The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V80
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*************February 26, 2001***************
Nazism is alive and well in Llano County. The 33rd Judicial
District Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) has once again displayed its
true colors and penchant for Gestapo tactics Adolph and Benito would
have been proud of.
At approximately 7AM on the morning of February 15, 2001, courageous
NET "officers" conducted a no-knock, "dynamic entry" raid at the 690
Midland Drive, Kingsland residence of the Mirelez family.
Non-uniformed, heavily-armed goons without badges or other insignia
kicked in the doors of four Mirelez residences located on the property.
-- Nor did this "elite" organization of abusive stormtroopers identify
themselves as police "officers" or furnish any arrest or search
warrants. ... NET Commander Dwight Hardin and the "Boys" apparently
think they live in Nazi Germany. Do they?
Readers will recall this is not the first encounter the Mirelez family
has had with NET. In Newsletter Text V60 and 59, an earlier incident
was reported involving a warrantless search and highly abusive behavior
by these cowardly thugs who have sworn "To Protect and Serve".
Permission was granted then and again now by the Mirelez family to
fully investigate and report their continuing encounters with these
truly sterling "officers" and the "legal" system.
This is the first of what will be a series of articles on the
latest raid. Readers are again cautioned this is NOT an investigation
of the guilt or innocence of charged Mirelez family members. -- That is
clearly the task of a jury and courtroom. Rather, this will be an
investigation and expose of highly questionable and abusive NET
tactics.
While NET Commander Dwight Hardin is immediately accountable for the
actions of his "officers", District Attorney Sam Oatman is ultimately
responsible. Sadly, Ole' Sam "The Sham" has apparently little to no
respect or regard for the law and U.S. Constitution himself, and has
been a repeated target in this publication.
According to Mirelez family members, the problem apparently extends
beyond NET. Llano County Sheriff Nathan Garrett was present at the raid
and did nothing to abate NET Nazi tactics, -- specifically the
outrageous marauding behavior of NET "officers". The Ledger will
certainly continue to expose the corruption, abuse, and bastardization
of the Bill of Rights by our stellar officials. ... Count on it, Sam.
... You too, Nathan.
Starting with the next Newsletter, March 5, 2001, the full story of the
February 15 NET raid will begin. Posting will start in the next few
days. Look for it. -- Hey, Sam? One more thing... Your goons wantonly
trashed four Mirelez residences and two out-buildings. ... How do you
sleep nights?
*****************************************
One hour was granted recently by LMHS Administrator/CEO Jerry Durr
to continue examination of employee "expense reports" and recent Llano
Bay Health Care and Llano County Hospital Authority Board minutes.
Additional outrageous waste and looting by Hospital employees were
found and will be posted in the near future after compilation. The
following are interesting excerpts from the Board minutes of both
Hospital Corporations:
Llano County Hospital Authority Confidential Committee Minutes-October 28, 2000:
"V.Report of 501c(3)
Wade Hutto gave a brief report on what transpired at the Llano Bay
Health Care Board Meeting prior to this meeting. Ernie Parisi was asked
to come up with specific recommendations as to where we can cut to
bring us a profit every month. His recommendations are as follows:
1. EMS-separate from the Hospital or have the department fully funded.
2. Close Marble Falls and the San Saba Clinic.
3. Close OB.
4. ER-pull our physicians from the clinics during daytime.
5. Eliminate RT
Wade Hutto also stated that a meeting would be held Friday, October 27,
2000 including representatives of the City, County, local banks, two
physicians and three members of the Board. This will allow the
community to have input to help make these difficult decisions. He will
have more to report after the meeting tomorrow. E. Parisi explained
that we will have the provider numbers by Monday. This will enable us
to file. If they are clean claims, we could be paid in 21 to 30 days.
There was also discussion about creating a Hospital District."
Llano Bay Health Care Confidential Committee Minutes-November 9, 2000:
"III. Wade Hutto, with regret, accepted Ernie Parisi's resignation.
