 2 centuries,answered this question in the affirmative.Many of these administrations were,no doubt,faced by similar,even worse economic forecasts than this administration is today. Somehow,they remained committed to maintain what they must have believed is a core county function.They protected future citizens. According to Nancy Miller from the University of Maryland,Baltimore County,the number of young people aged 31-64 living in nursing homes is on the rise,to—14%. She found these young people were more likely,relative to their older counterparts,to have diagnoses of diabetes,renal failure, and substantial mental health conditions. These people end up in nursing homes due to the shortage of state funded care that would keep them living in their own homes. However, these people do not want to live in nursing homes and are working hard to change the funding bias from institutional care to community care. According to Mathematica Policy Reseach,PA has been among states that are working toward improving the efficacy of the Money Follows the Person funding model.This funding's use is directed by the people who use the funding and not by an agency.People use MFP funds, overwhelmingly,to purchase community care. New and more efficient funding mechanisms grow from the grassroots and are, unfortunately, subject to the political whims of the day. One minute,the grassroots prevail and win funding and then the next minute,funding is diverted to fund more politically popular efforts. Our citizens need to have protection from the swinging pendulum of state and federal funding.This is why we should not sell our nursing home.This is our way of taking care of our own. Within 15 years, or so, those in the 31-64 age bracket, who prefer to use community care over institutional care will have won their battle and more funding will be directed to community care. To be sure, there will always be the need for a continuum of care options and nursing homes will still have people who choose that type of care. However,there may be fewer of those among the younger group who make that choice. How will a decrease in the pool of residents, and therefore profits,fit into the business model of the private nursing home operator, say 20 years down the road? There is no way to know or to be able to predict, for sure. In their wisdom, this is what previous county administrations must have realized. It is a core county function to maintain a county- owned nursing home in the case of there being no other alternative for some of our most vulnerable citizens. Last evening I heard a quote by Justice Ginsburg as she paraphrased former Chief Justice Hughes that just about sums up what we have here with the decision to sell our nursing home. Justice Ginsburg said as she described dissenting an incorrect decision, "A dissent is an appeal to the intelligence of a future day, when a later decision may possibly correct it." I appeal to the intelligence of a future day. 1 Dear David Keller,Franklin County Commissioner,Robert Ziobrowski,Franklin County Commissioner,and Robert Thomas,Franklin County Commissioner, We are pleased to present you with this petition affirming this statement: "Do not sell our county nursing home.Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitative Center has been a priority for generations of Franklin County residents since 1808." Attached is a list of individuals who have added their names to this petition,as well as additional comments written by the petition signers themselves. Sincerely, Sheri Morgan 1 Elizabeth S.Duquesnoy Pittsburgh,PA 15213 Aug 27, 2013 Sally Bobb Tusculam,PA 17257 Aug 27, 2013 Irene Hall Philadelphia,PA 19143 Aug 26, 2013 Rosemary Murray Royersford,PA 19468-2542 Aug 26,2013 Jared Jackson Gibsonia,PA 15044-9214 Aug 25, 2013 Ronald Lawrence Langhorne,PA 19047 Aug 25,2013 Kathleen Serrano Havertown,PA 19083-3828 Aug 25, 2013 You still need to know why the county wants to sell,not just the reason the county gives,but why. Joan Gabrie Perkasie,PA 18944 Aug 25,2013 Scott Miller Allentown,PA 18104 Aug 24, 2013 Same in beaver county commissioners sold care home should be excempt from market factors. Douglas Hillyer Aliquippa,PA 15001 Aug 24, 2013 William Miller Woolrich,PA 17779 Aug 24,2013 2 Therese Hoetzlein Pittsburgh,PA 15236 Aug 24, 2013 Mary Rogers Hellertown,PA 18055 Aug 24,2013 Albert Leibenguth Bensalem,PA 19020 Aug 24, 2013 Michael Mamenko III Marcus Hook,PA 19061 Aug 24, 2013 Lynda Thomason Guilford Twp,PA 17202 Aug 24, 2013 Tim Milleri Philadelphia,PA 19127 Aug 24, 2013 