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Dear Editor;
I read with interest last week's Guest Editorial by the Upland Hills Health Board of Directors. I would have appreciated a more balanced description of the County's position in the negotiations other than this statement: " Some members of the County Board are of the opinion that the only option is to wash their hands of the county- owned nursing home- we disagree."
suggest it is now the responsibility of the Chronicle's journalists to interview the relevant County board members to determine if there is a possibility of saving those nursing home beds for Iowa County residents. ( as well as saving the federal subsidies that come with those beds).
The proposed public-private model that includes a complimentary assisted living facility that would bring in additional revenue is a good idea. It seems like a good enough idea to allow the voters to decide in a binding referendum. Said referendum could state the cost to the taxpayers. If it is $67 per $100,000 of assessed property as has been reported, I think there is a good likelihood said referendum would pass.
Finally, given the lack of opportunity for citizen input into the decision to close Bloomfield Manor, the voters should have their say via a binding referendum.
Steve Pieroni, Dodgeville