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 As asserted earlier, this material will not be published, nor will it be shared with LMHS competitors.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