I was just thinking late last night, which is dangerous and tends to get me in trouble.
Most people agree we need a new hospital. The only question is where. Feelings are strong on both sides, and even in the middle.
The location is an emotional issue.
I think it was Margolius, (might have been Kuhn) that told the hospital board that they may have convinced the commission with facts, but they are going to have to convince the community's emotions.
A lot of this project has to do with VISION. The location is their vision for the project. It is part of a larger vision for a regional medical center. They are thinking bigger than just a small town medical facility. Winfield opted for that small town medical facility. Thats not what this group wants.
I was also thinking about my vision for the music festival. Its down there near the levee by the bridge. MANY people have asked me why it is there. Many have asked about other locations. They have suggested other locations that they think would be better ... curry field, wilson park, walnut park, the brown center, and even that little park across Summit from the current location.
All would be fine locations.. All would work, and some would even work better probably from a logistics standpoint, but the other locations take away from the "Vision."
My vision is not just for a small little concert, even though that is what it is now.
My ultimate vision is for it to be a large music festival. Something along the lines of the Walnut Valley Festival, though I know it wont get to even half that level in my lifetime.
BUT we have a start. And I hope to make it grow. IF we outgrow that field in my lifetime, Ill be a happy camper. :)
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JJ- Is it possible to get the hospital's presentation in PDF or as a link on the the Traveler Website? It may not be possible for people to get to a meeting or they might want to read through the presentation prior to a meeting so they can prepare questions.
I personally would love to read through the studies they did that determined this was the best location. I would think the hospital would want as much factual information out there instead of assumptions.
I personally would love to read through the studies they did that determined this was the best location. I
Ill look into it and see what i can do.
Just for fun I looked up the Weatherford hospital since that is what the model for our new hospital was based.
It is exactly 1.7 miles from the start of their business district (i.e., our Madison and Summit) to the hospital). It would be 5 miles from Madison and Summit to our new hospital.
It also looks to be within the city limits and surround by housing and businesses. You can see the aerial view on Google maps.
Considering, they are 70 miles from the closest major metro area (Oklahoma City), have a 4 year university, a larger population and have actually had population growth since 2000, I would imagine they were concerned about growth and expansion but somehow how still managed to put it within city limits or at the very least close to actual housing and people.
Verna Davis' letter to the editor was spot on. This is more than just about having a new hospital it is about controlling blight, limiting needless sprawl and providing efficient, accessible services for the citizens of Arkansas City.
I am absolutely 100% for a sales tax to fund a new hospital whether it be remodeling/expansion of the existing building (my preference) or building a brand new one, however, I am not in favor of locating it outside of the city limits.
The hospital's marketing team, I am sure can give a 100 reasons why it is necessary for the their given plan or vision but that is not necessarily the absolute and only plan or vision.
Instead of relying on "facts" and "information" from letters to the editor, wouldn't it make more sense to get the real story from the hospital?
Right or wrong I am going to ignore the opinions and wait for the facts. When is the first hospital meeting, and will we be allowed to ask questions? That is the most important thing to me. I want to know the truth. I'm tired of following the gossip and finding out after the fact.
Instead of looking at a google map, try the actual weatherford hospital web site. The hospital is out on the highway at the very edge of town and they have a lot of room around it. The pictures are interesting as is the map and directions.
A close relative of mine attends a "Mega" church in the KCK area. Their membership rivals the population of either of the two local towns.
The minister was a graduate of ORU and has been there through the massive growth. He does not take direct credit for the growth. He credits the congregation. They completed a new church not too far from JCCJC.
I often wonder all the people it took to get that done!
All the opinions, disagreements,
information, obstacles and how they reached the concensus to move that project through to completion.
But I think their purpose was to serve the greater good of the congregation and provide for more new members.
An interesting sidenote to the conversation was the fact that they had retreat with a smaller church in the area. The response from the MEGA was so great that it overwhelmed the smaller church. The event was not as enjoyable due to the issues with parking, seating etc. While it wasn't an indoor event and lasted all day.
They had something like 9,000 people come and leave. I had to wonder if the Mega hadn't experienced the same problems through their growth? That is a Life-lesson in where vision meets reality! We can wish for high flying visions and have them simply grounded by reality!
