Ken Haber Admits that Summers/LHA Trustees Gave Up In 2012

[Brian Essi]

At Monday's Meeting of the Whole, LHA Trustee Ken Haber said that in 2012 LHA (Summers, Madigan & Bullock) asked the Clinic for an estimate of needed upgrades to the hospital to make it viable. He said the number the Clinic gave was $90 million. Haber said that LHA asked "what does this guarantee us?" He said LHA considered "other better uses for that money."

So it is clear that Summers, Madigan, Bullock and LHA (based upon CCF information) gave up on their responsibilities to run a hospital in 2012---at the same time CCF was proceeding to "Decant" the hospital into Fairview.

[Corey Rossen]

At Monday's Meeting of the Whole, LHA Trustee Ken Haber said that in 2012 LHA (Summers, Madigan & Bullock) asked the Clinic for an estimate of needed upgrades to the hospital to make it viable. He said the number the Clinic gave was $90 million. Haber said that LHA asked "what does this guarantee us?" He said LHA considered "other better uses for that money."

So it is clear that Summers, Madigan, Bullock and LHA (based upon CCF information) gave up on their responsibilities to run a hospital in 2012---at the same time CCF was proceeding to "Decant" the hospital into Fairview.

Tumbleweeds...when Ken Haber's name is mentioned.

Glad it is not just my posts.

Corey

[Brian Essi]

At about the same time Ken Haber says that LHA/Summers were considering better uses for the money---Summers was talking with the School Board about a rec center and a tax increase. So Summers knew then that there would not be enough money to build the DREAM.

Get ready folks---If Summers has his way---tax increases will follow.

Ironically, the Hospital was and is virtually debt free at a time when borrowing was and has never been so cheap--and the Hospital has a 100 year track record of paying taxes (and since 1996 rent) to the City. It not only pays payroll taxes and rent, it takes care of the poor. The only conclusion to be drawn is that Summers doesn't care about "those people" (his words--I'll take him at his words on that issue.)

And people think Summers is a good businessman and manager??

Ridiculous and Laughable! But also dead serious and tragic for Lakewood!

[cameron karslake]

Ken certainly had a defeated look about him the other night, like he was ashamed. All the members should be ashamed of their lack stewardship of which they were trusted.

Isn't it so ironic that the hospital is in such fine shape financially, with absolutely NO DEBT. Ken announced that the final $1 million in debt was just paid off recently. With money SO cheap these days, what held the LHA back from doing any investments/maintenance on the hospital FOR YEARS? (Bear in mind, money has been cheap since 2008's crash)

Of course the answer is, our hospital's manager, the Clinic, that held the LHA back. And for some reason, they agreed to do nothing.

[Brian Essi]

They should all be embarrassed--every one of them. They have failed at every level.

Some are unabashed--like CCF/LHA trustees Bill Gorton and Tom Gable siting in the back row. Gable (already a defendant in the lawsuit) hid like a coward even though called upon.
Gorton defiantly scoffed and laughed at Councilmembers questions--like a child. Haber has the character to step up when called upon.

They use "LOST VOLUME" as an excuse---But Summers, LHA and CCF all caused it by their concerted actions and inactions--to achieve the same goal--example, the announced closing and termination of the cardio program.

Ironically, they have failed to achieve their end goals....and I don't believe they will...so far they have only succeeded in being exposed and named defendants in a lawsuit.

[Marguerite Harkness]

The very fact that we are even HAVING this discussion, these 8 months, is a Very. Gross. Public. Admission. of the Colossal. Failure. on the part of the LHA Board to Supervise Its Tenant.

They all should be ashamed and embarrassed to stand up in front of us and tell us the hospital is losing money. INDEED.

They all have to be replaced with competent professionals.