One Year Later in Sauk County, the Struggle for Transparency and Accountability Continues

Just a year ago, the Sauk County board room was packed to the gills, overflowing into the hallway, community members ready to testify and to make their argument about why the Sauk County Health Care Center should remain county-owned and open.

A number of residents arrived in wheelchairs, having arranged transportation to the meeting. Nonetheless, before they had a chance to speak, Board Chair Tim McCumber brought the meeting to a close, several board members (literally) running out of the room as the gavel echoed. Waving his gavel in the air, McCumber scolded the community for being there and for "bringing" residents of the SCHCC with them–something that the residents, themselves, requested. He also yelled at those congregated, "The d*mn nursing home hasn't been sold."

Nearly a year later, community members are still struggling for transparency and accountability from McCumber and the Sauk County Board.

Tonight, the board is scheduled to vote on the appointment of a new citizen member to the SCHCC Board of Trustees. The issue? With McCumber as its head, the board nominated candidates while failing to inform or invite community groups and family members of HCC residents to apply for the position.

"If appointed," noted one member from the group Citizens for the Sauk County Health Care Center, "five of seven Trustee seats would belong to people who want it sold. What a racket."

"That's like putting foxes in charge of the hen house," said Judy Brey. "The Board of Trustees' mission is to make sure the nursing home is successful, not to make sure it is sold." "This isn't partisan stuff," said another community member. "It's about Sauk County families. It's about care for our elders–and for us. And it's about how decisions get made that will impact our future as we age here in Sauk County."

The struggle for transparency extends beyond county lines. On Saturday, June 13, Tom Kriegl and Hans Breitenmoser hand-delivered a petition signed by residents from 17+ counties to Governor Evers, calling for a moratorium on selling public nursing homes.

Community members are invited to attend tonight's Sauk County Board Meeting. Tuesday, June 16, 6 PM, 505 Broadway, Baraboo, WI.

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More about Citizens for the Sauk County Health Center here: https://linktr.ee/Citizens4Sauk