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Make a good and faithful decision It's time for action. The time for indecisive and deliberate avoidance of the hospital regeneration issue has passed. There has been plenty of time for research and any postponement of a decision by the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners would indicate of a lack of progressive leadership in that body and would suggest that those elected to serve and represent us have little or no faith in the county, its institutions, and its people. An open letter to the commissioners printed in this issue also calls for a decision. The Wills Memorial Hospital Authority needs a decision one way or the other so that it can go forward with its plan to grow and provide more and better quality health care for the people here. With the county's endorsement, the financing will be streamlined and the project can begin almost immediately. Without it, the project will be somewhat delayed and therefore cost more. The commissioners seem afraid to speak out on this issue because of their fear of raising the millage rate. Some say they are just looking out for the taxpayers' money. While they do an exceptional job of looking out for the taypayers' money year-in and year-out, in this case, that statement is nothing more than a politician's excuse to do nothing and hope the problem goes away. Commissioners and others who would oppose the endorsement say the taxpayers can't afford $1.17 million a year for the hospital. They won't have to. The truth of the matter is that the county would be obligated only if the hospital cannot make its payment and then only for that portion not covered. (The $1.17 million figure is the maximum risk if the hospital shuts down completely. Under the newest financial plan proposed by the Authority, for the first eight years of the debt service there would actually be a negative risk to the county. In other words, the pass-through expenses repaid by Medicare would actually be more than the required payment.) Members of the Authority are con- fident in the hospital's ability to undertake the regeneration project and remain profitable. They are not asking for the county's endorsement because they need the money, they are asking because it would speed the project and thereby help avoid the possibility of a plumbing or structural catastrophe. The letter calls for a decision one way or the other but that's simply not good enough. The decision must be to take a bold stand of faith and support in and for all the citizens of Wilkes County. The commissioners must abandon all attitudes of destructive caution. They must show that they believe in their people and they must determine that growth is a priority, not just where the hospital is concerned, but for all of the county. Wilkes County is hungry for leadership. There are plenty of ways that hunger can be fed through progressive action toward growth. The best way right now is for the commissioners to say, "Yes, we believe in our hospital and we are committed to helping it provide the services and health care our people need. Our endorsement of this bond issue is a show of confidence not only in the hospital but in the future of Wilkes County." Remember the parable of the three men entrusted with talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) and how two invested (took a little risk) and grew and were called "good and faithful servants." The third was afraid to use his and did nothing. He was called a "wicked and slothful servant" and all that he had was taken and given to others. It's time to discard the fear, stop hiding from the issue, and take some good and faithful action toward ensuring the growth of our hospital.
(The next regular meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners is on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the Wilkes County courthouse. If you want to see what they do with this issue, please attend and make your voice heard.)
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