The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V30
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.
*************March 6, 2000**************
In the Feb. 7, 2000 Newsletter edition, several disturbing excerpts
from Llano Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS) released documents were
published. Readers will recall those documents were Parrish, Moody,
& Fikes, p.c. accounting reports offered by LMHS in support and
verification of the HCF Feasibility Study commissioned by the Hospital.
The nature of the excerpts raised serious questions, however,
regarding whether LMHS officials had indeed provided all necessary
information to the accountants. To make a long story short, are the
accounting reports reliable, or nothing more than a sham? After an
additional month of inquiry, the answer remains unclear.
Access to all LMHS-accountants records regarding the proposed Marble
Falls Community Hospital was sought, -- including contracts, fax,
snail, and e-mail correspondence, as well as telephone logs.
Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi and I exchanged several e-mails, and a
meeting was finally scheduled for Tues., Feb. 29.
At that time, Executive Secretary Karen Kinard produced one
additional four-page document dated August 30, 1999 from the
accountants confirming their "understanding of the services" to be
provided for the Hospital. Both Kinard and Parisi strongly asserted NO
other documents exist. In addition, telephone logs are reportedly not
kept by Hospital authorities.
As reported in an earlier edition, LMHS spent $21,460 for the
aforementioned accounting reports. -- More, in fact, than they spent on
the Feasibility Study itself. Yet, there are NO other records?
Interesting, isn't it? More pointedly, it more than stretches
credulity. ... A hospital with meager, virtually no records, regarding
a substantial expenditure? No sale, Ernie. It doesn't wash.
Clearly not an attorney nor accountant or hospital administrator,
this publication, however, has given LMHS management EVERY benefit of
the doubt over the last several months, -- despite egregious
stonewalling and foot-dragging nearly every step of the way. The
guiding principle behind this probe has always been to do no damage to
LMHS and its best interests, while carefully determining if there has
in fact been any impropriety. This has been an extremely difficult
tightrope to walk in view of the wall deliberately erected by the
Administrator, his staff, and a handsomely-paid hired legal gun. ...
What are you so afraid of, Ernie? More pointedly, what are you hiding?
Mr. Parisi claims, that although disturbing, the language in the
accounting reports is nothing more than standard operating procedure
for such firms. ... Over the years, I've had ample opportunity to read
numerous accounting reports. Never have I seen anything quite like the
aforementioned.
What makes this all the more troubling is the narrow margin LMHS
operates on. According to the Administrator, the final figure for 1999
is approximately $690,000. Parisi asserted, however, other hospitals
operate on even lower margins. He asked if I had in fact seen a recent
related article in the Feb. 27 edition of the _Austin American
Statesman.
I had not, but managed to pull it up on the Net. Readers should take a
careful look at the Rebecca Thatcher piece. It is indeed interesting
and can be found by clicking on
http://austin360.com/statesman/editions/sunday/news_3.html.
The Administrator repeatedly and steadfastly stood by his earlier
explanation of the language in the reports. Reportedly, it is again
simply standard operating procedure for a prestigious accounting firm
with an excellent reputation. Furthermore, the final reports are not
yet available, and GAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are
indeed being followed, according to the Administrator.
Parisi's assertion, however, does NOT jive with the Accountants
Compilation Report dated June 22, 1999: "Management has elected to omit
substantially all of the disclosures required by generally accepted
accounting principles and the statement of cash flows. If the omitted
disclosures and statement of cash flows were included in the historical
financial statements, they might influence the user's conclusions about
the Hospital's historical financial position, results of operations,
and cash flows. Accordingly, these historical financial statements are
not designed for those who are not informed about such matters."
The Administrator's failure to publicly address this glaring
inconsistency is devastating. During two recent meetings, Parisi
offered no explanation. Why??? Apparently, there is none. Yet, this
document has been offered in support and verification of the
Feasibility Study.
When the Administrator casually mentioned my misgivings and
suspicions, I immediately asked if he had indeed read the Feb. 7
Newsletter edition. He stared blankly momentarily, and disingenuously
replied no. .... How the hell would he know what I thought if he hadn't
read the material??? I let it pass, but asked him to read the
Newsletter and kindly respond in writing.
Furthermore, I implored him to make his case to the readers exactly
as he had to me. Once again and as asserted previously, he replied he
has a policy of not responding to anything in the media. Interesting,
isn't it? A remarkably convenient Catch-22, no? ... Isn't it also the
function of a CEO to be the ultimate spokesperson for a "corporate"
entity? ... Again, we're talking about a governmental bureaucrat here,
aren't we? What do I want, the world or what?