Bonnie Steelman PHILADELPHIA, PA 19119 Aug 24, 2013 Michele Bertini lencia,PA 16059 Au: 24,2013 Judy Walnutt•wn,PA 19522 Aug 24, 213 John Alosi Shippensburg, 'A 17257 Aug 23, 2013 Cindy Scott Spring Run,PA 172. Aug 23,2013 Joan Hill Chambersburg,PA 17202 '`, Aug 23, 2013 3 Kligerman Sylvan,PA 17236 Aug 22,2013 Allen B. Carlson Waynesboro, PA 17268 Aug 22, 2013 Lance Lessler Mercersburg,PA 17236 Aug 22,2013 Dorothy Ann Pike Greencastle,PA 17225 Aug 22, 2013 People need end of care support. It's sad that families don't provide it.However,private homes are expensive and the average person cannot afford it. April Turkeyfoot,PA 17201 Aug 22, 2013 Jean McBride Weltys,PA 17268 Aug 22,2013 Julia C Meyers St Thomas,PA 17252 Aug 22, 2013 Maggie Evans Weltys,PA 17268 Aug 22, 2013 I've visited all of the nursing homes in Franklin County. I worked a summer at Menno-Haven when I was in in college.Falling Spring Nursing Home is by far the best! Please don't sell it.It will go down-hill! Kim Pensinger Fort Loudon,PA 17224 Aug 22, 2013 Becky Barlup Greencastle,PA 17225 Aug 21, 2013 4 Totally Agree with the petition Jef Savage mercersburg,PA 17236 Aug 21, 2013 Betty Tusculam,PA 17257 Aug 21,2013 Our County Nursing Home has the reputation of the being the best-run nursing home in the area. Please continue county ownership. An outside company owning the home will not be an asset to our area.Thank you! Suzanne F.Johnson Mercersburg,PA 17236 Aug 20, 2013 William V Patterson New Oxford,PA 17350-1314 Aug 20,2013 We need nursing homes misty blizzard fayettiville,PA 17222 Aug 20, 2013 Virginia Ciliotta Fairfield,PA 17320 Aug 19, 2013 susan corwell chambersburg,PA 17201 Aug 19,2013 Linda L Coffman Points,WV 25437-9703 Aug 19, 2013 Privatizing is where the greed is. Our nursing home has had the highest marks in the county. Those numbers will decline if privately run. It is happening everywhere.Look around. Shirley Trostle Waynesboro,PA 17268 Aug 19, 2013 5 7 1 To: Franklin County Commissioners David Keller, Bob Thomas,and Bob Ziobrowski Date: July 01, 2013 Do not sell our county nursing home! Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitative Center has been a priority for generations of Franklin County residents since 1808. County citizens have supported the nursing home during times of deep,national financial troubles and political unrest even as our county seat burned in 1864. Our county nursing home provides care for many of our citizens who have worked hard their entire lives and are at the end of their lives or need restorative care. Many of the residents at our county nursing home are there because they hold the home in high esteem having had family and friends who received excellent care from the home's care givers and volunteers. Many other residents are living at our county nursing home because they were not accepted at privately owned and operated nursing homes.These residents are among the frailest of us.Our nursing home accepts these citizens and cares for them without having them beg for admittance or being intimidated by unscrupulous nursing home administrators. There has been no suggestion or evidence of mismanagement of our home.According to your statements,the county nursing home does not pose an unreasonable burden on our county's budget.The home receives high marks for the quality of its care. We,the undersigned, strongly urge you to reconsider a potential sale of our county nursing home. It is special to our citizens because it is just that a home. PRINT FULL NAME SIGNATURE STREET ADDRESS TOWN STATE DATE , p iK c / 421 ,),2 4// �`�_, G,//�- ��ili,„6.: c.��‘,. // , /2.'�. /7 7 2 �- . _ /:___eizir- r_ _; �C /- �. �i , ,.� E--. A i7/'. ,_5-�:` (`14-ik r_ 51417 P/1 ! 7d°_Y Y1- i I 3. gob,t'il 661/kick *fistr())266 4'i 4. RG/0G. e4.t-Et. G AQix-n cc Al ,o xore /3070 Wlir1164 df�-LP %cisl\kei9,0c.qn tic l9 ( 7Zw 5 Sto X73 ►be 1--,,_ f C. .44 cfT(t�c P� 1`?Z of 2 PRINT FULL NAME SIGNATURE STREET ADDRESS TOWN STATE DATE S .4-- La .& (2 .rya peL, /A3 7. f!/1,0/r // ll,�// // r f/3 �(' '%�c/{16 /G(( ('/ r ��j �jc?.✓5 A „, t �Cdtt�1 �/,r/5cl I /i /7Zc/ 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Return this petition to: "Keep Our Nursing Home Ours!" c/o Sheri Morgan 431 Leitersburg Street Greencastle,PA 17225 2 PRINT FULL NAME SIGNATURE STREET ADDRESS TOWN STATE DATE 7. r`47 6,114;rtr c�f <<��� 97s A �� � ,fv P /7z / 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Return this petition to: "Keep Our Nursing Home Ours!" c/o Sheri Morgan 431 Leitersburg Street Greencastle,PA 17225