Paid Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.

To the Editor:
Dear Lincoln County Residents,

I would like to express a heartfelt appreciation for all the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home for their diligence in working through a very difficult situation regarding the potential sale. You truly deserve credit and the County Board appreciates your professionalism in performing your duties.
I would also like to express appreciation for the residents. You also have been placed in a situation beyond your control regarding the potential sale. Know that I have always had your best interests in mind when making decisions on the County Board.
Mr. Dunphy and his group called People for Pine Crest have now placed the County in a very tenuous position. We had a viable buyer who was acting in good faith, has other locations, is in the business of operating nursing homes, and made a fair offer regarding the Asset Purchase Agreement for Pine Crest/Social Services. The buyer has now withdrawn his offer to purchase, stating the Dunphy Lawsuit as the reason.
Last year’s County Board had solved this problem. There was going to be an $8 million dollar influx of revenue for the County. The nursing home would have stayed open. At this point there are no revenues to support Pine Crest in the coming years without a large increase in taxes to fund Pine Crest.
I would encourage you to reach out to your County Board Supervisor and have a discussion on the topic of total finances for Lincoln County. The can has been kicked down the road and there is no road left. Every fund available had creative accounting measures taken to fund services beyond income limits by previous boards. Capital Improvement Projects will not be able to be funded in 2025. Solid Waste cannot be funded at this time without looking at raising taxes. The debt on the expansion for Pine Crest won’t be paid until 2038. Maintenance has largely been ignored on all Lincoln County assets for years. There are many, many projects that need to be done to improve services and keep up with technology.
Facts are what I base my decisions on. I sat in every Ad Hoc Committee on Pine Crest meeting with an open mind. I gathered items, wrote documents, and assisted in finding the best possible solution to keep the nursing home open. Here are some facts for you to consider:
1) Lincoln County has put $9,656,049 into Pine Crest since 2014 (pg 11).*
2) Pine Crest has lost $9,280,338 (revenue minus expenses) since 2014 (pg 11).*
3) 2015 Lincoln County Board, without a referendum, approved a $9.6 million expansion project where they promised a return on that investment, which has not happened. There are currently no residents in that expansion. Four other sections of the building have no residents.
4) A $4.5 million referendum per year for 10 years proposal was voted down by the Lincoln County Board in August 2023.
5) Repairs needed for the Pine Crest building as of December 2019 total $17,312,223 (Appendix L).* None of those repairs have been completed. That total would have increased significantly over the past 4½ years. Mr. Dunphy proposed a $2 million dollar referendum to pay for said maintenance. Due to inflation, realistically that number would have to be almost doubled.
I will be working hard, as I have done from the first date of election, to ensure services are funded in the best possible way. I will listen to constructive, accurate information.
Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3)

• Angela Cummings, Gleason, Wis.
  
  County Board Supervisor, District 20


*Page numbers are from the Lincoln County AD HOC Committee on Pine Crest Report of Review and Potential Alternatives March 21, 2023.

The cost for Paid Letters to the Editor is $40.00 per letter of up to 250 words, plus $10.00 per additional 50 words, and must be prepaid prior to printing.