To the editor:

I find the poll question of the week irresponsible on the part of the Daily Mining Gazette.

The Houghton County Medical Care Facility issue is far too complicated to pose in such a simplistic question.

It was misleading to state the HCMCF has $20 million in reserves. While the HCMCF does have approximately $20 million in “savings”, half of that is for capital projects; obtained by diverting federal and state funds that would not necessarily be received on a regular basis.

A major renovation costing approximately $8 million is underway – in the engineering phase.

The other half is to meet the recommendation that the HCMCF have a reserve fund equal to half its operating expenses which is about $25 million.

The question posed in the poll, from the way it is worded, makes it appear the administration of the HCMCF is sitting on some pile of gold like the dragon “Smaug” from The Hobbit.

I can assure you both tales are myths.

Rick Kasprzak

Calumet