He will remain with the Llano Memorial Healthcare System for 90 days or
until he receives another offer of employment elsewhere. Should he
leave prior to the end of 90 days, he will receive the full payment for
the remaining 90 days. If Mr. Parisi is fired at any time during the 90
days, his contract will go into effect and he will receive a six months
severance pay. If a new Administrator is hired, Mr. Parisi shall
receive payment for the remaining 90 days. Mr. Parisi also added that
if any Board Member resigns during the 90 days, he will also leave and
shall be entitled to payment for the remaining 90 days. He feels that
the Board must stay together for the sake of the entire System.
Mr. Parisi has accepted Mindy Smith's resignation, which requires a
30 day notice. The Board asked her to stay for the 90 days to assist
the Administrator. Her response was that she was only required to give
a 30 day notice, but if she has not found employment elsewhere, she
might consider staying longer.
Mike Center made motion to accept with regret the resignation of Ernie
Parisi, Administrator, with the following conditions: He will remain
with the Llano Memorial Healthcare System for 90 days or until he
receives another offer of employment elsewhere. Should he leave prior
to the end of 90 days, he will receive the full payment for the 90
days. If Mr. Parisi is fired at any time during the 90 days, his
contract will go into effect and he will receive a six months severance
pay. It was seconded by David Willmann. Motion carries."
[Publisher's Note: ... Nothing quite like taking care of your own, no? -- Or the Aryan arrogance of power? T.C.]
Llano Bay Health Care 501C(3) Confidential Committee Minutes-November 13, 2000:
II. Mike Oatman, Parrish, Moody & Fikes, p.c., spoke to the
Boards about the current condition of the Hospital. He explained that
this is a high quality healthcare institution. It is very viable and a
value to the community. The expense ratio is under control, but the bad
debt has doubled. The RHC's are not the culprit. The Marble Falls
Clinic needs help, but it appears to be changeable. The Hospital is on
a reimbursement bubble. It is barely qualifying for Dispro. The System
needs to get some immediate relief. $1.5 million needed in a working
loan. Get expense reduction, but base on productivity analysis. Shed
unnecessary drains, like EMS. Attack Bad Debt and get a long term
source of capital, Tax District and/or USDA loan.
III. Mike Oatman will complete a detailed FTE Process in the next
two weeks. He will also send some representatives of Parrish, Moody
& Fikes to come and help our Business Office. He also has someone
interested in making us a loan. D. Willmann is working on a loan with
the USDA, but this takes time. He does expect a proposal from Heller
Financial tomorrow. Fleet Financial might also be interested in a loan
on a lease back of equipment.
It was decided that a cut in the physician payment of $50,000 and a 10%
decrease in salary of the employees, would help buy us time. D.
Hoerster, MD indicated that the physicians have agreed to take an
across the board cut of $50,000. They feel we cannot cut any more in
the hospital or it will affect patient care. Wade Hutto and Mr. Buttery
will join Ernie Parisi at a Department Manager Meeting tomorrow to
discuss with the employees the 10% cut in pay. They will be asking the
employees to invest back into the Hospital. This cut with the employees
and physicians will be limited to 60 days. The amount cut from the
physicians and the employees will not be repaid.
We have moved employees into the Business Office to file claims. More
employees are calling insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid to
determine the status of claims already filed and not paid.
Mike Center made motion to have Parrish Moody & Fikes come to
Llano and assist our Business Office. It was seconded by Dr.
Willoughby. Motion carries.
Mike Center made motion to decrease the physician guaranteed
payment by $50,000 for the next 60 days. It was seconded by Jerry
Farley. Motion carries.
IV. Mr. Buttery has talked to the Commissioners about taking over
the EMS. They cannot promise anything . Dr. Hoerster also stated the
County needs to make us whole in respect to the EMS or take it over.
The other Board members agreed. Mr. Buttery needs more discussions with
the Commissioners. There has been no action as of now.
