The Observation Deck

Just a little something past on to me.

For some reason the political leadership and much of the local media is signed on to the destruction of Lakewood Hospital.

I just don't get it.

I hope he doesn't cave in.

I think you need to look at who stands to benefit from this. Who is so interested in "development" and who will stand to make a bundle if that land becomes available. I see some prominent suspects.

I've also heard rumblings of organized efforts to get something on the ballot and/or lawsuits - Issue 47 type efforts. I think it's going to get VERY interesting.

State Senator Michael J. Skindell may be our only hope for real political leadership on this issue.

Senator Skindell is nobody's fool.

Bill Call wrote:Just a little something past on to me.

For some reason the political leadership and much of the local media is signed on to the destruction of Lakewood Hospital.

I just don't get it.

Bill

Everyone I have spoken to think State Senator Michael Skindell really put his ass on the line
and went the extra mile for the citizens.

I have only spoken to a couple that have felt otherwise.

Of course I do not speak with the media as much as you, so I have no idea what they
are thinking, but absolutely no one has said "Skindell is in trouble, or getting yelled at."

Again, I do not have the inside tract like you have.

What I would ask you Bill, is how do you think this deal should be put back together to give
us a hospital or the services you think we should have?

From everything I have seen, is the numbers are damn good numbers. My two biggest
issues are how did the deal get screwed up, and why when we are selling Lakewood Assets
does the cit get less than 2% of the sale? I mean a pimp would give us 50%, I think.

Serious moment, what can be done? I have looked at the infamous Metro proposal and
found it to be exactly what I was told. Metro is in no position to take on Lakewood Hospital.
Do they want to, sure, but they cannot at this time. MAYBE is 3-5 years.

The offer from 10 Premier Physician doctors was more realistic, but no where near what
is being put together with the Clinic.

ONE MORE TIME, I am upset about every part of how this was handled and why. I am livid
over the plans I have seen and heard.

BUT

Given where we are at right now, what does Lakewood do?

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Everyone I have spoken to think State Senator Michael Skindell really put his ass on the line and went the extra mile for the citizens.

....................

What I would ask you Bill, is how do you think this deal should be put back together to give
us a hospital or the services you think we should have?

So far all the Senator has done is stand in front of the cameras and say it's a terrible thing.

The City should say no to this bad deal.

The proposed family health center is a glorified minute clinic designed to fail.


The so called millions of dollars are mostly smoke and mirrors. To the extent the money is real money it will be given to as yet to be named non profit that will be controlled by the Cleveland Clinic. The new non profit will spend the money as it sees fit in Lakewood and "nearby areas" whatever that means.

One report listed dog parks and walking paths as a good use of those dollars. I'm not aware of any economic study anywhere that says the key to economic growth and access to health care is a new dog park.

Lakewood needs a facility at least as large and well staffed as what is being built in Avon. Anything less is unacceptable.

Why is the political leadership in this town so eager to destroy health care in Lakewood?
What's in it for them?

Bill Call wrote:[

So far all the Senator has done is stand in front of the cameras and say it's a terrible thing.

The City should say no to this bad deal.

Lakewood needs a facility at least as large and well staffed as what is being built in Avon. Anything less is unacceptable.

Why is the political leadership in this town so eager to destroy health care in Lakewood?
What's in it for them?

Bill

You ask a hundred questions a day, so let's try an answer some from what I know.

The State Senator said he felt Council and the Board did not handle their fiduciary
responsibilities to the residents of Lakewood. He did not say it's a terrible thing.

The City should say no. OK, based on what?

Why do you think we need a place as big as Avon? What evidence do you have that
Lakewood needs to dedicate 8 city blocks to a hospital, when there are 4 hospitals larger
within 10 minutes. How do you know we need that?

What is in it for leadership, well I imagine like many of their deals, it will benefit them
and their friends, some will do it for the good of the city others will make a couple
thousand, they will give each other awards and go on to the next thing, as they have
done for over 2 decades.

Bill, the whole thing sucks, but...


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Any word from the Senator?