The November voting date is fast approaching when Allen County citizens will decide whether to pass the proposed 1⁄4 cent sales tax increase to fund the building of a new hospital. This is not the issue that needs addressing. The question has been asked, who is paying for all the advertising, brochures and signs to secure the yes votes?
As with all issues and debates there are pros and cons. Allen County citizens have only seen one Forum letter listing cons regarding this issue.
Some questions to ask are: 1. With the patient load being so low (instance of only three patients in a day and even only one patient at night) this seem like an extravagant venture. A known fact of the past has been very low patient loads. Believing a new hospital will add new patients and bring in more/new doctors is getting the cart before the horse. 2. If more patients do not occur, at the end of 10 years and the 1⁄4 cent sales tax expires, how will Allen County continue to support the new hospital financially? NOTE: The majority of Allen County citizens can not continue to withstand property tax increases. 3. The present hospital was built so construction could go up, however, maybe that is not feasible. 4. The United States needs to learn how to maintain old structures instead of always tearing down and rebuilding.
In talking with a doctor from a very large city in another state and informing the doctor of what was being proposed and where we are situated with neighboring towns and large cities, the doctor stated what Allen County needs is an urgent care facility. This being a possibility, a very competent staff to administer to each patient very quickly and effectively would be required. No patient should have to wait more than a few minutes before the problem is addressed.
To ALL Allen County Citizens: If you believe Allen County needs a new hospital, vote yes for the 1⁄4 cent sales tax increase. Vote NO if you believe this is an extravagant venture and more than is necessary.
A concerned
Allen County citizen,
Judy Snavely
Editor’s note: Allen County Commissioners have bent over backward to assure voters a property tax is not in the formula to fund a new Allen County Hospital.
