DARLINGTON - With the future of Lafayette County Manor being decided by a binding referendum Nov. 12, a group of local citizens is coming together in an effort to save the county's only nursing home.
Friends of Lafayette County Manor include family members of the home's residents, advocates for senior citizens, community members who work in the home and citizens concerned about the potential loss of jobs.
Joe Kieffer, a life-long resident of Lafayette County, is co-chair of Friends of Lafayette Manor. He has been a registered nurse at the Manor since 1990, and has had several close relatives at the Manor.
"We all realize that a lot is at stake in this referendum and we have very little time to communicate the consequences," he said.
Kieffer said passage of the referendum means an extra $4.55 a month for the average homeowner.
"That's less than dinner at McDonald's and a lot better for you," he added.
The referendum would ask voters to allow the county to exceed the state-imposed tax levy limit by $500,000 for each of the next three years.
The county board committee overseeing the Manor told the employees, "if we couldn't get our (act) together, tough bananas," Kieffer said. "Besides losing your job, where are people going to go?"
The alternative of selling the Manor sent union and non-union employees into action, forming the Friends of Lafayette County Manor, and they are taking action to inform and educate the public about the Manor.
The group has "sliced up" the work out to members, Kieffer said. They are writing letters to media editors, making posters, pamphlets and fact sheets, and sending mailings throughout the county.
They have also organized an informational meeting for the public at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the First Banking Center.
Kieffer said he understands both sides of the argument on the referendum, but he wants voters to realize the value the Manor contributes to the county.
"The Manor is not 'Boot Hill' - the end of the line for elderly," he said, "and the Manor is not just for Lafayette County residents."
The Manor, unlike private nursing homes that can choose its residents, "deals with what comes through the door 24/7," Kieffer said.
Judy Gobeli, also a nurse at the Manor, co-chairs the group with Kieffer.
"We know times are tough, but that's why this is exactly the wrong time to turn our backs on people who deserve good care and dignity in their own time of need," she said. "Any of us could need the services Lafayette Manor provides at some point. There is no place like it in our entire county. If it goes away, we will have no place left to turn."
Lafayette Manor is a skilled care facility for elderly citizens and rehabilitation for people recovering from an accident or surgery. Hospice, respite care, adult day care and a memory care unit is also available.
Lafayette Manor also provides meals for the Senior Center, home delivery, the Darlington Day Care and the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department.
The Manor provides laundry services for the Sheriff's Department, the hospital, the Family Health Clinic of Lafayette County and the Tulachka Dentist office.
Lafayette Manor Administrator Delores Rydberg estimated the nursing home will be about $158,000 over budget at the end of the year.
One reason for the deficit is a loss in state funding, she said. Another reason is a lower number of nursing home residents. The Manor can house up to 80 residents, she said. At last count, there were 68 residents.
In the past, the county was able to use general fund money to help pay for the nursing home. This year, the county saw an unexpected increase in its human services budget. Lafayette County Human Services expects to be about $795,000 over budget.
Friends of Lafayette County Manor include family members of the home's residents, advocates for senior citizens, community members who work in the home and citizens concerned about the potential loss of jobs.
Joe Kieffer, a life-long resident of Lafayette County, is co-chair of Friends of Lafayette Manor. He has been a registered nurse at the Manor since 1990, and has had several close relatives at the Manor.
"We all realize that a lot is at stake in this referendum and we have very little time to communicate the consequences," he said.
Kieffer said passage of the referendum means an extra $4.55 a month for the average homeowner.
"That's less than dinner at McDonald's and a lot better for you," he added.
The referendum would ask voters to allow the county to exceed the state-imposed tax levy limit by $500,000 for each of the next three years.
The county board committee overseeing the Manor told the employees, "if we couldn't get our (act) together, tough bananas," Kieffer said. "Besides losing your job, where are people going to go?"
The alternative of selling the Manor sent union and non-union employees into action, forming the Friends of Lafayette County Manor, and they are taking action to inform and educate the public about the Manor.
The group has "sliced up" the work out to members, Kieffer said. They are writing letters to media editors, making posters, pamphlets and fact sheets, and sending mailings throughout the county.
They have also organized an informational meeting for the public at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the First Banking Center.
Kieffer said he understands both sides of the argument on the referendum, but he wants voters to realize the value the Manor contributes to the county.
"The Manor is not 'Boot Hill' - the end of the line for elderly," he said, "and the Manor is not just for Lafayette County residents."
The Manor, unlike private nursing homes that can choose its residents, "deals with what comes through the door 24/7," Kieffer said.
Judy Gobeli, also a nurse at the Manor, co-chairs the group with Kieffer.
"We know times are tough, but that's why this is exactly the wrong time to turn our backs on people who deserve good care and dignity in their own time of need," she said. "Any of us could need the services Lafayette Manor provides at some point. There is no place like it in our entire county. If it goes away, we will have no place left to turn."
Lafayette Manor is a skilled care facility for elderly citizens and rehabilitation for people recovering from an accident or surgery. Hospice, respite care, adult day care and a memory care unit is also available.
Lafayette Manor also provides meals for the Senior Center, home delivery, the Darlington Day Care and the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department.
The Manor provides laundry services for the Sheriff's Department, the hospital, the Family Health Clinic of Lafayette County and the Tulachka Dentist office.
Lafayette Manor Administrator Delores Rydberg estimated the nursing home will be about $158,000 over budget at the end of the year.
One reason for the deficit is a loss in state funding, she said. Another reason is a lower number of nursing home residents. The Manor can house up to 80 residents, she said. At last count, there were 68 residents.
In the past, the county was able to use general fund money to help pay for the nursing home. This year, the county saw an unexpected increase in its human services budget. Lafayette County Human Services expects to be about $795,000 over budget.