Finally, it is often difficult to relaize that what we plan today may not be achieved or even reach completion in our lifetime.
For we are all a WORK IN PROGRESS never intending to reach completion!
Sept. 9th at 9:30 am – SCKRMC Auxiliary Meeting
Sept 22nd at 6:30 pm – Presbyterian Manor
Sept 25th at 11:00 am – Ark City Senior Center
Sept 30th at 7:00 pm – Brown Center/Wright Room
Oct 2nd at 10:00 am – Ambassadors Coffee
Oct 9th at 7:00 pm – Ark City Senior Center
Oct 22nd at 12 Noon – Soroptimist Meeting
Oct 30th at 7:00 pm – Brown Center/Booth outside of Economic Forum Meeting
I attended the meeting on Tuesday evening. The place was packed. During the presentation one person other then the presenter took the floor for a while. The minute that the vote was taken, I found myself in a virtually empty room. Despite my seeing the presentation, I plan to attend several of the "citizen's" gatherings to see reactions and hear their (our) voices. Blogs are a great invention but they do not replace actual participation. Go to the commission meetings: watch the action, see who speaks/who sits, get a feel for the matters that they have to deal with and how they deal with them. Please do not judge until you have your own witnessing to judge from
I do stand corrected on the location, luckily, I can admit when I am wrong. I am not sure if they just have their old location listed on their website but both yahoo and google list it closer in town. Also, it looks like the address should be Davis Street not Main street.
However, it still doesn't really change my mind. If I lived in Weatherford I probably wouldn't have been happy with the location. And it also doesn't change the fact that they are a slightly larger community with actual population growth (albeit slightly) versus population decline.
Yes, attending the meetings/information session is good but it still doesn't change the fact that they are trying to "sell" you the location.
I am sure that my reasonings for not liking the location are very different than most people in Ark City but I do feel that differing opinions are good and healthy, especially, when you are considering that involves all taxpayers.
If you have seen in the news lately they originally said it would be more expensive to renovate Charity Hospital in New Orleans then another group did a study that said it wouldn't be more expensive. Numbers can always be bent and twisted....
Good comments.
It is best to go to the meetings and listen to he presentation.
The meeting the other night was good.
It did think out as soon as the presentation was over, which is about normal when there is a "hot" issue.
I dont remember there being much of a public outcry when they tried to do this a couple years ago.
They have had several plans.
In 2000 they planned to re-do the current facility.
Either way, its going to cost a lot and the hospital itself is paying for most of it, Its not like the pro sports teams that threaten to leave town unless the city builds them a new stadium.
Thats how OKC is getting Seattle's NBA team.
I Hear that if this new hospital fails to be built, then the only PLAN \"B\" is...drive our butts to Winfield Hospital, after the KDHE suspends the license of the AC hospital. Come on people...get behind the Hospital board and support their decision. Quit bellyaching about the location and be thankful the land was DONATED in the first place. Show some appreciation to the Pattersons and quit disrespecting their gift.
As for the studies, contact Clayton Pappan. There have been many, with one of the most recent being in conjunction with a 20 year \"future\" corridor study. But guess what? Ark City did not have to pay for these studies, the AC Docs paid for them when they were investing in a new hospital. Don\'t you think the Docs wanted it to be successful too? Many have asked why the Docs will not pay this time around too? STARK laws make it illegal for DR\'s to own hospitals now. Even the ones in Wichita, that were Grand-fathered under the new laws, are now being investigated by the Attorney General. That being said, would you invest your money into a home mortage but not own the house? Why would we expect the Doctors of AC do the same, yet get none of the profits. That would be unfair to ask of them. Many people think the local physicians are RICH, RICH, RICH...well guess what? They may be, but it is their money not the Cities, and not ours.
One more thing. Many people thought the movie theatre was a bad idea when it was built at Strother, but many people keep coming to it. It has been a successful operation, and I do realize there is no such thing as a Movie Emergency, but come on, allow change to happen and you might just get to grow some.
well ive seen a movie or two that were a trainwreck, dont know if thats a movie emergency or not :)
But i dont recall much of an outcry about the movie theater..
