The local hospital, University Medical Center, is opposed; understandable, as well.
UMC stated that the surgery fees help to offset the losses they encounter in emergency room, non-insured, etc. They also contend that there is no serious need for another surgery center in the area since their surgery room has never been booked to capacity.
Personally, I can't see a big benefit.
I used UMC for an operation the first year that I lived here. The scheduling was no problem and the care was "top drawer".
Besides UMC, Macon Countians can use Sumner Regional Hospital and Hendersonville that are not too far before going into Nashville if surgery is required.
The request for an application to build this facility is supposed to go before the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency Mar. 23.
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This past weekend Barbara and I drove down to Tuscaloosa to visit some relatives. The trip last April was the same Saturday as the "A-Day" game at the university that I didn't plan on. This year the same thing happened -- that, again, I didn't plan on. This intersquad game, which is supposed to let the alumni and fans see the talent that has developed during spring practices, was usually played around the middle of April. Auburn held their game last Saturday also.
Besides being disappointed in the overflow crowds at each of my favorite restaurants -- 30 to 45 minute wait in the first five choices of eateries -- due to the 25,000 Bama fans and a dozen high school track teams in town, I paid the highest price for gasoline that I ever have in my life -- $2.29 a gallon.
Will the hybrid automobile be the answer to the continued rise in gas prices? I understand that these electric/gas vehicles will get over sixty mpg but are expensive. One way to look at making a change is, even with the saving on gas, how long will it take you to recover from the high price of the car?
Those locally who are taking the biggest hit from these high prices are the bread-winners who have to drive out of the county each day to work.
...And don't bring up the prices of fuel in Alaska. Those living or visiting there choose to do so.
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A release from Bart Gordon's office stated $200,000 was earmarked for a welcome center here in Lafayette. The building would also house the Chamber of Commerce. This is exciting and we're looking forward to more details.
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We'd like to commend the Lifeline Ministeries and the River of Life Church for offering the Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ free to the public. It will be shown this Friday at 6 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Westmoreland.
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John Douglas Wootten had surgery last week at Centennial Hospital. He was expected to return home by now. We certainly wish him well during the recovery.
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Our Macon High Marching Tiger Band will be loadin up this Wednesday, Mar. 23, to make a trip down to Orlando. FL. The band will march in a Magic Kingdom parade. We hope that everyone will enjoy this memorable school-days trip.
The directors, parents, and members should be congratulated for a fine program. I know all will represent Macon County and our state well.
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It was bad news to learn that a Tennessee Guardsman was killed Sunday in Iraq. The 37-year-old SPC was from Talbot, near Jefferson City.
Bless his service to his nation.
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I surely appreciate ex-skydiver Jerry Howell bringing several old editions of this newspaper to us last Friday. They will be helpful since several years of our bound files burned during a fire back in the seventies.
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One of 2003's best (actual) headlines: "Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors" (Light fixtures too low, I suppose...)
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