Dateline: Hong Kong –
Mason City City Council; classic case for collusion.
Not only are we saddled with an incompetent mayor, but to throw salt in the wound…take a good long look at those six people sitting at that council table. There has been much said about this body of conspirators and I am the one who has been the most expressive but the sheer astonishment of their presence defies all reason.
No one could ever assemble this many incompetent people at one time if they tried. These are the people who fell to their knees the minute Mercy started to pass gas. Those families who wanted no more than they were entitled too as property owners and tax payers….their rights under the law carry just as much weight as 350 beds…..
This isn’t a third world country, you can’t throw these homeowners to the wolves. How many sitting at that council table would have willingly agreed to devalued their own property so Mercy could unload more trucks. In 99 per cent of households the home is the biggest investment the family has. How would you like to work 35 to 40 years paying off your home then to see it’s value halved because “the hospital” wanted a larger dock?
Anyone who can buy several blocks of residential property, then level it to park cars…can easily make whole 12 home owners. So now the question comes; why didn’t they? Because they knew there was no backbone at that council table…..after all they have people there who work on spines…..
There is no common sense at that table; if records were kept this council will be remembered as the worse in the history of this city.
Peter Children
As all of us were able to get ready for some of our last proceed, Sarah as well as I encased up the majority of our CD collection. It accommodate pretty nicely in a few switching boxes, so all of us loaded it around the truck as well as left. soldes burberry http://sacamainburberrysolde.webnode.fr
“Also Mercy is not trying to take anyone’s home.”
It was never implied in what I wrote that Mercy was ‘taking’ homes. My intent was to point out that property in this case, owned by private citizens, is an important concept not to be taken lightly. It is those rights that elected officials are sworn to protect.
In this case, there are plenty of alternatives, which I have offered one, that would eliminate the issues.
“It’s not Mercy’s fault the neighbors don’t like the noise the generators make.”
There are ways to mitigate that problem as I have suggested. Additionally, there is a generator currently on-site (as was mentioned in a prior comment).
“So please don’t stretch things to fit your agenda.”
I don’t have an agenda per se, nor do I have a vested interest in the area around Mercy. I do however believe that disrupting a stable neighborhood is an action of last resort. Especially if there are alternative options to achieve the same end result.
As well, I see a Council that refused to stick up for the common citizen and their rights.
If Mercy were to “make whole” those disadvantaged 12 homeowners, what about the next dozen – and so on & so on?
When people buy homes in the area can they not see the hospital – already there & with all the activity that goes on around it? I bet those that did sell to Mercy were Ok obtaining above market value when they sold.
Peter says the council are conspirators and are a “classic case for collusion”. Really? What evidence of a conspiracy & collusion is there? I suppose if you believe approval by council is evidence of incompetence that is your opinion – unsupported, but your opinion.
I think the majority of voters and taxpayers in Mason City support the council’s action and the author is wrong – again.
I have been to Mercy for major back surgery (twice), kidney stones, and broken ribs and a punctured lung, among a score of other injuries/ailments. At all times I have been treated with the courtesy and professionalism I expected from Mercy’s health care providers. Any problems with the bill from them has been handled easily and satisfactorily. If people choose not to go to Mercy, that is their option. And I applaud Mr. Children for limiting his op-ed to the Mercy expansion and not the quality of care that it offers. But then, I have met Mr. Children, and would expect no less from him.
Id like to ask some simple question because I dont know the answer. not being from Mason City.
#1..Did the city or the hospital use eminent domain to obtain any of the homes near the hospital?
I was under the assumption that in order to do that, the area had to be 75% in blight. and that people could not be forced to sell their house.
#2…please explain if anyone was forced to sell. forget the fact that they may have been offered more than the house was worth. you cant put a figure on your first home, or all the loving work you’ve put in over the years of raising your family.
#1 NO
#2 NO
thank you for answering. however if that is true. Why is anyone complaining? If nobody was forced to sell then no harm done. Your saying that people didnt have to accept the hospitals offer. If the hospital wants to buy property to expand, and neighbors accept offers. Good for them. So why bitch now. I sure dont want to agree with caregiver but maybe they are right on this point. I have been in the same position as the hospital neighbors for 20 years now. I take great satisfaction in extending my middle finger as high as possable.
