No new taxes, no problem

Voters got the message loud and clear: no new taxes for the $17 million general obligation bond to finance additions and renovations to the Southwest Medical Center.

Of the 1,369 votes, 81 percent voted in favor of the bond, according to county unofficial results. The bond election received 1,119 votes in favor and 250 votes against.

Denisee Ramos held her son, D.J., as she voted Tuesday at the Seward County Events Center for the special election. County voters had the opportunity to visit the events center and Kismet City Hall to place a vote on the $17 million general obligation bond to finance Southwest Medical Center proposed additions and renovations. The bond passed. Photo by Laura Eastes

Deputy county clerk Crystal Clemens said voting was steady throughout the morning and early afternoon. The county election office saw more than 440 early voters in its office from Feb. 15 until noon Monday.

The $17 million bond will go towards the payment of equipment, construction and upgrades. The multi-million dollar project will be paid by hospital revenue. No tax-payer dollars will be collected to finance the project.

Steve Cauble, co-chair for Citizens for Hospital Improvement, believed no taxpayer money was a crucial part to the passing of the bond. Sandra Koochel, the other co-chair of the group, said the committee conducted advertising campaigns, organized public forums and spoke to numerous community groups to get the information out to the public. The campaign stressed that no tax dollars would be used to fund the project, as well as the impact the project would have on the community.

“Many people at these forums mentioned how misinformed they were,” said Koochel. “They just said they didn't feel like they knew the issue. I know the newspaper, radios ads, the town hall, meetings, the flyers, I know it helped.”

The hospital's administration has stated the project will help the community in a variety of ways. The hospital expansions will provide better services to the community. The emergency room will be expanded to nine total examination rooms from four rooms.

In addition, more services will be offered at the hospital. A new magnet will be purchased for the MRI. The more powerful magnet will be able to offer the latest in healthcare technology. SWMC President Norm Lambert has said the new technology options will alleviate Seward County patients from traveling to other hospitals to seek tests and services.

The hospital additions and renovations are to be built to reflect the future of healthcare by providing more inpatient services.

“We have outpatient procedures that can be done so quickly and people can be sent home so quickly,” said Koochel. “Let's say someone has gallbladder surgery. They don't have to spend the night in the hospital. The same with childbirth, people are in and out … You can get things done and you are on your way. That is what the trend is in cities and now it has hit here.”

Lambert predicted the new additions and renovations, as well as the construction of a new medical office building, will attract doctors to SWMC. Lambert said a critical issue the community faces is the shortage of doctors.

“A lot of what we are doing in this project will give us a competitive edge to try and recruit doctors to our community,” said Lambert in February.

Both Koochel and Cauble were pleased with Tuesday's election results.

“I was impressed with the faith and the leadership by the hospital board and the county commission and it shows people have a lot of faith and trust in them,” said Cauble. “The leaders of the community gave us the opportunity to vote on it. I feel positive about the project for the future of Liberal and the community as a whole.”

For full story please see Wednesday's Times

Word from the street
The Southwest Times spoke with Seward County residents about the Southwest Medical Center special election Tuesday. Some had already voted. Others planned to vote later in the day.

Steve Delgren
Southwest Times: Why are you planning to vote today?
SD: It makes sense. I know it is a bad time in the economy. It is just one of those things I support. I was against the school bond and I still am ... The hospital bond is a whole new ball game.
SWT: The hospital bond is being paid for by SWMC revenue and not taxpayer dollars, how do you feel about that?
SD: They are paying for it themselves. I think the hospital charges too much money and they aren't going to bring it down. The money might as well go to something that will help the community.
SWT: Do you think the renovations and additions will help the community?
SD: They should help. We have a shortage of doctors and if we give them something to work with in the changes, maybe we will get more doctors. If you are in a business and your making money, if you want to improve your business you do renovations.

Vilma Colter
SWT: How do you feel about the SWMC bond issue?
VC: When I heard the gentleman over at the hospital speak, I thought some things sounded really good. He said there were no taxes but then you listen to some people and they say differently. You don't know what to believe. I have mixed emotions. I just don't know. I am a person who doesn't know if my vote does any good or not.
SWT: Do you use SWMC facilities?
VC: Not very often. I usually just go to my doctor.
SWT: How do you feel about the proposed renovations and additions?
VC: I think the renovations would be nice, but at the same time I am wondering why they need them for new doctors. They want to build that new medical building right by the hospital. I think it will be great to have that so close to the hospital, if they can keep doctors in it. If they can't keep the doctors, then what? Like I said, I have mixed emotions about it and I just don't know.

Barbara Fitzgerald
SWT: How important do you think the election is for SWMC?
BF: I think it is important and especially hope people understand that it doesn't raise taxes.
SWT: Would you vote differently if your taxes were raised?
BF: Possibly, it would depend on how much and everything that is involved. That was how I felt with the school bonds.

Lilia Pando, Tammie Heathman and Andriana Roseals
SWT: How do you feel about the proposed bond for SWMC hospital improvements?
LP: Are they going to raise our taxes?
SWT: No, the hospital has said the bond will be paid by hospital revenue.
LP: Is it going to change? Because usually after everybody votes the way the want them to, they switch all the rules and make it on us.
SWT: No, the hospital has a 45-year track record of not accepting county tax dollars.
TH: I think it is a great thing because it is going to get doctors in here and specialists. If you have a serious problem, you automatically have to go to Amarillo or Witchita. The new technology is needed and if they aren't going to raise my taxes. I hope it passes.
SWT: Do you see the proposed bond helping the community?
LP: There would be a lot more jobs created for other people.
SWT: Do you see a need for the proposed renovations and additions?
AR: I do see a need for it. Especially, because we need more doctors and a lot of them wouldn't take medical card or Medicaid.
TH: We have got to do something to get doctors to come. How many general practitioners do we have? We have maybe one?
LP: There is only like four or five rooms in the emergency rooms and some of the rooms have two beds in it. There is no actual privacy. That would be good to have it expanded. We don't have very many doctors and the ones that we do have are going to leave soon. The problem is most of the doctors we have right now are 60 years and up. Most of them are going to retire soon. What are we going to do then?

Jim Shaw
SWT: How do you feel about the SWMC election?
JS: I hope it passes.
SWT: Do you feel you were well informed on the issue prior to making your vote?
JS: I think so.
SWT: Do you attend any of the Citizens for Hospital Improvement meetings?
JS: I hadn't made any of the Citizens for Hospital improvement meetings. Just followed the coverage in the newspaper. I thought I was well informed about the issue.

Lucille Myers
SWT: Why did you choose to vote today?
LM: I wanted to vote for the hospital. It means a lot to me.
SWT: How will the renovations help you?
LM: I am at the age where I go up there quite a bit. The renovations will help the services provided to me.

© 2008 Southwest Times