Month: December 2020

TREES FOREVER SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kiley Miller to move into new role in early 2021

MARION, IA (December 16, 2020) – Trees Forever today announced that its board of directors has appointed Kiley A. Miller as Executive Director.

Mr. Miller will be responsible for leading the organization at a critical time, as communities and farms across Iowa and Illinois recover from August’s devastating derecho damage.

Trees Forever founder Shannon Ramsay will remain with the Iowa-based non-profit to focus on “Planting Hope,” a campaign to raise funds for hard-hit communities and farms, and to guide the Cedar Rapids Releaf plan to replant.

Mr. Miller has served as the President and CEO of Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation in Spencer since 2014. His background in community building, strategic planning and communications is well-aligned for this unique role.

“Trees Forever is a collaborative organization,” said Miller. “Fulfillment of the mission depends upon partnerships with benefactors, governments, businesses, and volunteers. I like to think that fits pretty well with my own talent for building teams.”

“We are so fortunate to have someone of Kiley’s caliber and experience to lead Trees Forever during this critical time,” said Ms. Ramsay. “Trees are front and center at home and globally as we seek to restore environmental balance. There are many opportunities to create a greener future.”

The Trees Forever board selected Miller after an extensive and rigorous search led by The Overture Group. According to Dave Blankenship, chair of the board, “Kiley Miller has all the attributes and skills we were seeking. I believe he can lead Trees Forever into the future with strength and vision combined with pragmatic action.”

“What I look forward to the most is the first tree planting this spring, with scores of volunteers, shovels in hand, working together to build a better community and world,” said Miller.

Trees Forever was founded by Ms. Ramsay in 1989 to create a grassroots group of citizen volunteers determined to make a hands-on difference in local neighborhoods, on farms and in communities. Her vision has grown into a reality across Iowa, Illinois and nationally, where Trees Forever ensures our world is a greener, healthier, more vibrant place for our children and grandchildren. Ms. Ramsay will remain the Founding President and a Trustee on the Trees Forever Foundation.

Trees Forever is a nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Marion, Iowa. Its mission – to plant and care for trees and the environment by empowering people, building community, and promoting stewardship – is fulfilled through cutting-edge programs and innovative practices. Trained and experienced staff have assisted community leaders and landowners across Iowa, Illinois and beyond with thousands of planting projects. Each year, on average, Trees Forever works with and engages more than 7,000 volunteers who give generously of their time and talents. To date, they’ve helped plant more than 3 million trees.

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved an expanded lease agreement with Great River Health (GRH). HCHC has worked under a management agreement with GRH for more than 10 years, a partnership that has resulted in the high-quality healthcare provided to Henry County residents today. The agreement is designed to ensure residents of Henry County can receive the same level of healthcare for the foreseeable future – including continued relationships with primary care providers and access to critical care needs.

The decision was made by the HCHC Board from a position of strength. However, as the healthcare industry continues to experience rapid changes, it is important that HCHC more formally join forces with a trusted partner with a proven track record of strengthening local healthcare. GRH has demonstrated many times over the years that it values and puts local residents first. Together with GRH, HCHC will shape Henry County’s future, enhancing services and providing long-term stability for healthcare needs, including our continued ability to provide critical emergency medical services to the residents of Henry County.

The lease agreement will ultimately be decided by a special proposition vote by Henry County residents in March 2021. HCHC and GRH are committed to helping residents understand the many benefits that will come from this lease agreement, and will engage with the community more as the vote approaches.

During the regular monthly meeting held today (Tuesday) the Henry County Health Center Board of Trustees passed a resolution for an operational lease with Great River Health System.  The lease will go before the citizens of Henry County in a special election to be held in March of this year.

At the November monthly meeting the Trustees passed a memorandum of understanding in order to explore moving forward with the possibility of a lease. Great River Health Systems would lease HCHC assets and employees in order to operate the local hospital.  HCHC lawyers emphasized this is not the sale of HCHC but rather a unique public/private partnership.  The current HCHC board would remain and will over see the lease.  The HCHC board would also continue to levy taxes in order to maintain and/or replace the assets. And would collect rent from Great River for use of the assets.  The employees would remain with HCHC in order to keep their benefits and the HCHC Foundation Funds would be retained by the Foundation.

Emergency Management Services remains with HCHC but Great River has committed to subsidizing any shortfall for the first five years to help stabilize and maintain the services.

HCHC Board President Kent Severson said during the discussion he is “very, very excited” about this agreement.  He also noted it is far better to do this now when HCHC is in a position of strength rather than go it alone.  HCHC has already been part of a long-time management partnership with Great River.  The lawyers said this will financially sustain the hospital for the long term and is a long term solution to the stability of healthcare in the county.

On December 4^th, 2020, at approximately 9:50 a.m. the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary to a business in the 200-Block S Main Street in Salem.  An investigation determined the business was entered through a window.  Items were reported damaged and stolen from inside.  The investigation determined three individuals were involved. Daniel Rice, 18 of Mount Pleasant, and two juveniles have been identified and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, and Theft in the Fifth Degree.  The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfield Police Department assisted in the investigation.

***A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.****