A purely personal perspective

by Sandy May

As we all are more than aware, the news of St. Francis Hospital and Health Care Center's closing sent shock waves through the community. It breaks our heart. Notice given by SSM seemed like a slash from a knife-quick and lethal. But was it?

For years, the hospital informed of financial woes and had released press statements. Certainly all were aware that they were seeking a buyer.

Interviewing both doctors and staff, I found a strong commitment to keeping the hospital open-don't forget, they too are in shock. Universally, all interviewed stated to me that they will continue to send patients to the hospital and are trying every avenue that they can think of to use what they call a fine facility with a great staff. The multi-million dollar expansion did more than put on a pretty face, it paid for state-of-the-art equipment.

Doctors, who truly understand procedures, warn that once a facility closes, reopening is difficult at best. Should money be forthcoming from state/federal sources? Maybe. We can only hope. Nonetheless, for the first time, I felt a ray of hope-confidence in their ability, pride in their fierce determination. I also hope that by the time you read this article that we have great news. Meetings were scheduled forWednesday April 30th and Friday, May 2nd-in regard to a prospective buyer.

Nonetheless, I am going to say a few things, here…

What we need

We need your help as a community. Call legislators. The listing has been printed twice in the FORUM. Keep it. Call often, repeat call. Make a nuisance of yourself. If you need the list, call our offices.

Another thing-and don't think this is trivial. Do your part in trying to keep our city clean. Don't throw stuff around-don't litter. We truly need to look good and provide an appropriate panorama for the hospital and their employees. Something that will make them want to be here. And how about us? It would help if we had pride in our surroundings--our spirits could use a little lifting, too. It has happened--when individual groups try making some positive changes and/or beautification programs, they can be neglected, certainly not encouraged, possibly made fun of. I still remember “upscale” becoming a dirty word during an election.

With summer coming, along with littering, please remember not to blast music and remind children about throwing garbage-let's lead by our example.

From the city, we need help and true efforts toward beautification-i.e., maybe we need more “low” paying city jobs-providing maintenance, cleanliness and just down right “help” for citizens AND businesses. We do not need to focus on highpaying at-the-top city jobs. Especially since we need some real elementary stuff here-like clean dumpsters for businesses, proper garbage containers, clean street signage, i.e., not rusted and crappy (please excuse). It would help if signage was thought out and had a clear message--not just adding one sign next to another as ordinances are passed. These things contribute greatly to our image.

We need real programs for recycling-programs we can believe in. I'm going to provide a list again, but the city needs to step up to the plate. What about that Green Space idea?. Do you know that geraniums pull toxicity out of soil? Two years ago, I wrote about a Philadelphia company which will help facilitate recycling. Participants pay nothing, yet this company not only promotes recycling through their service but will work with a city's present sanitation company. It has been successful enough to offer rebates not only back to a city, but even to citizens. Think anyone asked about it?

No. Whoops-sorry. There was one person-wanted to see if I made the whole thing up.

Alderman should be scrutinizing their wards and scouting out ways to make them safer, cleaner and attractive-and presenting ideas at council meetings. And while on that subject…

Over and over we, the people, have stated a need to resume City Council meetings on cable TV-it's been a mighty long time. Call the City Clerk's office because we're tired of having requests fall on deaf ears.

Let's think seriously about making our community one that is a “sought after,” place to live. Let's celebrate our diversity, instead of blaming ethnic groups for what's going wrong here. If you're “too busy” to be involved or “just not into politics” then take whatever comes your way.

Let's hope working together, spending that $5 a day here at home,* promoting ethnic and civic pride, really demanding that our city look like a Star, will bring us out-of-this-world, significant, positive results.

*courtesy of Candace Carr