THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 3, 1995 TAG: 9510030255
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to ask a Greenville hospital to push ahead with efforts to build a clinic in Dare County.
Earlier this year, Pitt Memorial Hospital and the East Carolina University Medical School unveiled a proposal that would provide specialized health care for Dare County residents.
The facility, hospital officials said, would enhance the work being done by private physicians.
The county commissioners voted 6-1 to send a letter, urging the hospital to go ahead with its plans.
Commissioner Shirley Hassell voted against sending the letter, and asked the commission to wait until Pitt and Albemarle hospitals completed a scheduled discussion Wednesday.
Under the Pitt proposal, the hospital would work in a cooperative effort with Chowan Hospital, Albemarle Hospital and Chesapeake General Hospital.
``I think we should encourage Pitt Memorial to move forward as quickly as they can to get this facility in place,'' Commission Vice Chairman Clarence Skinner said.
However, Hassell urged a cautious approach.
``We heard in the presentation that Pitt Memorial, Albemarle and the other hospitals want to work together as a group,'' said Hassell. ``I don't think we need to start making any motions until they come back to us with their joint proposal''
Hassell also argued that Skinner's motion was out of order, since it was not included in the day's agenda. However, County Attorney Al Cole said Skinner's motion was permitted under the law.
In a related issue, Skinner said the county has received approval for four dialysis units in the county.
The State Health Coordination Council gave its approval last month for the sites.
However, state health officials must grant a certificate of need before the machines can be put in place. Certificates of need are required for the facility to be eligible to receive Medicaid and Medicare payments.
The certificates are awarded on a competitive basis by the state.
The certification could come as early as next spring.
In other action Monday, the county approved $990,000 in general obligation bonds for the purchase of computer equipment for schools.
A total of $750,000 had been approved in the budget last summer.
Finance officer David Clawson said the bonds would result in a saving for the county, when compared to an originally proposed lease-purchase arrangement, because of lower interest rates.
Hassell voted against the proposal, saying, ``I think we should give them the $750,000, let the schools buy the computers and get out of the business.''
On a 6-1 vote, the board also renewed until 1997 an ordinance that requires property of 15,000 square feet or less served by the Cape Hatteras Water Authority to maintain a 50-foot buffer between well points and septic fields. The ordinance, originally passed in July 1993, expired last summer.
Hassell asked the board to delay action on the measure until she had a chance to study it.
``I don't want to vote on anything I haven't read,'' Hassell said.
Commissioner Doug Langford responded, ``It's pretty straightforward. Don't you trust me?''
``No,'' Hassell replied, to which Langford retorted, ``Who do you trust, Mrs. Hassell?''
She did not respond.
The board will meet again Oct. 16. by CNB