The Observation Deck

Do our City leaders want to keep the biggest employer in Lakewood?

Keeping the hospital will mean keeping good jobs and other businesses in Lakewood.

A hospital will keep more doctors in Lakewood that CCF's FHC with doctor trainees.

A hospital will support home values--loss of it means property values will fall.

If the Mayor is not interested in responding to a proposal that would preserve the Hospital, expand health care choice's in Lakewood, preserve 1,000 + jobs and bring new development to Lakewood then just what is he interested in?

Interesting that they CC'd DeWine.

Dan Alaimo wrote:Interesting that they CC'd DeWine.

I think that the Atty. General has an interest in a public charity like LHA:

1. Fulfilling its mission set forth in its charter filed in Columbus and per its Lease with the City, i.e. to operate a HOSPITAL for the citizens of Lakewood, including those who are unable to pay.
2. Obtaining the highest and best price for charitable assets.

CCF, LHA, Summers and a majority of City Council don't seem to care about the mission of LHA or taking care of people.

I thought that Lakewood was a community that cared about neighbors?

You can read more about this group at: http://surgicaldevelopmentpartners.com/

Brian,
This sounds very promising and confirms what we've thought about the potential for a hospital in Lakewood.
Do your sources know if Surgical Development Partners has been in touch with any hospital or physicians organizations for the Lakewood Hospital property?
If they ever got an audience with the city/LHA, that will be one of the first things they'll be asked.

I think that rather than meeting to consider how to respond to the offer the Mayor and his allies are meeting to consider how best not to respond.

Dan Alaimo wrote:Brian,
Do your sources know if Surgical Development Partners has been in touch with any hospital or physicians organizations for the Lakewood Hospital property?

It is my understanding that they have the financing and they have the physicians.

From their website:

"Surgical Development Partners has the industry specific experience and knowledge to tackle the complexities of opening and managing physician owned acute care hospitals in difficult political environments."

http://surgicaldevelopmentpartners.com/acute.html

These guys have done this before. Its what they do.

"Surgical Development Partners has the industry specific experience and knowledge to tackle the complexities of opening and managing physician owned acute care hospitals in difficult political environments."

You can say that again! The fact that SDP even mentions "difficult political environments" is a very telling and positive development.

I still believe the people who live Lakewood care deeply about their neighbors and vitality of their city, it's just that the leaders they've elected obviously DON'T.

Summers needs to allow an open process for all interested parties to present offers. I have been hearing that Mercy Health Systems is also interested. If he passes on these two presentations/offers, I believe we can confirm the rumors that there must be a dirty little scam going on with CCF, LHF, LHA, and others .

http://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard ... ssociation

According to Eric Sandy at the Scene, the mayor claims that SDP are NOT interested in the hospital. Of course, comments at other sites are all over that statement from the mayor and point to it as proof that "no one is interested."

Yet the current letter from SDP clearly states

We firmly believe that we present a solid option for development of the Lakewood Hospital campus

The November letter seems to address that assertion by the mayor that they are not interested with a clear and formal statement of interest.

How is it that the mayor and council can autonomously decide to exclude other interested parties without consideration of their offers?

Is this not exactly what the FTC would be interested in examining? It is a clear constraint of competition.

In my opinion, it appears that Summers can do what ever he damn well pleases. In most other places in the country, this hospital ordeal would be all over the news. I believe Summers and the clinic have made some kind of deal with all the media in the Cleveland area to keep it out of the news. I know that CCF dumps a lot of money into Fox 8. As far as Summers is concerned: they could build monuments to his self centeredness!

Two things:
1.
Brian says: "It is my understanding that they have the financing and they have the physicians."
If he has that information from sources other than the letter and the website, that is good news. The letter and the website offer no such specifics (or even generalities), although it would appear they would be more than capable of making such alliances in "difficult political environments."

2.
The Mayor says Surgical Development Partners has no interest in the existing hospital. That seems clear enough. They say they are interested in developing the "Lakewood Hospital campus", and their website shows a track record of building smaller hospitals of about the size that most agree would be suitable for Lakewood. They are developers, but rather than condos or upscale shopping, they develop hospitals, which is good for us.

How cool would it be if Surgical Development Partners included a Pants Store as a part of the Hospital Campus?

Dan

Your point 2 clarifies my post a bit. Maybe they are not interested in running the hospital as is, but they certainly are interested in the location. Since what they do is run HOSPITALS and health care facilities, the plan they intend to present is likely to compete directly with the Clinic proposal. So, if we can get more services, why wouldn't we look at their offer?

I just find it so odd. If an individual had their home for sale, would you only deal with the very first bidder? Wouldn't you let anyone and everyone who has an interest make an offer?

How can we possibly know we are getting "the best and highest use of the land" without even considering other ideas and offers?