“I’m smarter than the people who moved next to the hospital thinking their property would be worth more money and KNEW there would somday be expansion.” [sic]
I must disagree with you. First, depending when those residents purchased their property, there could have been no way to expect the expansion of the facilities. Those residential properties were well established. Note that when they started using the helicopter at the hospital, there was not the hue and cry there is with this issue. Same goes with added ambulance traffic over the years. One might even pronounce that it was poor planning on the part of Management to anticipate added/expanded facilities.
As I proposed below, there are alternatives to neighborhood disruption, if the decision makers had chosen to take that route. It was Management’s decision.
I am not at all insensitive to the aims and purpose of the hospital. Nor am I adverse to their being a major payroll in the community. But, just as you and I are neighbors, and must respect each others rights, so too must the hospital. And given their size, it behooves them to be leaders in such a concept in our community.
One more concept that concerns me. The right to have and hold property is sacred in our country. It is no small issue. When someone comes along with the belief they wield more power, it is expected that the rights of all will be honored.
That is the job of our elected officials, to make sure our rights are protected from perceived abuse.
It’s not Mercy’s fault the neighbors don’t like the noise the generators make. The posibilty DID exist when those people moved there. And they took the gamble anyway. That’s not Mercy’s fault. Did they think the hospital would stay small while the population grew?
This is nothing more than the neighbors wanting the hospital to foot the bill for economics Mercy has no control over. Personaly the noise wouldn’t bother me and I would work with Mercy to build a barrier. I wouldn’t use them to cover any “supposed loss” on the sale of my home. Again….lives are more important to me than money. And I don’t blame others for my choices.
Also Mercy is not trying to take anyone’s home. They gave the owners more money for them than they would have gotten selling it private. Plus they sold them to the public for $1. Does that sound like they’re ogres? Doesn’t to me. And I don’t see where there was any “eminent domain” event happening. All houses bought were not TAKEN under duress. So please don’t stretch things to fit your agenda. Mercy has been expanding for years. So it wasn’t just sprung on neighbors out of the blue. I know people who sold to Mercy. No complaints from them.
“I don’t understand why you would want to put generator on site.”
There is already a generator on-site. It may not be sufficient or lack capacity for extended use, this I cannot be sure of.
I am going to suggest that if they need to expand, vertical integration should be the byword. Many facilities in populated metro areas already use that concept to upgrade and expand in cramped quarters.
It is not at all hard to add a new utility vault with back up generator underground. Same goes for adding an expanded shipping/stores department. And not a new concept either. It moves ancillary functions away from the neighborhood, and even frees up space for patient services.
The funny thing is, if I thought of it, how come it did not occur to Management? Such an idea would have made the project a non-issue!
Having delivered to the docks at Mercy, they need to expand/move them as planned. In this case, it isn’t the receiving facility but the way the docks are situated.
You’ve stated you obviously don’t know all the history but yet you claim to know more or are smarter than Mercy and me.
I’ve followed Mercy since at least 1968. If you don’t know the entire story why are you making judgement calls?
Are you still at it “crapgiver”? Now, when you say that you have followed mercy since 1968, don’t you really mean that they have been following you as a “case study” since then? That there should prove that mercy doesnt know what they are doing if its been taking them this long on you. Go to a hospital where they can give you the help you need instead of this one just taking your money.
I’m surprised Mayo hasn’t bought Mercy Hospital yet. They’ve bought out all the other hospitals within a 60 mile radius. It’s all part of the Mayo health system.
That would be too good for this town. Mayo is too classy. Mercy is about right.
Mayo “manages” those other hospitals. They are part of Mayo’s “network.
Just as Mercy is part of Trinity Healths Network. a.k.a. the “Catholics”.
I doubt they will be selling out anytime soon. Mercy has been in MC since early 1900’s.
http://www.mercyhealthnetwork.com/about/trinityHealth.shtml
almost died then got 8 bills in mail
March 8, 2013 at 8:59 pm
At the rate people are driving to Rochester just to avoid Mercy, they should think about that.
You know this how?
