The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V25
This Website Is Full. Starting With The December 25, 2000 Newsletter,
All Future Editions Will Be Posted In The Llano Ledger 2, Found By
Clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2.
*************January 24, 2000*************
On Wednesday Jan.19, I was granted access to Llano Memorial Healthcare
System (LMHS) documents requested under the Texas Open Records Act.
This material is germane to Hospital plans to expand to Burnet County.
The new facility is to be known as the Marble Falls Community Hospital.
Since LMHS fully honored the Attorney General ruling, three additional
documents have been finally posted on this website as earlier promised.
The first is the Hospital request for a ruling from the Attorney
General. It may be found on LMHS V1. There are two additional letters
of commentary from this publication as allowed under Ch.552.304 of the
Gov't Code. They may be found on LMHS V2. All three documents are
indicative of considerable effort made by both sides to prevail.
I spent approximately 3 hrs. Wednesday carefully examining the released
material at the administrative Lam-Berry building. In addition, the
Administrator/CEO and I spoke for over an hour afterwards. Extensive
notes were taken, and 34 photocopies requested. As asserted earlier,
this material will not be published, nor will it be shared with LMHS
competitors. The documents are not suitable for publication since, as
expected, most of them are dry and highly technical. The only exception
is "Feasibility Study Background Information". It was clearly intended
as a simplified study guideline to facilitate understanding by the
Board.
As stated earlier, the ONLY purpose of the records request was an
independent assessment of Hospital expansion plans. The documents will
take time to fully analyze. Since there is a considerable amount of
material to be covered, several Newsletter editions will be required.
They'll be interspersed with other unrelated issues over the coming
weeks. Doing so will allow additional time for feasibility study data
to be compared with that coming from other sources. This edition,
however will be limited to coverage of my preliminary impression of the
requested material, as well as the circumstances and personalities
involved in the disclosure.
Despite pointed criticism and skewering of the Administrator on
this website, Mr. Parisi is indeed a gifted executive, and a most
interesting opponent. Although certainly a bean counter as most
government bureaucrats, he is in fact much more. Like any successful
CEO, he's managed to attract and surround himself with capable staff.
As most chief executives, Ernie is clearly a diplomat. ... Ever listen
to one? Sadly, they're too busy trying to please all parties by putting
a happy face on things. It's extremely difficult to get good, hard,
often unflattering information, -- and to get it reasonably quickly.
This is why I was delighted to receive the LMHS response to the
Attorney General ruling from Chief Financial Officer Mindy Smith. I was
hoping to get a one-one-one crack at an interview with the CFO after
reviewing the records. Like this writer, Smith is abrasive, has a
no-nonsense approach, and doesn't easily suffer fools. ... Indeed,
admirable qualities in the not-so-humble and jaded view of this writer.
An aggressive, probing interview , without Ernie present, would have
indeed provided an interesting "take" of hospital finances probably
closer to reality than that from the CEO. It was not to be, however.
Too bad.
For some reason, the CFO had written the meeting was to occur at
the main Ollie St. address rather than the administrative Lam-Berry
building on Lampasas St.. A call from the receptionist to Ernie's
Executive Secretary Karen Kinard quickly clarified the location. Kinard
is also extremely capable and apparently well-coached by the
Administrator. Upon entering the conference room, she immediately asked
what material I would like to review. I thought to myself "Duh.", but
quietly answered "The documents as promised." After she left, I pulled
out an itemized list expecting further stonewalling or at least a
run-around. Upon returning, I presented her with the list. She replied
it was unnecessary, and that I'd find everything in order.
Interesting, isn't it? Apparently, she may have been instructed to
provide as little as possible. Before leaving, she cordially asked if I
wanted coffee. Having mercilessly skewered her boss repeatedly on this
website, I wickedly saw an opportunity for a little gallows humor. I
replied "Black.", and mischievously dead-panned "Hold the arsenic." --
Big mistake. ... Big, big mistake. ... Went over about as well as a
lead balloon. Sensing intense distress and discomfort, I quickly added
"Just joking, just joking." ... And I was JUST JOKING. A glaring lack
of political correctness does have its rewards though. ... There's
never a dull moment. Devilishly wicked? You bet. Sadly, part of my
"charm". All joking aside, it's only a hospital. Not a defense plant.
Officials need to take a deep breath, and learn how to relax.
