By no means a majority, but some of the candidates in contested races for Knox County Board would at least be open to selling the Knox County Nursing Home to a private buyer.Republican Patrick Harlan, running in District 1, is perhaps the most vocal proponent of such a sale, telling WGIL selling the facility is the “best option for residents, staff and tax payers of the county.”
Another Republican running in District 1, where voters must choose 2 of three candidates, Dick Conklin is in favor of a discussion about a sale among the community.
He says his opinion would depend on if the home is “meeting a need that isn’t or can’t be met in the private sector.”
The final District 1 candidate, Cheryl Nache didn’t return WGIL’s messages but told The Register Mail this month that she’s confident steps the board has taken to address issues will “be successful.”
Democrat Tara Wilder running for a 2-year unexpired term in District 3 is very much against privatization, saying it would adversely affect lower income residents in need of care.
Her opponent, Republican Barb Foster also told The Register Mail she’s not in favor of a sale and that once things turn around the nursing “should be able to support itself.”
Republican Preston Johnson running in District 2 told The Register Mail that if the nursing home can’t stop losing money “then we need to take a serious look at contracting it out or privatizing it all together.”
Todd Olinger running in District 4 has similarly that if it’s a cost to taxpayers, “other options may need to be addressed.”
Josh Dean, Democrat running in District 5 opposes a closure for the uncertainty it would bring to staff and residents of the nursing home and how it would affect care.
However, his Republican opponent, incumbent Brian Friedrich also has given no indication he supports a closure saying recently the home was “on track” although it needs to be “watched closely.”
There are no Democratic candidates that have spoke in favor of privatization, including District 3’s Kyle Rohweder and Pam Davidson, who are essentially unopposed as they vie for two seats.
Current board member Jared Hawkinson (not up for re-election) Wednesday night announced that the nursing home was “almost out of the (financial) red”, after several outstanding payments were collected.