I don’t understand why you would want to put generator on site. Put it out by fairgounds and bury cable to Mercy. This would serve 2 items. Not all of Mercy would be in one spot and if you needed power for a large shelter it would be they also
Yeah dig up the ground all the way from West Campus to Mercy along the highway, through neighborhoods tearing up yards and sidewalks and streets and past all those businesses along the highway makes perfect sense. Riiiiiight. LMAO!
Since you think its ok,we’ll move it to your back yard so you can look and listen to it. If its anything like the inside of your head i’m sure there is plenty of room for it.
I’m smarter than the people who moved next to the hospital thinking their property would be worth more money and KNEW there would somday be expansion. Now they want Mercy to pay for their own stupidity. They’re putting money ahead of lives. Greedy bastards. The noise wouldn’t bother me at all since I would have CHOSE to move next to it and not forced to live by it. duuuuh. These whiners are like someoe who moves into the country then complains about manure smells.
Just the way it is anywhere one goes. I and many others don’t want another hog confinement built anywhere in Cerro Gordo county due to many quality of life issues. Tough Luck! As major employer shouldn’t the council do whatever possible to help mercy grow with the many good things it brings to the community? Many think so and I do too
Hang on Bobby,you disagree with Peter? Be prepared for accusations of being a Mercy hack or Bookmeyer. Peter’s incompetence is evident in everything he writes, which is why they call it the “Peter Principle”. These home owners and Peter should be mad at the people that sold to Mercy NOT Mercy or the City Council. I am glad LVS is starting to agree with Peter again , except didn’t he ALWAYS agree with Peter?
@Reggie-No, I have not always agreed with Peter, but I have always disagreed with the sneaky, Drunkmaster lover, one percenter that you are.
LVS using name calling as a retort…who’de a thunk!?!?
@Reggie-read your own post, or better yet get someone to read it to you. That way you might just understand it.
LVS you want me to read and understand MY post?Ha Ha obviously you don’t.
@Reggie-Good for you. You found someone to read it to you.
To “caregiver’ aka “crapgiver”, have you noticed you are the only supporter on this so far? Yes, the hospital was there when people bought their homes, so was a school, a filling station, and about 30 other homes at one time. How much real estate does the hospital need, when is it going to be enough? When the hospital bought up the last neighborhood and put in a parking lot why didnt they do the responsible thing in utilizing the space they already had and put in a parking ramp? All other “big” hospials have them. Last I knew, the hospital still claims to be a “NON-PROFIT” org., I say B.S., have you ever received a bill from mercy, their rates and prices are higher then neighboring hospials. THEY ARE MAKING A PROFIT. Mercy might be one of the cities largest employers but they still are not paying taxes in this town. Large loss for the city on a business that makes money in this town.
It’s mostly boneheads that live on this site so why would there be other sensible posts. duuuh. But I see Wolfy’s on board with me.:)
Non profit doesn’t mean they’re claiming they don’t make a profit. It means an organizatiion doesn’t claim nor keep the profit as income. IF you can comprehend look non-profit up in the dictionary. sheeeesh and you mock me. HA!
The hospital needs as much as it takes to serve the # of people who utilize it.
Critisizing and trying to set limits on a hospital for trying to serve the needs is ignorant. imo.
If you act crappy I’m going to give you crappy back. Anyone who can’t take it shouldn’t shoot their mouth off in the 1st place. Can’t take the heat then stay out of the kitchen.
So you do agree that they are making a profit or at least somenoe is in their org. Explain then why they are not paying taxes in this town then. Try reading my statement again and try to comprehend this time around.
P.S. I know crap when I see it and your right, you can give it out because your full of it! Hardy Har Har.
Your lack of comprehension isn’t my fault. I know exactly what I meant. The other poster claims Mercy is saying they’re “non profit” because they don’t make profit. I merely pointed out that is NOT why they claim non profit. Your lack of comprehension is why I pointed to Wiki.. The other poster is the illiterate bonehead. Not me.
@ bystander, Mercy is owned by the Catholic church’s health organization. Church’s don’t pay taxes. duuuuuh.
http://www.mercyhealthnetwork.com/about/trinityHealth.shtml
Oh, the Catholics uh, that explains it. I suppose that money goes towards lawyer fees the Church has incured over the last 20 years. Do you attend Church services at mercy on a regular basis then “crapgiver”?