Interestingly, the Executive Secretary provided "stick-um" labels to
demarcate any pages I wished to photocopy. As it turned out, they were
intended more for the convenience of the Administrator so that he could
easily ascertain what material was being copied. Sensing the palpable
intense discomfort with disclosure, I asked Kinard to inform Ernie once
again I had no intention of publishing the material. The Executive
Secretary then took the opportunity to ask if I would share the
Newsletter edition with them first before publishing it. I replied no.
I added the Administrator or any other Hospital official would be
offered space on this website to respond. The distress of the Executive
Secretary was quite apparent. Wanting a crack at Ernie after reviewing
the documents, I quickly added I would talk to her again prior to
leaving.
Thorough analysis of the material will indeed take time. Again,
only my initial impressions will be discussed today. Intellectual
honesty, however, demands I disclose the bias I bring to any
commissioned study. Since it was dearly paid for by LMHS, why shouldn't
the results be exactly what they expected? Did Hospital officials
honestly ask themselves the same question? I certainly hope so. With
the research costing approximately $40,000, I find it disturbing the
documents did not include raw data or discussion of the statistical
tools and methods used to generate the results. The final product is
presented in a chart and graphical manner. Again, there was little
technical discussion as to how the findings were derived.
In fairness to the Administrator and staff, the material was indeed
prepared for the edification of the Board and not an independent
investigator assessing the validity. This is why a meaningful
assessment will take time to complete. Suffice it to say for now, the
demographics contain no surprises. They are exactly what would be
expected by anyone having lived here for years and reasonably
knowledgeable about the influx of population and growth. The documents
are certainly written in a manner designed to "sell"
the Board on expansion. Again, this is not surprising since Hospital
officials commissioned the study. In the coming weeks, I'll present a
more detailed analysis as I compare study results with information
coming from other sources. This will be done not only with the
demographics, but with the financial projections as well.
The subsequent meeting with the Administrator was indeed
productive. Part of the problem for Hospital officials has apparently
been the relentless, unconventional, aggressive pursuit of information
by this writer. ... That will certainly continue. Management of any
organization resents intrusion by media. LMHS is no exception. The
Hospital, however, is a public entity subject to close scrutiny. The
Administrator and staff are indeed truly concerned with disclosure of
information useful to competitors. When it finally becomes clear LMHS
documents aren't going to be plastered all over this website, nor
shared with competitors, maybe the Administrator will be more
forthcoming with information. ... Relax, Ernie.
Scuttlebutt circulating the County alleges the Hospital to be in
financial distress. Absolutely untrue according to the Administrator.
Preliminary review of the released documents supports this assertion.
For 1999, study figures estimate the Hospital to be in the black by
nearly $500,000. Mr. Parisi, however, strongly asserts the final figure
will be in excess of $600,000.
Clearly, not an enormous cushion for an operation as large as LMHS.
Officials fear the Hospital will go under if expansion to Marble Falls
doesn't proceed. I asked the Administrator specifically for a time
frame. While asserting he had no crystal ball, he expects the situation
to become critical in 5 to 7 years. Stunned by his candor, I asked a
second time to be sure I understood his response. Had the Chief
Financial Officer been present, I certainly would have asked for her
"take". I certainly hope the Administrator will make her available for
a one-on-one interview after I've had sufficient time to analyze the
released material.
Being a diplomat, I expect Mr. Parisi may be understating his true
concern. That's why a crack at an interview with the CFO is so
desirable. While there might indeed be fireworks and the flying of fur,
a meeting might indeed be productive. All joking aside, a CFO has a far
better understanding of the financial situation in any organization
than a CEO. ... No offense, Ernie.
Mr. Parisi further asserts there was no connection between the Open
Records ruling and the formal announcement of Marble Falls expansion
plans four days later. Sorry Ernie. No sale. It just isn't credible. I
knew exactly when the ruling was to be released by the Attorney
General. Apparently, so did your attorney. After all, Fletcher isn't
stupid. If he didn't know, it's time to give him the boot. As
previously asserted, a complaint will be filed with the Attorney
General against LMHS for filing a bogus request for ruling. The
document will also be published on this website.
The Administrator further claimed the formal expansion announcement
contained no new information. If so, why make the announcement? While
it indeed contained little new information, the size and location of
the selected site was released. The expansion was also formally named.
... Four days after the AG ruling. Interesting, isn't it?
