Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor,

I’m writing about an issue of concern to me, and I’m sure other Scotland County residents and voters, about the current status of our Scotland County Hospital / Sigler Square (formerly known as the Scotland County Care Center / Nursing Home).

Many of us remember the somewhat abrupt closure of our local Nursing Home in December 2021. What turmoil that was for the lifelong residents living in that facility at the time, who were displaced to other Nursing Homes, and for their families.

I, and likely many other residents, were pleasantly surprised when we learned about new members on the Scotland County Hospital / Sigler Square Board of Directors trying to get the Nursing Home Building remodeled and repaired to comply with new standards……with hopes to reopen it in the future! These repairs are not cheap and we had a $4.8M tax bond on the ballot for our August 6, 2024 Primary Election. This tax bond issue easily passed which is a clear indicator of the community support.

So, now here we over 8 months after the tax bond passage, and where are we on these required repairs? What was the cost? How much have we spent thus far? Have there been any inspections? Is there any future anticipated cost as a result of any inspections, or to be in compliance? Are there any future inspections scheduled? What are the remaining tasks / projects that must be completed before we can open this facility? What is the projected opening date of this facility?

I’m not aware of any public updates in the local newspaper or on the radio. Why not? This is absolutely unacceptable! At this point we should have monthly updates published in the local newspaper. I realize there is a monthly board meeting that is open to the public and there is a Facebook Page, but in today’s busy world, with so many competing events, some people can’t make it to board meetings and some folks don’t have Facebook.

This lack of transparency to the public on current / future expenditures might give some people the perception that “they are hiding something.” I don’t think that is the case, but it has the potential of giving that perception.

The tax paying residents of this community not only deserve answers they need answers. After all it is their tax dollars and they have a right to know how their tax dollars are being managed and where these tax dollars are going.

A concerned taxpayer,

Dale Bienusa