Griff Thomas, MD made motion to formally request the County
Commissioners to make us whole or take the EMS Service back. It was
seconded by Mike Center. Motion carries."
[Publisher's Note: Notice no effort was made by any of these
illustrious officials to address the egregious waste and looting by
EMTs as repeatedly reported by this publication, i.e. employee "expense
reports"? T.C.]
Llano Bay Health Care 501C(3) Confidential Committee Minutes-November 17, 2000
III. "Mr. Buttery stated that receipts have improved and we have
money on the payment floor. The Physician meeting last night went well.
The Foundation has offered to match the Employee part of the 10%
totaling $50,000. They will give $25,000. If we went with the voluntary
employee cuts, it would only amount to $16,000. Therefore it was
decided that we would go with the mandatory 5% cut, which would total
$19,000. This 5% salary cut will apply to employees making over $8.00
per hour. No one will go below the $8.00 limit. This still leaves us
short $6,000. Dr. Hoerster wanted it to be made clear that this was for
a term of 60 days only. After that time, it would be voted on again.
Also this is not going to be repaid and that someone is considering the
future and looking at Tax District now. H. Buttery and Mike Oatman are
looking into this now.
Dr. Hoerster would like the physician part be paid back, in other
words, consider their part a loan. The Board Members hoped that we
could do this, but there can be no promises at this time. Now is not
the time to make a commitment. We are going to keep the clinics."
[Publisher's Note: Isn't raw greed of the physicians endearing? Think they'll ever get enough? T.C.]
III.Continued
"Wade Hutto made motion to accept the 5% mandatory cut in salary of
the employees for a temporary period of 60 days. No employee would go
below $8.00 an hour. It was seconded by David Willmann. Motion carries.
IV. The losses to the Hospital from operating the EMS Department
are very substantial. The Hospital cannot afford this. Mr. Buttery made
it plain to the Judge and the Commissioners that something has to be
done now. There was an indication that the County does not have the
surplus. One of the Commissioners indicated that the County is willing
to take back the EMS and that they want the $250,000 too. Mr. Buttery
made it clear that the EMS and the $250,000 are two different things.
Besides, the $250,000 does not make up for the loss for this year
alone. There will be more reported later.
David Willmann gave an update on the status of a loan for our System.
Fleet Financial was prepared to offer us 1.2 million dollars for the
equipment for the MF Project. They can shift to a Sale/Lease Back-5
years-rate of 6% approximately on our equipment. They will do their own
appraisal on the equipment. Heller Financial made a proposal which is
more expensive. This would be only for a fall back situation.
Mr. Buttery made mention that we need an Administrator. Wade Hutto
would like to be given the authority to form a Search Committee. He
feels it would be better if the committee were small. [Publisher's
Note: Makes it easier to control and manipulate, right, Wade? T.C.] Dr.
Thomas added that we should get TORCH involved. They are a very large
and professional company.
Dr. Willoughby made motion to grant Wade Hutto the authority to form a
Search Committee to find an Administrator for our Hospital. It was
seconded by David Willmann. Motion carries."
Llano County Hospital Authority Confidential Committee Minutes-December 13, 2000
VI. "Mr. Jerry Durr took this time to explain to the Board that he
has put the new lease with US Oncology into motion. During the
transition until January 1, 2001, all our patients will be temporarily
serviced out of Seton Highland Lakes. Our Oncology Nurse will also be
employed by them until such time that she will work directly for US
Oncology.
Mr. Durr then explained his First Impressions of the problems with
the LMHS. He will be trying to steady the boat until the permanent
replacement is found. In the meantime, Michael Choate will be
concentrating on the Business Office and the areas involving the
Accounts Receivable. Our lease agreements for the month are totaling
approximately $31,000 in monthly payments. When leasing, you are paying
hidden interest. One strategy is to turn these leases into a purchase.
Mr. Durr will get with David Willmann to discuss this option.
