Sunday I did not arrive at the meeting at the VFD in time to sign up to speak to the officials and public who overflowed the meeting. I ask that you publish this letter to convey what I would have said had I spoken.
First, I congratulate the public officials, the University of Maryland Regional Shore Health officials, and the citizens of the region who came together to address this issue. I wonder if there has ever been a meeting in Maryland attended by such a high percentage of the population of the county. Second, I would I would like to tell those who attended that I believe that even if Ken Kozel, the President of Shore Health wanted to keep the beds and services in Chestertown open, he could not do so. The power lies with the MD Health Care Commission or higher, and they would be embarrassed to reverse themselves, so the ultimate power really lies with the Legislature or the Governor, and ultimately with citizens all across the state. No matter how many meetings are held in this region, it is unlikely to result in a reversal of the decision to close the beds in Chestertown.
That does not mean that you face an impossible task. You can learn from the group of ladies who tackled the “impossible” task of getting an overpass over US 301 in Centreville. As a county commissioner I was pleased and amazed to see them organize and mount a state wide campaign of constantly pointing out the need for this bridge. Through prayer services, essay contests, marches, meetings and appearances all over the state, they enlisted the aid and sympathy of citizens all across the State. After months, maybe years of relentless, consistent campaigning, the message was out, and when some money was unexpectedly available, the Governor ignored the priorities of the Transportation Commission and ordered the bridge built. Something like that may happen to you with good planning, a lot of parading in front of the camera in T shirts, and much hard work. I encourage you to form a committee, contact the ladies in Centreville for guidance and instructions, and start to work. It will be hard and long work, but there’s a lot better chance to retain beds in Chestertown than trying to start to get new beds from scratch. You have a good story. Probably no one in Maryland will have to travel further to get to a Maryland hospital bed than you will.
A large part of Queen Anne’s County depends on your hospital beds too. Please call on me to work for you in any way that I can.
Bob Simmons
Centreville
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