Yeah, their was a lot of people upset about the movie theater, but the hospital is a whole different ballgame to (alot) more people. We're talking necessity, not fun this time around. Personally, I have never went to the theater much, but I go even less now since it is in strother field. I would rather stay home and rent a couple dvd's for the price of a ticket(or less) and kick back and relax.
"after the KDHE suspends the license of the AC hospital."
unlikely and fictional threat
Instead of guessing, why doesn't someone ask the hospital about the possibility of being closed down?
""after the KDHE suspends the license of the AC hospital."
unlikely and fictional threat"
While you are correct that it is very unlikely for it to be closed down, what is almost a CERTAINTY is that we would have to spend millions of dollars JUST TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE. That doesn't include upgrades or improvements. It just means sprinkling and asbestos removal. It would be a pretty catestrophic blow. So though the point isn't entirely accrurate it is nonetheless significant.
As for the movie theater. I NEVER went to it before as it was absolutely disgusting. Now I go fairly regularly. 2 miles worth of gas or 4 minutes worth of time to a hospital is a ridulous anti-argument. If you gotta go you gotta go and $0.66 worth of gas each way if your car gets 12 miles per gallon is a very insignificant price to pay.
Ask the econonmic developement arm of the Blackwell based bank. About an old rumour that they were offered the opportunity to build the new Rubbermaid warehoue that was built in Winfield at Strother Field! It got done by an out of state company!
The shame is there are other areas that would love to have the same potential and who have the "will" to grow!
i still ask why must a city, affront a sales tax to pay for a regional hospital?? if it was a city hospital within the city i would agree,,,,,if this hospital is to be profitable why can it not pay back to the city the tax incentive though revenue bonds.. and lastly of all things
Who wants to guess who will get the plumbing and central heat and air contracts after this location was magicly approved
still ask why must a city, affront a sales tax to pay for a regional hospital?? if it was a city hospital within the city i would agree,,
>>>
its the hospital board thats putting forward the sales tax, ..
the city is just letting them campaign for it.
>>>>
,,,if this hospital is to be profitable why can it not pay back to the city the tax incentive though revenue bonds.. and lastly of all things
>>
theres probably lots of ways of doing it ...
be a good question to take to one of the meetings:)
>>
Who wants to guess who will get the plumbing and central heat and air contracts after this location was magicly approved
I asked for the info from the city, but have not received it. I was told they would get it for me, but now they are just telling everyone to attend the meetings. What if we can not attend due to work or babysitter issues?
James, have you had any luck getting the presentation in PDF?
James, have you had any luck getting the presentation in PDF?
No, ive been distracted, sorry.
Ill try to get it ..
Maybe jumping too far ahead on this thought, but I hope the hospital board considers bids from the companies in AC or at least divide the work between all ac plumbing and heating and cooling companies. Surely their would be plenty of work to go around. I would hope that they keep most of the construction, landscaping, etc.. to companies in Cowley at least
Nah, KUHN will get it all. Just watch.
Im sure local contractors will get a good bit of it, just as they will on the school bond building program.
Most of that money that we voted in on the school bonds, will stay in the community.
Same might happen with hte hospital, and im sure Kuhn will get some of it.
as far as the sewer and water lines being supplied out there, that is beyond the city or anyone around here capabilities, that will definitely go to an outside contractor, our tax money will pay for it but the city will call it 'volunteering' those services
I asked for the info from the city, but have not received it. I was told they would get it for me, but now they are just telling everyone to attend the meetings. What if we can not attend due to work or babysitter issues?
it it THE LAW that they provide a citizen with the info they ask for, so if they are denying you maybe you should call someone at the state level to help you with that
For the person who "contacted the city" you might need to be a little more specific on who you contact. Each department handles different things. Not everything is at hands reach either, sometimes it takes a bit to find that specific piece of information. Especially if it is not something recent (past few months). If I can help you obtain any information please let me know
pmcdonald2005@sbcglobal.net
I don't any, or very few, of the specifics, but I can lead you to the right person depending on what you want to know.
Patrick McDonald
Hey Patrick, how many people actually do email you with their questions? Or do they just continue blowing, er.. typing hot air?
To be totally honest, I don't recall anyone from the blogs contacting me for more information. I have had a few ask on the blog that I respond on the blog, which I have. But none have contacted me by email.
Patrick McDonald
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