The second meeting with the Administrator was also productive since
it led to the resolution of the second open records request. Readers
will recall released billing sheets pegged the study and audit costs at
$38,960. Fletcher Brown in the request for ruling document twice
asserted the cost to be in excess of $40,000. The Administrator claimed
the attorney was mistaken.
Parisi strongly asserts at the time of the request there were NO other
attorney's fees. Interesting, no? The Open Records Division does not
have the authority to examine internal Hospital documents to determine
the truth. This would have to come at the behest of the District or
County Attorney. Since each is apparently corrupt, highly unlikely any
action would be taken. After all, both are highly selective in their
prosecutions, and do nothing without due political consideration.
I asked the Administrator to e-mail the legal cost of requesting the
ruling from the Attorney General. I received the following message from
Mr. Parisi dated 1-19-2000 in response:
*********************************
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
I spoke to our attorney today regarding their billings for the
legal services provided for open records act response. As of my phone
call today, the total billings that we are to be charged as of December
31, 1999 is $1070.00.
Ernie Parisi
Administrator
*********************************
From the substance of the message, it's clear the figure isn't
final. It's also clear the figure includes the legal expense of both
requests, and not specifically the cost of the request for ruling. It
doesn't matter. The purpose of the second request was to expose the
high cost of stonewalling. As I told the Administrator again Wednesday,
I would prefer to handle information requests informally by e-mail. He
seemed responsive. The received message was indeed encouraging. Sadly,
all that transpired Wednesday could have occurred three months ago, --
sparing the Administrator substantial legal fees, and more importantly,
the loss of credibility.
Along with others in the community, it disturbs me greatly a Llano
County quasi-governmental entity intends to dump $13.5 million in a
neighboring county. Again, the Administrator claims the expansion is
absolutely necessary for the survival of LMHS. Clearly, the disclosed
documents were designed to support this contention. The Administrator
further asserts Llano County resident complaints regarding having to
travel to Marble Falls for care would indeed be moot and beside the
point should expansion not proceed and LMHS eventually forced to close
its doors. If indeed true, it would be disastrous for this area. The
disclosed material will be carefully analyzed to determine if in fact
it truly supports the Administrator's contention.
I suspect Parisi is engaging in a bit of hyperbole. It's highly
unlikely LMHS would ever close its doors. A larger private healthcare
provider would take over much as Seton did in Burnet. As a strong
supporter of privatization, the bias I bring to this issue is clear. In
fairness to the Administrator and staff, however, the Hospital is
indeed run more like a private business than any other Llano County
governmental entity, -- quasi or otherwise. After all, it has no taxing
authority, but enormous, overhead and expenses. ... Should LMHS be
privatized, however, the Administrator and upper management would be
unemployed. -- This may indeed be a buried factor in the expansion.
Other than the inconvenience of having to travel to the Hoerster
Clinic on 29, former Community Clinic patients are not being denied
medical care according to Mr. Parisi. Furthermore, he strongly asserts
patients are treated first at all LMHS facilities. Staff THEN worries
about payment. No one is denied care, -- regardless of their ability to
pay. If untrue, write me. If you have any horror stories, they'll be
investigated and published if substantiated.
One interesting feature repeatedly occurring through all recently
disclosed documents was the CYA (Cover Your A--) language. The
documents also repeatedly asserted the material was only intended for
Board members and was not to be shared with any third parties. I asked
the Administrator specifically if that was done at his request or that
of any other LMHS officials. He responded no. He indicated he and the
CFO were also irritated with the linguistic tactics. Interesting, no?
I'll have more on this in the future. Stay tuned. There is a lot to
come.
Finally, a special thanks to Llano County Deputy Christopher for
going well out of his way Wednesday evening to provide a ride. I'm
deeply grateful. The visitor count at this website stands in excess of
6100. I need your financial support. As previously mentioned, the
pop-up and banner advertising belongs to Maxpages. _The Ledger receives
no income from either, and remains non-profit. As always, this
publication needs and appreciates donations from readers. Sadly, no
other publication is willing to challenge corrupt and abusive
officials. Readers can expect continued aggressive, relentless,
officious, tireless pursuit of our most egregious offenders. --
Figuratively speaking, a "take no prisoners" approach, regardless of
whose toes are stepped on, feathers ruffled, tail feathers plucked, or
beak tweaked. Things can change in our community. Be part of it. Help
me to help you. Support this publication.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:27pm EDT