I took the opportunity to remind Mr. Parisi there are indeed
serious misgivings and suspicions in the community regarding the
proposed facility, and that it was to his advantage to publicly address
those concerns. Sadly, he made no commitment to do so, flatly asserting
Hospital authorities intend to pursue financing through the sale of
bonds. Furthermore, if the effort to secure funding fails, it fails,
and they then move on to other things. ... Fascinating, isn't it? A
truly blase, detached approach, no? ... Especially, when it's not HIS
money to lose.
Readers should understand there is clearly a level of arrogance, or
at the very least indifference, on the part of LMHS officials in regard
to negative public reaction to expansion plans involving a neighboring
county. Apparently, they couldn't care less. More pointedly, they've
forgotten they're a quasi-governmental entity indeed answerable to
Llano County taxpayers. Should LMHS go bankrupt, top management would
quickly get the boot. Apparently, truth and honesty have taken a
backseat to expediency.
Until now, I've held off filing a complaint against LMHS in regard
to their bogus request for an exception ruling from the Attorney
General. I wanted to see the level of cooperation displayed as
additional information was requested. The complaint will be filed
shortly, and posted on this website.
I still have not decided how to present statistical information from
the released accounting reports. One major concern is providing no
advantage to LMHS competitors. As time passes, of course, these
concerns become less significant. With the operational margin as narrow
as it is, however, assumptions made both in the accounting reports as
well as the feasibility study are critically important.
One particularly disturbing assumption is that the level of
indigent care will remain the same for the next five years.
Interesting, isn't it? ... More to come on this and other related
issues in the near future. While all may indeed be on the up and up,
I'm terribly concerned with the proposed expansion, and whether
Hospital officials are in fact being upfront and honest about the
endeavor.
With the scarcity of information, few records of substance made
available, intense stonewalling including delaying tactics such as the
AG ruling request coupled with disingenuous e-mail messages, as well as
the refusal of the Administrator to respond publicly to glaring
inconsistencies and community concerns, something is NOT quite right
here.
Lacking the Gestapo power of a prosecutor or police investigator,
however, there is no quick or easy way to determine the truth. Since
the proposed hospital will apparently be financed by bonds, isn't it
interesting no LMHS official is willing to categorically state in
writing taxpayers will NOT be left holding the bag should the facility
fail. Are Llano County taxpayers comfortable being held ultimately
responsible for the indebtedness of a Burnet County hospital? More
pointedly, why haven't the people been allowed to vote on the
expansion? Afraid it wouldn't pass, Ernie?
With the incorporation of LMHS, our illustrious Commissioners
ensured Hospital executives would no longer be accountable to elected
officials other than the District Attorney. Most convenient, isn't it?
With the current incumbent, it clearly means Hospital authorities can
do as they please with virtual impunity. Needless to say, the expansion
issue will continue to be carefully examined.
**********************************
The selfless effort of numerous volunteers at the Lakeshore Library
is quite something to behold. Friends of the Lakeshore Library have
been working hard raising funds for a new, much larger facility. One of
their committees is putting a remarkable amount of effort into
compiling a cookbook of area recipes.
The price is $8.95 and all proceeds go to the building fund.
They're still looking for a few additional recipes in the pickled and
canned categories, as well as for your favorite appetizers and
beverages. To reserve a copy of the book or submit a recipe, give the
library a call at 915-379-1174. ... Makes an inexpensive great gift for
a loved one, doesn't it?
Readers should understand no one asked for this plug or even knew
it was coming, but the truly selfless labor of so many demands it.
Their efforts will also save the taxpayers an enormous amount of money
on a most worthy cause, -- the construction of a much larger library
providing all with quick and easy access to information.
_The Ledger visitor count stands in excess of 8900. Sadly, there
continues to be no financial support, despite snowballing readership.
... After all, why pay for it when you can get it for free? Right?
Damned pitiful. With growing public interest, our cowardly area
businesses will sooner or later take advantage of the market
represented by this expanding readership. While I can certainly
understand the fear and subsequent reluctance of businesses to
advertise, it is the failure of the readership to financially support
this publication that disturbs me most. Indeed, WHERE is YOUR courage
and generosity? When will you do your part, instead of selfishly taking
what you can get? If this publication is apparently good enough to be
read by so many, why isn't it being financially supported?
As repeatedly asserted, 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 1:24pm EDT