Surely there is no general abating of breath as we anticipate the public release this evening of specific offers to buy and continue operating the county-owned money-losing nursing home in Dunkirk.
But the issue is important and we echo County Executive Gregory Edwards who, speaking to everyone but no doubt aiming particularly at legislators, said, ''I encourage everyone to follow along with the facts of the offers and the quality of the proposals.''
As you have read, part of the reason the County Home loses millions of dollars a year is that county government is restricted from offering some specific types of less expensive care that other, non-government agencies can offer - such as assisted living instead of full-blown and more expensive nursing home care.
Lutheran Social Services and Heritage Ministries, for example, offer a range of options and services at their various locations depending on each individual's needs. Those who need care but are not yet at a point of having to be in a nursing home have those options in the southern part of the county thanks to LSS and Heritage.
And, yes, lucrative benefits for government employees at the County Home are part of the problem too.
The legislature will see the details tonight of the offers to buy the home - which must include a commitment to keep the home open and to give existing staff members the first shot at the jobs there.
Although the logic of selling the home is unassailable, the county employee union is fighting the idea with all its might. It makes the decision difficult for legislators from the north county in general, and in particular for south county legislators who want to curry favor with the unions.
But, again, Edwards is right.
''I am confident that a full and fair analysis of these offers is the best opportunity we have to keeping the essential services while avoiding multi-million dollar tax liabilities in the years ahead,'' Edwards said.
The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the legislative chambers in Mayville. The meeting is open to the public.