Michael Choate was introduced to the Board. He explained that the
Accounts Receivable is a huge asset, but could be very elusive. He must
determine how much value they really are. He is developing reasonable
answers as to what are the problems as he goes along. Right now we have
got to get the collections started. To create some positive cash flow.
We need to reduce our days of A/R down to 77 days. In other words we
need to systematically reduce AR by 5 days weekly. He reminded the
Board that it took time to build A/R up and it will take time to reduce
it. He needs to look at each Financial Class to determine where we need
to concentrate. We have several issues identified and the A/R Aging
Report should reflect if there is any progress on a weekly basis. Mr.
Durr asked for an extra meeting in January. This will give them a
chance to bring the Board up to date on what is happening and how we
are progressing. The meeting will be on January 11, 2001 at 6:00PM. The
Board agreed that the CEO has the authority to hire more personnel. Mr.
Durr will coordinate any changes with the Chairman.
Mr. Durr brought the Board up to date on the cash flow. How are we
going to deal with the cash requirements. We need Michael Choate to
really concentrate on the Accounts Receivable, from the beginning to
end. We need a fully automated system. We are trying to determine how
we interface with the other entities. The Board expressed their
support.
Dr. Hoerster asked if the Community Advisory Committee was still in
effect. There are still people in his group that feel that we should
continue to develop Plan B, especially if Plan A is not successful. Mr.
Buttery and his committee have tried to stay out of the way, unless
they can be of help. EMS is the only item that they are actively
working on. How can it be operated with less expense? Mr. Durr
commented that the Advisory Committee's initial efforts have been good.
If they could direct their attention to the EMS, it would be very
beneficial. He pointed out the cost of operating the EMS Service should
be shared by all of the community. Not only the sick, but the well
members of the community. EMS is a losing department and cannot remain
with us if we are to rectify this problem. The Hospital cannot afford
to subsidize EMS any longer. It is time to be more specific and a time
limit must be set to resolve this issue.
The Board decided to present the shortfall for the month of
December to be collected at the Commissioners' Court. The
Commissioners' Court has indicated that they will make the loss good."
[Publisher's Note: Notice, once again, none of these illustrious
officials made any effort to address the egregious waste and looting of
funds by EMTs as repeatedly exposed by this publication? Now, they
expect the taxpayers to absorb the loss. Bend over, dear readers, and
spread the cheeks. ... The shaft is about to come, -- without the
Vaseline. T.C.]
********************************
Cutbacks on Hospital staffing are apparently beginning to take a
toll on the quality of patient care. Two family members of an elderly
Alzheimer's patient have strongly asserted care of a loved one was
quite inadequate. -- So much so that serious consideration was given to
moving the patient prior to release.
This family was strongly urged to allow full publication of the story
and are considering the request. Sadly, fear of reprisal is currently a
stumbling block, since the patient may need to be readmitted in the
future. The citizenry, however, truly has the right to know the quality
of care at a publicly-owned facility.
While patient care is apparently deteriorating, looting by Hospital
staff via employee "expense reports" has been horrendous as previously
reported. More, regarding this issue, will be posted in the near future
after compilation, -- as well as an Open Records Request recently sent
seeking additional information and a clarification of an irregularity
in Board minutes.
As strongly asserted in Special Edition V65, the clock is indeed
ticking... The combined visitor count of The Llano Ledger and Llano
Ledger 2 stands in excess of 75,200, -- another excellent week and true
testament to the shameless willingness of the readership to "steal"
this writer's labor. Certainly, you ought to be proud of yourselves.
Nothing quite like "character", is there? Readers are reminded this
writer receives no renumeration from the banner and pop-up advertising.
They only pay for the website itself. There is no personal
compensation, nor are there desperately needed funds for investigative
expenses. Non-profit and outrageously unfunded by the readership it
serves due to greed, gut-wrenching fear, and the continuing relentless
intimidation of corrupt and abusive Llano County officials, this
publication as always remains beholden to NO ONE.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Thu Jun 14, 2001 5:03pm EDT