The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2010

J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 Seeing Both Sides I was thrilled to read Chas Free- man’s article on the Middle East (“The Middle East: Forks in the Way For- ward,” March FSJ ). During 35 years in the Foreign Service, I served in five Arabic-speaking countries. When I re- turned to the United States, I was ap- palled at the slanted reporting that is done on that area. I realize that we have a special relationship with Israel, but that should not keep us from see- ing both sides of the issue more clearly. Judy Chidester FSO, retired Las Cruces, N.M. Check the Balance Sheet In his February article on senior liv- ing (“ShouldWe Move to a Senior Liv- ing Facility?”), Ambassador Bill Har- rop suggests a useful list of factors to check before selecting a retirement community. I’d like to add a vital one: financial stability of the care facility. Falling ill and questioning my abil- ity to cope alone, I reluctantly entered the only continuing care facility in my small Southwestern town a few years ago. After I regained my health 15 months later, I began to doubt the company’s finances. I asked for a fi- nancial statement and got a “compila- tion” the accountant had put together. However, this was based on partial in- formation selected by the manage- ment, which had not been independ- ently audited. It therefore was not re- liable. Later, I learned that the company had successfully lobbied the state legis- lature a few years earlier to exempt CCFs from having to produce inde- pendently audited financial statements. In October 2008 the company started to admit the truth to residents. In March 2009 it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Five months later the fed- eral bankruptcy judge, citing malfea- sance, deception, incompetence and dishonesty, ousted the management. Outside managers took over and are trying to sell the establishment. We now know the CCF was the equivalent of a Ponzi scheme. En- trance fees largely vanished rather than being invested for the future. The owners had kept the place afloat with monthly fees and borrowing. Many residents, in their 80s or 90s, are in poor health. They wait, hoping for better news. My story is happier: I got married and packed out, though I did forfeit my investment. I strongly recommend that retirees insist on recent, independently audited financial statements from a CCF and have a certified public accountant an- alyze them. They should also contact state agencies that monitor such facili- ties to check for complaints, especially on finances and health. ■ George T. Eaton USAID FSO, retired Nanterre, France L ETTERS Dear Readers: In order to produce a high- quality product, the FSJ depends on the revenue it earns from advertising. You can help with this. Please let us know the names of companies that have provided good service to you — a hotel, insurance company, auto dealership, or other concern. A referral from our readers is the best entrée! Ed Miltenberger Advertising & Circulation Manager Tel: (202) 944-5507 E-mail: miltenberger@afsa.org You Are Our Eyes & Ears! Send Letters to the Editor to journal@afsa.org.