Mikel's Thoughts by Mike Virdell

Maybe, and only maybe, someone reading this column in Burnet County is wondering where the numbers have been coming from in regards to the feasibility of a new hospital in Marble Falls. While the crack is tiny, at least someone is paying attention.

Same cannot be said for the decision makers in Llano. Their own feasibility study, like any study paid to order, tells Llano higher ups that a new hospital is needed, and go east.

When Llano approached Seton about partnering up on a hospital, Seton listened, and walked away. The proposal was not likely “feasible”. Just like the proposal to take Llano assets and Llano employees and move them for only one real reason, and that is to make more money? Oh, I forgot, Llano is a 501-C-3…a non-profit hospital. When Seton closes its doors in Burnet, and opens again in Cedar Park, Llano and Marble Falls can pick up the $4 million in indigent care that gets written off each year from Seton. I bet that number is not in the feasibility report.

Llano needs a hospital and a hospital board that cares about one thing. Making Llano Memorial the best hospital that it can be. One Llano Board member has stressed that notion for three years. But Chairman Adams and his followers want their names in granite. Can only get that with a new facility. The heck with the numbers working.

Try making payments on a $50 million dollar facility. And I’ll bet one thing. That no name of anyone we know will be putting their name on the line for this loan.
Again, we wish our wonderful neighbors to the East the very best. Many in Llano County have wonderful friends and family in Burnet County. But, if it really is feasible, do as Llano County did in 1959. Build it yourself. And take Mr. Adams with you.

Again, Llano needs a Board that has one objective. Maintaining and administrating the best hospital that Llano County can afford. Any board member now without that one objective should resign, and by last head count, 6 need to go.

Again, this is about leadership, or the lack thereof. The County Judge and the Commissioners could end this talk this week. Replace the directors at Llano Memorial.

And as we speak…can you believe not word from the Llano Chamber of Commerce? The largest business in Llano could be leaving, and not a single word. But, as forever self -serving Chamber Board member Morrison Smith has stated, “we don’t get involved in political issues”.

Privatizing Llano Schools sounds awful good to me, but a fly or two has fallen into the punch bowl. Number one…Llano School lands and its income can only be used for the purpose of: Public Schools!

Number two: Llano County would have to vote for a new taxing district for education.

While many of you called or came by to talk about the privatization of our schools, the end result again will be that we will take the crumbs off the floor that the Texas Legislature leaves for us. One very wise man here in town and approached me with this question. What is your real objective in writing about this subject? I gave him a rude remark as he would have expected…but time gave me a chance to answer that one for myself, with the help of another wise friend.

My biggest frustration: So little local control. State mandates have killed good school districts. Destroyed beyond recognition poor school districts. Second biggest frustration: Property taxes. And more, property taxes that do not stay in LISD. 40% go to the Robin Hood Plan. With Llano County property taxes, we could have a public school system better than any in the State. Yet we have teachers in Llano that must purchase their own classroom supplies, and coaches that pay their meal expenses in traveling out of town. With the system set up now, the replacement of school buses may require new bonds.
I have come across one tiny crumb that could help. The $200,000 or so that we will receive off of the Tom Greene County school lands of Llano cannot be used for anything other than capital improvements…. I am going to write our representative Harvey Hildebran to see if a small amendment could be added to the legislation now being drawn up in Austin that could allow those monies to go into the general operating account for LISD? Its’ small. But maybe we could purchase a school bus, or give back to the teachers an allowance for supplies. Maybe?

OK…my smart remark was “what do you really want Virdell”? Well…”Have we ever thought seriously about a covered football field? Seriously?”

Write Harvey Hildebran at:
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910