Submitted by Michael Forte, Resident of Nathaniel Witherell
I am a resident of Nathaniel Witherell and have lived here for 11 years. Prior to that, my mother lived here for 14 years. We are life-long residents of Greenwich.
Regarding the Town transferring management to an outside agency, I would like to express my concerns and real fears on behalf of my fellow residents. This is our home and it is our last home – we face that reality. Here the staff are like family to us – for many here, they are all we have. These employees and volunteers are dedicated, caring and outstanding! Changing to an outside company feels like the Town is just trying to dump us – a pain in their spreadsheets. This move is cold and calculating that impacts us as human beings. We may not pay town taxes any more, but we have had a life in Greenwich prior to a nursing home. Many of our families continue to live here.
Changing to a new operating company will change our culture, procedures and way of life. This will be a jolt to our aging residents and their families. As one person said, “Hold on to your bed rails, it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.
Why not care about the aging here? What’s so wrong about that? I hear the Town has beautiful granite curbing now. Are the priorities now to pump up real estate values? I honor what the Town has done for parks, recreation, Greenwich Ave, etc. Please pause and listen to your seniors who still live here. They need you. No matter what the Town does in this operation, it will always be called “Nathaniel Witherell” – you cannot escape a name that has been here for over 100 years caring for its citizens.
Sincerely,
Michael Forte, Resident of Nathaniel Witherell