Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509180010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Lamb's Aug. 24 letter to community leaders is yet another cry for help in his effort to save his dream. Lamb claims to have some "new" information about his proposed replacement hospital. If Radford Community Hospital has been planning a replacement facility for 15 years, why have they only now found out this "new information" about "projected cost savings?"
Lamb claims that if the people of the New River Valley and the state let him build a new $61 million hospital with their money, he can reduce his "operating costs by $1.3 million annually." In the very same letter, he claims he "can save $4.8 million over 10 years." Something here does not add up. This information must be so new that Lamb and his consultants must not have had time to verify their numbers.
$1.3 million annually X 10 years = $13.0 million
minus the claimed 10 year savings = $4.8 million
Where do these other $8.2 mystery millions go ?
I would ask that you review the two applications [by Radford Community Hospital and by Montgomery Regional and Pulaski Community hospitals] and ask questions as to why the numbers in Radford's application don't add up any better than the ones in Lamb's letters. Base your support of either project on hard data, not on emotional wishes and dreams.
If you still want to choose the option which costs 220 percent more, that's your choice. After all - it's your money.
Christopher Dux
Pulaski Community Hospital
Pulaski
Health care needs changing
As Radford Community Hospital finalizes plans to develop and build an updated state-of-the-art health care center, I want to communicate my support for this project.
The delivery of health care continues to undergo significant changes, as we witness an increasing shift from inpatient to outpatient services. The impact of this dramatic shift, combined with new concepts in delivering care, has driven the need for major changes in hospital configuration. The present building is inadequate to efficiently meet the current needs of patients in the New River Valley. The lack of adequate privacy in radiology, poor patient flow and generally limited space put Radford Community at a competitive disadvantage in the growing managed care market.
The proposed facility would greatly enhance the ability of the medical community throughout the New River Valley to serve the health needs of their patients.
Dr. Scott Kincaid,
Chief of Staff, Radford Community Hospital
Radford
Emergency room needs updating
Providing the best possible health care for our residents has been my primary mission for the past 11 years as chief of emergency services at Radford Community Hospital. That is why building a replacement hospital is important, not only to our staff, but to the many people who depend on us every day. Radford Community Hospital's efforts toward providing a modern health center for the 21st century is vital for everyone.
The location for the proposed site, off of Interstate I-81, is prime for assisting persons in emergency situations with easy access and proximity. A new facility would enhance our emergency capabilities to treat sicker patients in the emergency room for a longer time period, which would in turn, lessen admissions. On the average, with fewer admissions, health-care costs would be less in the long run.
The hospital's reputation for the past 50 years speaks for itself. In a new facility, we want to continue that tradition of providing superior service and treatment to the people who need us the most.
Dr. Richard Shepherd,
Chief of Emergency Services
Radford
`When will the madness stop?'
On Aug. 9, three Blacksburg police officers shot and killed Maurice Taylor in the Revco drug store on South Main Street. In my opinion, this tragic death could easily have been avoided.
A young life was tragically cut short, all for a pellet gun. My question: When will the madness stop? How many people will have to suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to serve and protect? Are the young children of Blacksburg supposed to put their water guns and B.B. guns away in fear of being gunned down by the Blacksburg police? Were these officers not trained to assess a situation so that lives would not needlessly be taken?
The police saw Maurice as a criminal, while others saw him as a friend. His mother saw him as a child that she gave life to that was taken away from all.
I was not there to see every action, but I firmly believe that the police could have handled the situation in a more suitable fashion, sparing Maurice Taylor's life.
My whole point is to let others know how many of us are feeling. The Blacksburg police are being made to look like heroes to some. Now, a life has been taken. It is the duty of the public not to let the police cover this up.
Maurice wasn't perfect - no one really is - but he had a wide array of friends and family who loved him. If the tables were turned and it was a police officer who was killed, people would call this first degree murder.
This incident has made a profound impact on the community.
We work every day to take care of ourselves and our family. We have the right to be heard and to pray that this will make a difference.
Mary Henderson
Blacksburg
Marye's seniority is valuable
If you are not sure what candidate deserves to represent you in the Senate of Virginia's General Assembly, please consider these three good reasons to vote for Madison Marye.
1. Madison Marye has seniority and our area needs the power of seniority to counterbalance the larger population power of Northern Virginia.
2. Madison Marye has that rare quality - integrity. He says what he thinks and he does what he says.
3. Madison Marye believes in the importance of education, both in the public schools and at the college level. He also votes the funds needed to support good education, and he is on the Senate Finance Committee.
Nadine Newcomb
Blacksburg
Lady Hokies deserve support
I want to say a big thank you to Lady Hokie basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson for helping make our team a winner and to wish her well in her new job. Also I encourage all Hokie fans to support our team again this year. Hoop season is right around the corner. How about them Hokies?
C.W. Hall
Pearisburg
by CNB