Keep facility in the community Latah Health Services began as the "county poor farm." Residents contributed to the production of the farm. They felt needed in helping with the chores. The county was the only source of funds for the operation. As the residents aged, they needed more assistance. The buildings' inadequacies were recognized by Grace Wicks and Lola Clyde who, with others, campaigned throughout the county for a new building that would reflect the dignity of our people. In 1957 and 1981 the residents taxed themselves to provide a building that was unique, becoming the first nursing home licensed in the state. It still holds License No. 1. Latah Health Services' board members were leaders in providing care not offered: the first physical therapy, the first home- health agency, the first assisted living and the special diets for the Meals on Wheels service. Now these services must be met by others. It seems the best option is to transfer ownership to Gritman Medical Center with the mandate it has accepted to restore the building and provide further services not now available in our community; continued use of the therapy pool, enlarged facilities for Adult Day Health as well as wellness programs and treatments to keep us from needing the long stays that were once common in nursing homes. The passion to provide services to our people comes from our own people. Gritman is "our own people" though we don't contribute tax dollars to support this necessary community hospital. The investments made by our county residents, in volunteer services, contributions and tax dollars is best returned to them through extended services by our hospital. Our residents will help direct the facility's use and its continued existence for the good of ourselves and our neighbors. Vote Tuesday "in favor" of the transfer of ownership from the county to Gritman Medical Center. Verla Olson, past administrator of Latah Health Services Vote 'yes' for Gritman Tuesday is an important day for the health of the people of Latah County. They will vote on whether or not to sell Latah Health Services to Gritman Medical Center. Gritman must make many repairs to get LHS up to code. Gritman is not a taxing entity, and will do the necessary renovations at no cost to the residents of Latah County. Because of its special nonprofit status it will be able to get grants and low-cost loans. How much will the renovation cost? An assessment of the Latah Health Services facility was done for the Latah County commissioners in July 2002. Total upgrade costs in 2002 were $1.5 million to $1.8 million With the knowledge of the above costs, one can see why Gritman was asked to buy LHS for $1. The highest offer for LHS was by Developers of the Palouse for $500,000. This amount would make little difference in the more than $12.8 million annual Latah County budget. By selling LHS to a developer we gain little but lose a lot - an important community health asset. Furthermore, Gritman's ownership of LHS will provide many employment opportunities. A Community Wellness Center will make Latah County an even more attractive place to live and positively influence those seeking employment here or choosing a place to retire. I urge you to vote Tuesday in favor of selling LHS to Gritman. Gail H. Adele, Moscow Gritman is forward thinking We support Gritman in its bid to acquire Latah Health Services. Gritman is an outstanding rural hospital and a community asset. Gritman serves our rural communities with health clinics. Gritman is progressive and forward thinking. For example, Gritman brought to our community a same-day surgery center, a state of the art rehabilitation physical therapy facility, and presently is contemplating a dialysis unit and wellness center. Gritman will aid in securing long-term care for our area which is presently stretched. Gritman's enhancements directly aid recruitment and retention of faculty and students at the University of Idaho. Join us in support of Gritman with a "yes" vote. Gerald and Consuelo Weitz, Viola Vote 'yes' on LHS sale Certain statutory requirements in the Idaho Code govern procedures for Latah County to sell Latah Health Services. The wording on the ballot for the Feb. 6 election provides only for sale to Gritman Medical Center. The vote is either "yes" or "no." If the proposition fails, things remain as they are. If the county decides to sell it to another party, another election is necessary and it could take months with more expense. The county could sell it without a vote of the people to a nonprofit organization that would run it as a medical facility with strict requirements and with the reversionary clause. It is highly unlikely that any other organization can meet those requirements or would accept the reversionary clause. Should the county decide to keep the LHS facility for its own use, it would need to submit a bond issue in the millions to a vote of the people in order to make the necessary changes and improvements. That also would take months with no assurance the bond issue would pass. Gritman is a community-owned nonprofit organization that has served Moscow and Latah County for more than a century. We know what it has done, what it can do, and it has made clear its specific promises to develop a wellness center. It also has offered to provide space for county offices and an opportunity for assisted-living facilities. It will finance the necessary improvements for modernization that can begin immediately. This is the best alternative for the future of LHS to benefit everyone in the county. I strongly urge a "yes" vote on your ballot Feb. 6. Bert Cross, Moscow Gritman Medical Center facts The upcoming election on whether to sell the former Latah Health Services facility to Gritman Medical Center has brought up a number of questions. Gritman Medical Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-owned organization. Gritman began in Moscow in 1887. It has never wavered from its mission to provide excellent and compassionate health care for the people of our communities. The governing board is dedicated to extending that mission to the LHS facility should the voters approve the transfer to Gritman. Please stop by the Gritman lobby to view preliminary architectural plans for the LHS facility. Gritman is governed by a 10-member board of directors made up of community residents. Board members are: Bob Beutler, Moscow; Janie Nirk, Potlatch; Robin Woods, Moscow; Terry Armstrong, Moscow; Aaron Ranisate, Genesee; Dr. Charles Jacobson, Moscow; Dr. David Shupe, Moscow; JoAnn Reece, Moscow; and John Norton, Moscow. All are unpaid volunteers. The board has contracted with Quorum Health Resources for management services for the past 25 years. Quorum provides excellent management, planners and consultants who assist the Gritman staff in keeping the facility up-to-date and successful. Quorum does not own Gritman. Although Gritman is nonprofit and the main Gritman facility does not pay property taxes, other properties owned by Gritman are taxed. Gritman alone paid $51,655 in property taxes in 2005. Including the Palouse Surgery Center, property taxes totaled $107,503. Gritman also contributes economic value in the form of well-paying jobs. Gritman currently employs 427 people. Salaries and benefits paid exceed $17 million annually. In addition, Gritman has more than 460 volunteers. Gritman is strongly committed to this community and looks forward to the decision of the voters Tuesday. B.J. Swanson, chair of the board, Gritman Medical Center, Troy Commuter bus service is essential I am very worried to hear of the possible elimination of the Wheatland Express Pullman-Moscow commuter bus. As a graduate student, I took several classes at University of Idaho and because of parking issues, there is no way to conveniently access both campuses during the day, except by the bus. Now, as faculty, I still use the bus occasionally to attend seminars and meetings with collaborators at the University of Idaho. The effect of dropping this service would be enormous. Think about the additional traffic on the already-crowded Pullman-Moscow Highway, the loss of collaborations between faculty at the two universities, and the decline in the number of students able to take classes at either university. Think about the number of students who don't own vehicles who would be affected by this decision. And, most important, think about the precedence this would set in terms of environmental issues. Both universities are striving to be more green and environmentally conscious, and what a great example - public transportation. Please reconsider this decision. There must be alternative solutions to the situation. Maybe we should hold a town hall meeting to brainstorm ideas to help keep the bus running. Shelley Pressley, Moscow Moscow ice rink is a special place I like the ice rink a lot. It's fun sliding around the ice. You can play games and you can make friends there. There is no other place to skate in town. I would be sad if the ice rink closed and hockey players wouldn't get to practice. Noemi Hill, age 8, Moscow