The McHenry County Board is due to discuss how much control it shall give to an quasi-independent board that will run the county nursing home, named Valley Hi.

In August I offered two “quality of care” ideas that I got from State Rep. Webber Borchers.

County Board member John Hammerand made some patient protection suggestions that I printed. I don’t see any that made it into the draft being considered.

I decided to read the governing document that county board members are being asked to approve to discover if there will be adequate complaint and appeal mechanisms.

When I got about 55% through, I found something that I must say strikes me as close to unbelievable.

The county board is being asked to set up what is pretty much a self-perpetuating governing entity.

Valley Hi, the McHenry County Nursing Home, is seen from the northwest on a sunny winter day.

If someone leaves the board because of the two-term limitation or resigns, where will the pool of replacements come from?

The Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three (3) persons appointed by the Chairperson of the Operating Board. This Committee shall have the responsibility of maintaining a roster of qualified persons for recommendation to the McHenry County Board to serve as Directors. In the absence of a Nominating Committee, the Operating Board shall have the responsibility of maintaining a roster of qualified persons for recommendation to the McHenry County Board to serve as Directors. (Section Two under “Committees.”)

When I read that, I concluded that no one who wanted to rock the boat of the majority need apply.  (Organizational Theory was my favorite course during my Public Administration grad school at the University of Michigan.)

Their name would obviously not make it to the county board for possible appointment.

Well, I’ve been through the entire piece and find no where an avenue whereby a patient or concerned relative or friend could complain to a McHenry County Board member and have it mean anything.