Letter: Regional Wellness Center is for people like me

I disagree with Mr. Engleberth about the Regional Wellness Center. I think the Dubois County Council should partner with the City, Memorial Hospital, the YMCA, and the Indiana National Guard to build it. Most importantly, they should partner with us, the citizens of Dubois County.

In November of 2022, the Dubois County Council and the Commissioners hosted a presentation and discussion of the report on Indiana’s poor health and wellness. Prior to this, in October 2019 and 2020, Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center was recognized by the Wellness Council of Indiana. The recognition was for creating workplace wellness that positively affects the health policies and the well-being of each employee.

OFS also implemented a wellness program in its corporate office. Their efforts earned them a platinum designation in 2021.

It’s obvious that health and wellness is important. Wellness includes your mental health just as much as your physical well-being. That’s why I think this project is worth it. If you don’t care about yourself, at least think about others who don’t have wellness programs at work.

Mr. Engleberth’s main argument against this project is that Jasper has too many school gyms. I’m sorry, but that has no bearing on this tax or the Wellness Center. 

I’m 55 years old; a school gym has no effect on my quality of life. But this Wellness Center can change it for the better. 

Quality of life is the standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual. 

When your quality of life is good, it’s easy to say something isn’t needed. But I guarantee you, it’s needed more than you know.

If the Center is built, I hope that there are areas in the building that are Senior-friendly.

Rosemary Kreilein, Jasper