Bradley Memorial Hospital... RIP

So, the county hospital is no more. In a Cleveland Daily Banner propaganda editorial, County Mayor D. Gary Davis lamented its passing but says there was no option, instead blaming the healthcare economy for its failing.

It couldn't be that poor management and an inept but reliably silent hospital board could have been at fault?

Before the hospital's metamorphosis and probably financial reawakening in the private sector, I would like to ponder a few points that have bothered me. First, no inkling of financial trouble was forthcoming until the announcement of the pending sale to Community Health Systems Inc. Despite the fact that some very influential people were on or had been members of the hospital board - including Mayor Davis. There were also influential people who managed the facility who must have known, but kept quiet - including Dewayne Belew and now assistant to the County Mayor, Michael Willis. Pre-sale reports were that trouble was long and persistent yet time after time, auditors pronounced the facility alive and well. I must admit that it seemed strange that after each audit the private auditors made a statement which in effect absolved them of responsibility for errors. It was my understanding that both the hospital and the healthcare industry were in excellent shape and this editor had no knowledge of pending trouble.

Then there is the contradiction that although the facility is in such dire straits that it was almost bankrupt (no one's fault), yet Community Health Systems is prepared to pay twice its worth according to the appraisal, and make generous concessions for the privilege of owning it. It doesn't make sense.

Another point of concern is that shortly after former manager of Community Health Systems, Alan Watson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Bradley Memorial, the sale was discussed and rumors of financial disaster including layoffs were leaked. (he was a former employee who worked at Cleveland Community Hospital)

Although Mayor Davis is trying to appear the good guy in his editorial, he must have been aware of the soap opera that was unfolding and knew that the deal would not go through without the blessing of the hospital staff - hence the scare tactic of layoffs.

"What do you think" Continued

One last point is that all the upper management, including Watson, were in favor of selling despite being told they were the only employees to be laid off. Doesn't that seem strange?

So, the hospital board are telling us, on the advice of Watson, that the hospital and employee jobs are doomed unless it is sold to Community Health Systems who are prepared to pay twice its value to rescue them from disaster and yet operate under the same restrictions as was stifling the hospital into bankruptcy.

Very strange.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Watson, Belew and the other managers after they are laid off and what severance packages are awarded.

What do you think?

The loonies have left the building.

The Bradley County Board of Education and Director of Schools, Bob Taylor have been replaced by clones designed by Mr. Rogers, or that's what seems to have happened. No more lunatic rantings from Troy Weathers who is now chairman, or organized media circuses to discredit commissioners from Taylor - just reasonable and thoughtful discussions on how to improve the school system in a way that everyone can support. Although it is hard to believe that these two have changed and only time will tell if they are genuine, they must be commended for the new approach to a civilized way of conducting business. Former school board members, Walter Presswood, Steve Bivens, Sheryl Graham and Sandy Wallis so denigrated the reputation and integrity of the board that even those social misfits on the commission that would vote for anything were rebelling. Change was necessary and it was the school board that needed the change - and they did. It is good to see common sense and courtesy replacing spiteful manipulation. Well done guys.

What do you think?

Election fraud.

Finally Washington is accepting the fact that election fraud is rampant in the U.S. and measures are being taken to try to change irregularities that are ingrained in the system. Although fraud seems to be widespread, President Bush and federal investigators would do well to pay particular attention to Tennessee and specifically Bradley County to forge changes. Brooke Thompson, Tennessee State Election Coordinator needs to go, preferably to jail, before Tennessee elections can become honest. This man is the root of the trouble here. Like the legislature there needs to be enforced ethics regulation with real penalties for the crooks. Then Bradley County needs to fire Director of Elections David Ellis, for incompetence for allowing irregularities to go unchallenged and unchanged. Then the inept and intellectually challenged Election Commission, especially former chairperson Mary Frances Armstrong and present chairman David Ellison should be replaced with trustworthy and intelligent people who understand the new election technology, before they bring disgrace and ridicule to our county. Then, and only then will Bradley county and Tennessee stand a chance for honest elections. Then and only then will the public be confident that the legitimate winner actually serves the people.

What do you think?


"What do you think" Continued

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