April 23, 2004

Dear Countryside Board of Trustees,

Yesterday afternoon Earlene Ronk gave me a packet of records regarding the cross, altar and lectern. As far as I can tell - I'm eager to be corrected and hear the full story – the County spent $6,000 on these three items.

Needless to say, I'm very surprised. Until yesterday, I'd been told that the altar had come over from the old facility. No one mentioned that the County spent $3,000 to have it removed and reduced in size in order to be used at the new building. No one mentioned that the matching lectern cost $2,000.

The purchase was authorized by Michael Gernetzke in March 2003 and a downpayment made from the Resident's Fund. I think we can all agree that the County's staff and funds were involved in the choice, purchase and installation of these items. I'd like to learn more about how the Wish List Fund and the Resident's Fund are either part of the County's operation or not.

On March 13, 2004, Earlene Ronk told me “The cross was fully funded by donations, no public money was used.  The church donated most of the money, but a private individual donated the balance.” The records show two $1,000 donations earmarked for the cross and altar. One is from the Methodist church, the other was apparently from a Countryside resident.

Some of the records I was given yesterday have been blacked out. Earlene Ronk explained that names were removed to comply with HIPAA regulations. I'm somewhat aware of the necessities of protecting resident information, but in this case I don't think you can have it both ways. These residents made donations to the County or to a Wish List Fund run by the County. It's not related to their residency or medical care.

Again, I do not think the County should be in the business of establishing religious icons and favoring one religion over another in a public facility. I do not oppose the use of the community room by any parties, but I do object to the use of public funds and staff time to purchase religious decorations and furniture.

Sincerely,

John J. Foust