[Vision2020] Latah Health Services sale to Gritman--a question.

[Tom Hansen]

Mr. Meyer -

My primary concern right now today (December 14, 2006) has nothing to do
with who is going to profit from contract negotiations five or ten years
down the road.

My concern, and sense of community, is focused on twenty-six
elderly/infirmed residents who are likely to welcome the new year (18 days
from now) in a most uncomfortable fashion, homeless.

There must be some option available that allows for a temporary (one year)
extension so that this problem may be rectified over the period of that
extension.

Profit BE DAMNED.  I guarantee you if I had a relative housed at Latah
Health Services on December 31, my name would appear on the Moscow Police
blotter the next morning.

Come on, people.  For once, let's show some compassion and not be so
concerned about the financial bottom line.  Time is running out.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho  

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown-----Original Message-----

From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Jim Meyer
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 11:13 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Latah Health Services sale to Gritman--a question.

Concerning the possible sale of Latah Health Services to Gritman:

It is been my experience that one can never count on the  innate 
benevolence of any person or any organization. I have been disappointed 
many times by people who I thought I could trust. Without a sufficient 
contract, there is nothing to prevent Gritman Medical Center from going 
back on their current plans and doing something entirely different. 
Gritman's management can and probably will change in the next 2 or 5 or 
10 years; priorities can pretty much be guaranteed to change whenever 
these transitions occur.  Without some kind of guarantee to return value 
to the citizens of Latah county for a guaranteed period of time, there 
is at least some possibility that Latah county's gift to Gritman will 
result in Latah county residents getting the short end of the deal 
(having given away public assets for private gain). I am not saying that 
Gritman's intentions are not good. Nor am I saying they cannot do what 
they say. Nor am I disagreeing that someone more competent than our 
current County Commissioners should run the place. I am just saying that 
a well thought out contract is needed in order to protect Latah county. 
It is just common sense. Just ask anyone who has gone into business with 
a family member or friend.

My question: Without a reversionary clause, and good intentions aside, 
what prevents  Gritman from selling the land for development and making  
a huge profit on the $1 purchase price?

I cannot support the $1 sale without some guarantee other than good 
intentions. I would like to think that Gritman will "subsidize a 
Wellness Center to the amount of $100,000 per year..for the good of the 
community" but business is business and we live in the real world. 
Remember, we are not talking about an obsessive rich benefactor with 
more money than he knows what to do with. We are talking about a 
business, pure and simple. A business will do what is in its self 
interest. If Gritman's self interest coincides with the needs of the 
community we are all stronger, but it is not necessarily so.

If anyone has the time and a mind to answer, please do.

Jim

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