Today's Feature
Future Site for McCune Brooks.
The McCune Brooks
Hospital Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast
Thursday morning in the hospital’s cafeteria
to give a report on the hospital’s future
plans to relocate. Approximately 40 people
attended, including members from the Steadley
Trust and Helen S. Boyland Foundation, members of
the media, County and City Officials, McCune
Brooks Hospital Board, and the McCune Brooks
Hospital Foundation Board. McCune Brooks Hospital CEO Bob Copeland
led the presentation and reported that the
Foundation Board had made a land acquisition for
50 acres from Precious Moments for the future
site of McCune Brooks. McCune Brooks Hospital
Foundation Board President Tom Flanigan spoke to
the Mornin’ Mail after the meeting.
Flanigan stated that the purchase price of $1.5
million dollars was made for the land located on
the southwest corner of HH and 71 Highways. He
explained that the Foundation Board has an
arrangement with Precious Moments in the form of
a promissory note.
"It’s like buy now,
pay later," said Flanigan. He stated he did
not have the paperwork on hand to give the exact
time frame the land was to be paid off.
Copeland reported that building
a new hospital would cost approximately $23.6
million dollars and that a campaign to raise the
funds will begin soon. He also stated that it
would take a year to plan and secure the funds.
"I would like to see a
shovel in the dirt by the end of this year,"
said Copeland.
Mayor Kenneth Johnson spoke to
the Mornin’ Mail later that morning.
"The City owns the
hospital no matter were it is located but is
basically a separate entity," said Johnson.
"I would like to see it move forward, it
would be an asset and good for the
community."
Copeland stated that there was
a great need to expand the range of care and
continue the quality of health care providers. He
also stated that a new hospital would have a
positive impact on the growth in the community,
and the new location would be easily assessable.
He also felt it would be more appealing in
recruiting and continuing quality health care
providers.
"We’re trying to
create a wonderful place to work," said
Copeland.
"The aging facility is
costly and impractical for our aging
population," said Copeland. "There is
poor parking, inpatients receive semiprivate
rooms, and the facility does not meet the trend
for today. A strong quality health care
organization is critical for a growing community
and quality of life."
The current hospital is
approximately 86,000 square feet and the new
facility would provide 135,000 square feet which
would include a medical office building.
Copeland reported that no
definite plans were made as of yet to the
existing hospital building’s future.
"The existing building is
a gem in the community and still has a good
useful life," said Copeland. "Some
ideas are to use it as residential care or an
assisted living program."
McCune Brooks Hospital
Foundation Board Member Neel Baucom ask what the
new facility would provide as far as new service
options.
Copeland stated that a new
facility would allow for expanded emergency care
and urgent care, rehabilitation services for
patient’s who have strokes, brain surgery,
hip and knee replacements and speech therapy.
"It is planned to add an
obstetrical program," said Copeland. "I
would like for the people in our community to
have their babies here."
"We plan for expanded
outpatient services and surgical area, and today,
people are wanting privacy and we will be able to
offer a private setting," said Copeland.
Copeland mentioned that a new
facility would also allow adequate parking and a
chapel inside the hospital.
Mayor Johnson ask what the
funding options were for this project.
Copeland replied that the
funding needed would mostly come from grants and
the selling of bonds. He stated that the
federally backed bonds are planned to come from a
FHA-242 program that has been established for
many years and would offer the very best in
interest rates.
Bob Copeland spoke to the Mornin’
Mail yesterday afternoon.
"I am on cloud nine,"
expressed Copeland. "There was alot of
support and energy in the room this morning.
I’m glad that the community believes there
is a need for a replacement facility. I’m
walking on air."
Letters to the
Editor
Opinions expressed reflect
those of the writer and not necessarily those of
the Mornin' Mail.
January 8, 2004
Dear Mayor, Staff and Council,
After much careful
deliberation, I am giving you my resignation as
Councilman first ward.
This goes back to the residence
problem uncovered with my election. We have
discussed this and you are all aware of the
details. I felt that this was taken care of, but
it looks as if it is not. Frankly, I don’t
feel that the situation merits all of the
attention it is receiving. If I felt that it was
wrong, I would have stepped down immediately.
After reading Bill
Putnam’s recent email to the Mornin’
Mail (see box at
right), it is apparent
that he is not going to be able to tolerate my
being a Councilman under these circumstances. I
didn’t like the insinuations that I as well
as the City are doing something wrong. I am not
one to quit when the going gets tough, but I
can’t tolerate the veiled insinuations that
the Mayor, Staff and Council are involved in
something underhanded. I am certain that if Mr.
Putman doesn’t agree with our actions then
he is going to claim that our actions aren’t
valid. This will make it nearly impossible for
the Council to do its duty.
I have enjoyed my term thus
far, I think that we have an excellent Council
and Staff. We have made accomplishments that I
think have benefited the City and there are other
projects I was looking forward to.
Regretfully,
Mike Harris
Councilman 1st Ward
Published December 30, 2003
I have been reading on the
internet that now David Mouton has ruled that
Carthage does have a requirement that councilmen
live in the ward they are elected from. My
recollection is that last April, someone ruled
that was not the case, and that the election of
Mike Harris was valid. If you have to live in the
ward, then his election was not valid, therefore
his election should be delcared invalid, and his
seat vacant.
How does that affect all the
votes taken in the past year when he voted? If he
was not legally elected, then his votes should be
nulified, and appropriate changes made to any
ordinances adopted where he voted in the
affirmative, if the total votes in favor was only
6. This would mean the legal votes in favor were
only 5, and therefore not enough for passage. I
hope this is not the case, but someone should
look into it.
— Bill Putnam
artCentral
Begins a New Year.
By Lee Sours, artCentral
Vacation is over and we are
ready to start 2004. The annual membership
meeting will be held Wednesday, January 14 at
noon in the gallery. Members are encouraged to
attend and voice their ideas for the upcoming
year. We have a wonderful group of board members
who are open to input from others. Interested
members of the community who are not members are
welcome also.
The director of artCentral has
resigned after many years of dedicated work to
pursue her interest in sculpture. Thanks goes to
Robin Putnam for all her hard work organizing all
the events and making things happen. We hope you
have great results in your studio!
The paintings, photography and
raku pottery of Debbie, Richard and Tim Reed and
the 2D and 3D work of Penny Wilkinson will close
Friday, January 9. Showing next will be the
transparent watercolor paintings of Joe Prater in
the Main Gallery. The Members Gallery will
feature the oil paintings of Gary Younger. An
opening reception will be held Friday, January 23
from 6-8pm. Refreshments will be served. The show
will continue through February 27.
The southwestern watercolor
paintings of Marilyn York will be on display at
Shellie’s until January 17. On the 18th we’ll be
hanging a new show by Arkansas artist Judy
Maurer. We are excited to have her show at
Shellie’s for the first time.
HOURS: T – F 11 - 5
Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and
Sat.
1110 E 13th • 358-4404
ozarkartistscolony.com
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