TO THE EDITOR:

As employees, residents and families of Green Acres Country Care Center (GACCC), we would like to voice our concerns regarding the recent vote that did not approve the development of the land currently known as the 80 acres that GACCC is built on.

While it is understandable that growth brings change, there are times when change is necessary. What seems to have been lost in the discussion during the latest city council meeting was the future of Green Acres and what happens to the residents currently residing at GACCC if the nursing home should close due to the result of this vote. Denying this development proposal will undoubtedly cause the nursing home to close.

The residing residents at Green Acres are the very people that helped to build the town of North Branch. They have contributed to the changes in North Branch over the years through their own financial support of consumer status resulting in the growth of schools, businesses, roadways, sewer, water projects and growth in general. These individuals may also be responsible for all of you being elected to office, but are now faced with being displaced if you continue to vote against the development of this land.

The current 75 residents and their families have been counting on the future of Green Acres. They too wish to live near their families, near the home where they grew up in, or who have permanent ties to this community. The development of this property will mean that GA will receive the additional finances needed to build the facility that is desperately needed.

Already the residents who live at GA have lost so much; their own homes, retirement funds, independence, spouses and friends. Building this new facility isnít about simply having a shiny new building, instead its about ìcaring for our neighbors.î Itís the responsibility of all of us to take care of the people who helped our community get to this stage of growth. They too had to be courageous when it came time to approve of new schools and banks and even coffee shops. The pride that is expressed by all of you who do not wish to change the ìhome townî feel of North Branch, need to embrace the challenge also of caring for the elderly. Certainly if the residents of Green Acres need to be relocated outside of North Branch you will be losing that sense of community and neighborhood that North Branch prides itself on.

If being on the city council means having the ability to influence change and affecting lives, you have the opportunity and responsibility to create ìhomeî for so many. In the past five years, the nursing home has helped hundreds of people through either permanent placement or through short-term rehab stays. Many residents were then able to return to independent living in this community. If you continue to vote against this proposal, you will see the end of this type of service in this area. Not only will 75+ people lose their home but a significant amount of people will also lose their income and employment opportunity. It is imperative that you consider all of the consequences of this vote. It is not just a matter of preventing growth of the community; this is about preserving community for our residents.

Thank you for your attention.

Residents, Families
and Staff of GACCC

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