Settler's Pointe debate heats up

Peter S.
Woodbury, MN     03/22/2010 11:49 PM

I agree with the sentiments shared by T.R. and both Jennifers. Wow, shame on the bigoted name calling by the others. My grandmother is living in the Stonecrest assisted living and memory care facility in Woodbury--which is a classic example of a good location for such a facility. I have no objection to another such facility for Woodbury--but agree that the proposed location in Stonemill Farms wouldn't be a good fit. This location was designed for retail/service, and should be held open for that purpose as the development grows.

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T R.
03/22/2010 7:33 PM

I think it's interesting that some people are so quick to judge us Stonemill residents, call us names and tell us that we ought to be ashamed of ourselves, but they don't even know all of the facts. So really, who is being close-minded, selfish, small minded, bigoted, pretentious, etc? If these judgmental people knew the whole story, and had actually seen the proposed space, they wouldn't even bother with these immature responses. Some people are easily entertained by picking fights online, I guess. As has been mentioned, these articles leave out crucial information and pictures of the proposed space. I personally wouldn't put my loved one in a facility that is surrounded by parking lots and a busy road with no green space in sight. These people need and deserve more beautiful surroundings and space to walk outside when weather permits. I've worked in this industry in the past, and the facilities I worked at were always on a plot of land with walking paths, a pond, trees, gardens, etc. Even if a resident doesn't have capabilities to freely walk outside to enjoy it, they can look out their window and enjoy a great view. Family members always appreciated the grounds so they could take their loved one outside for a stroll/roll and get some fresh air without having to drive. This proposed space is very ugly in that regard. Furthermore, residents DO "escape". Alzheimer's patients do get out undetected (they are locked in for their safety) and they wander...this is nothing new. In this space, they could easily wander into traffic. I won't get into the other issues that have conveniently been omitted from these articles (it's fun to sensationalize issues in the media - quoting residents who fear for their safety grabs the attention much more than the other concerns we neighbors are voicing!) Just wanted to give a shout-out to the peanut gallery and point out that their ignorance is showing.

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T R.
03/22/2010 7:29 PM

I think it's interesting that some people are so quick to judge us Stonemill residents, call us names and tell us that we ought to be ashamed of ourselves, but they don't even know all of the facts. So really, who is being close-minded, selfish, small minded, bigoted, pretentious, etc? If these judgmental people knew the whole story, and had actually seen the proposed space, they wouldn't even bother with these immature responses. Some people are easily entertained by picking fights online, I guess. As has been mentioned, these articles leave out crucial information and pictures of the proposed space. I personally wouldn't put my loved one in a facility that is surrounded by parking lots and a busy road with no green space in sight. These people need and deserve more beautiful surroundings and space to walk outside when weather permits. I've worked in this industry in the past, and the facilities I worked at were always on a plot of land with walking paths, a pond, trees, gardens, etc. Even if a resident doesn't have capabilities to freely walk outside to enjoy it, they can look out their window and enjoy a great view. Family members always appreciated the grounds so they could take their loved one outside for a stroll/roll and get some fresh air without having to drive. This proposed space is very ugly in that regard. Furthermore, residents DO "escape". Alzheimer's patients do get out undetected (they are locked in for their safety) and they wander...this is nothing new. In this space, they could easily wander into traffic. I won't get into the other issues that have conveniently been omitted from these articles (it's fun to sensationalize issues in the media - quoting residents who fear for their safety grabs the attention much more than the other concerns we neighbors are voicing!) Just wanted to give a shout-out to the peanut gallery and point out that their ignorance is showing.

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jennifer s.
03/20/2010 12:45 AM

My understanding of this place was explained as a special set of elderly who may have been kicked out of traditional nursing homes for any number of reasons including "sexual inappropriateness, biting, hitting or other violence". They provide a 5-1 ratio of care for these people to try and better control them. It does seem like an odd location for it based on the residents they intend to serve. I do agree if it were simply a regular assisted living it might be nice for the kids/elderly alike. It is the intended population that seems ill-fit for the neighborhood.

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Jennifer T.
Burnsville, MN     03/17/2010 10:28 PM

To be fair, as someone who inquired about property in Stonemill Farms, they DO sell that space to prospective buyers as small retail that would make errands easier and faster for residents. We were also told it would house something like a coffee shop, dry cleaner or deli/takeout space. I don't see a problem with changing the use of the property per se, but this is a HUGE change from what residents were told. I'm also concerned about the idea that this facility is for patients who are too difficult to care for elsewhere. If it was simply an "old folks home" I wouldn't have a problem with it at all, but the idea that this space would house patients who are of a risk...well, next to a school that doesn't seem like the proper place. Besides, everything is so crammed in there already. That's why we didn't move there. As my husband said, "I don't want to be able to shake my neighbor's hand from our bathroom". It seems too crowded an area to create a safe perimeter. There seems to be plenty of undeveloped land on the outer ring of Woodbury where it might be more appropriate, and more peaceful for the residents of the facility as well. Now, if they want a regular nursing home...why not? Multi-generational neighborhoods are great and Stonemill is a very young community.

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Kristi T.
03/16/2010 3:09 PM

Wow. This is a perfect example on why I told my husband I didn't want to move to Woodbury. I am just shaking my head with sadness. Do these residents in Stonemill not think they will be elderly one day? Or god forbid end up with Alzheimers or Dementia! The HORROR! The residents in that community should be ashamed of themselves. I am printing out this article and showing it to my husband. Even after 5 years of living in Woodbury I am still offended by these "closed minded, selfish, well-off idiots". Thanks for the quote Bob C.

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Jack M.
03/16/2010 8:33 AM

"Placing this type of unit between a day care facility and an elementary school doesn't make sense." Jeffrey, you say that, but cannot demonstrate it, so it's really just blowing smoke over nothing.

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Scott H.
Woodbury, MN     03/15/2010 3:15 PM

Doesn't Ms.Laurie La Cavera realize that the fumes and chemicals from a dry cleaner are far more dangerous than some old guy swinging his walking cane around?? This totally gives Woodbury a bad name. I'd much prefer the assisted living residents to some of the pretentious white bread suburb dwellers that rule Woodbury.

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Jeffrey B.
03/15/2010 10:15 AM

I would react the same way to the article if it was entirely accurate. However, what is omitted is the full description of the facility. From Ecumen, the operator of the proposed site, this "Enhanced Memory Care Facility will be one of the few assisted living communities in the Twin Cities to address the special needs of individuals whose behavioral health issues can't be managed within traditional assisted living or memory care facilities." The client's behaviors are too inappropriate or violent to allow them to stay in a traditional assisted living facility. Placing this type of unit between a day care facility and an elementary school doesn't make sense. Senior housing for clients with "substantial behavioral shifts" would be better provided within a larger senior living campus setting, thus providing continuity of care.

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Michelle W.
03/12/2010 2:44 PM

Shame on Stonemill, what a ugly group of bigoted, small minded, selfish people. Who DO you think you are?

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