Dems, others oppose sale of Sunnyview
The Butler County Democratic Committee opposes the sale of the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Georgiann Kerr, committee chairman, on Wednesday presented a committee resolution to the county commissioners opposing the sale.
Kerr read the resolution, which stated the county has neither ordered an impact study nor held a public hearing on the sale.
“We at the Democratic Committee of Butler County insist you slow this juggernaut down, seek input from the community, treat our employees with more respect and search for a way to continue a valuable service,” she said.
County officials maintain Sunnyview needs to be sold due to its annual deficit.
The county estimates Sunnyview's 2014 deficit at more than $1 million.
Since $205,000 of that total is listed under building depreciation, the county would subsidize the remaining $838,452 of Sunnyview's total $20 million budget.
The county is seeking proposals from prospective buyers, which must bid at least $13.5 million by Dec. 13.
The nine other people who spoke during public comment also expressed their support to keep Sunnyview county-owned.
Vicki Smith of Karns City, a retired licensed practicing nurse who worked at Sunnyview, said the facility should remain county-owned.
“Can't we cut costs in other ways?” Smith said. “These folks need a home.”
Donna Falleckerof Butler praised Sunnyview, sayingher uncle's health declined while he stayed at another facility.
Fallecker said both the uncle and an aunt stay at Sunnyview.
“I honestlybelieve the care will deteriorate if Sunnyview is privatized,” she said.
Carolyn Graff of Jefferson Township said she feared a private owner could declare bankruptcy someday.
“I feel Sunnyview is a service to the county,” Graff said.
Commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton support a sale.
Mandy Wolford of Summit Township, a nurse's aide at Sunnyview, accused the two commissioners of not caring about the people served by Sunnyview.“You guys are so cold-hearted,” she said.Although a few other people signed up for public comment, the county limits the number of speakers to 10 at 3 minutes each.Commissioner Jim Eckstein, who opposes a sale, attempted to expand public comment to include extra speakers, but neither of his colleagues would support the motion.Pinkerton said Eckstein is spreading inaccurate information and spouting conspiracy theories.“There is no conspiracy,” Pinkerton said. “There's simply a commissioner who doesn't understand government accounting.”He said Eckstein has no credibility.“Commissioner Eckstein has done a gross disservice to the public by misleading them,” Pinkerton said.Earlier in the meeting, Eckstein complained that Pinkerton treats him unfairly.“Dale thinks I'm a boob,” Eckstein said.The county previously sought concessions from Sunnyview workers to offset the deficit.After the workers last month rejected a final county offer, their union, SEIU Healthcare, offered the county a counterproposal.Although the union claims its offer would save the county more than $1 million over two years, McCarrier stressed it's too late to return to the bargaining table.“That has passed,We want to save Sunnyview,” he said.After the commissioners meeting, a union rally opposing the pending sale of Sunnyview was held in Diamond Park.The crowd then walked down Diamond Street and stood in front of the government center entrance.
