Nursing home board’s actions ensure services

I am writing in response to the two letters recently published in The Tribune's People's Sayso regarding decisions made at a local nursing home. I would not normally address issues in this forum but feel that it is necessary because the statements in these letters are false and unsubstantiated by facts.

The referenced nonprofit nursing home is celebrating 40 years of service to the community this year. Many lives have been affected and will continue to be because of the wonderful staff, volunteers and board members God has blessed us with. I think it so unfortunate and unprofessional that all of these folks are getting so much "bad press" because of some individuals who don't know the whole story.

Six contractors were sent a request for proposal for a construction management arrangement. Three of these contractors are based in Jackson County, Jennings County and Bartholomew County. Five firms submitted a proposal and all five firms were interviewed.

The statement that one bid was sought is far from the truth. All of the firms were asked the same questions during the interview and decisions were made based on established criteria.

A very impartial process was followed and the board made the best decision for the home, our residents and our staff. The firm chosen will help the facility manage the construction project, not do all the work. Competitive bidding will be sought in all phases of the project and our hope is that the actual work will be performed by local contractors.

Supporting the community is what our organization has always been about and will continue to be about. There has never been a formal announcement from the board regarding the firm that was chosen, so I am unsure of where these erroneous statements are coming.

I would encourage any member of the community who has a question or a concern about this process to give me a call. I am very fortunate and proud to lead a great group of staff at Lutheran Community Home and am honored on a daily basis to be a part of the care that is provided to the residents we serve.

Let us not forget about them in all of this negative talk. I am also very proud to have a dedicated group of individuals who volunteer their time and dedicate their service to our board. Their focus is to ensure that we have the services needed in our community now and in the future.

To me, that is the "ultimate" in support of the community.

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Karyn Fleetwood is the administrator of Lutheran Community Home in Seymour.