I’m sure in your “mind” you knew exactly what you meant. I never said anything about you being an illiterate bonehead, though I think your the latter. It is obvious that you can read or at least have someone read it and then explain it to you. By the way do you find yourself having to say “duuuuuh” alot in your life? I bet you do.
Wrong again. I’m not Catholic. I wouldn’t have to say duuuuh so much if the boneheads would user their heads for something besides trying to assume to be “in the know” when the truth is obvious they aren’t. I just have to get down on their level & speak their language in order for them to comprehend. Educated language is beyond their comprehension. (clue: notice I don’t call everyone bonehead or use duuuuuh in every post. Just for the boneheads.) You could have just as easily looked up the info sight I posted instead of trying to make me look like the bonehead. duuuuuh.
One, I never said that you were a Catholic and two, you dont need my help with looking like a bonehead, you seem to be able to do that on your own. I think that comes naturally for you. When you say you have to come down to their level are you coming down off of your high horse?
caregiver: the hospital is non profit because it is church affiliated. catholic at that. no profit because all the money you help them make goes to support child molesters. shame on all of you at that hospital for supporting child molesters.
Will all you MC finest ignorants scream foul when there’s no electric power for 3-4 days such as back in 1991 and one of you relatives is on life support? You all think the $ is worth more than human lives.
Those money hungry snooty neighbors KNEW Mercy was there when they moved in. Wouldn’t take rocket science to know they’d expand. duuh. Now they can’t get an extra $50,000 for their ancient ruins so they want Mercy to give it to them. Hope they lose their asses.
Anyone who bchs about hospital expansion is about as ignorant as it gets.
Speaking of gas….Ol’ queer Petey is just another ol fart trying to sound important.
Have you ever heard of a “generator” ? You can buy then all over town. No one will die because the lights go out. At the Mercy your chances would be just as good even if the lights stayed on.
And you do know that part of this project is generators, right?
Peter , well thought out response. Mercy could buy a portable generator and put one in every room? You are kidding right?
At the rate people are driving to Rochester just to avoid Mercy, they should think about that.
Maybe they could buy candles too for when the lights go out. I think the lights in your brain have gone out.
Let me guess…Dr. Bookmeyer?
Yeah I’m just sure Dr. Bookmeyer reads the NIT wits/twits posts.
“Dr. Bookmeyer.” Baaahhaaaahahahahah. I almost fell off my chair when I read that. You just can’t make this shit up.
I can see you got your education in the alley behind the local pub on the N End.
Once again, this council did not stick up for the citizens of our community. This city has taken a marked and detrimental turn with this council and mayor. It just keeps getting worse and worse. More and more people will be moving out due to no jobs and higher and higher taxes and it will just spiral, STOP THE INSANITY AND VOTE THESE BUMS OUT! LET”S TAKE OUR TOWN BACK BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!
Once again, this council did not stick up for the citizens of our community. This city has taken a marked and detrimental turn with this council and mayor. It just keep getting worse and worse. More and more people will be moving out due to no jobs and higher and higher taxes and it will spiral, STOP THE INSANITY AND VOTE THESE BUMS OUT! LET”S TAKE OUR TOWN BACK BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!
Mercy runs the city
Well they are the largest most important employeer in MC. Wassa matter you get fired from there? waaaa.
Money talks and BS walks. No shortage of funds in health care. That hospital is getting much bigger before all the baby boomers are gone and then it’s gonna be like the dark ages. Massive buildings left standing with all the old people gone.
Then the real party can begin. I’ll be sad to miss it.
What have you been smoking? There will ALWAYS be a need for a hospital. duuuuuuuuuuh. It’s already been around longer than some of those houses that will be in ruin long before any hospital would be.
Once the boomers are gone, the hospitals will be filled with the dopers from the current generation that don’t want to be rehabbed but can’t function in society.
It has been a long tradition in this city to give Mercy anything/everything they have ever wanted.
While the current Council is particularily spineless, I have NEVER seen any Council deny Mercy anything.
And do tell what have they asked for that they haven’t needed to serve 1000’s of MC citizens and surrounding N Iowa? They aren’t a factory you do realize.
Good points Peter-Mercy dictates and the city council follows.
Wrong bozo. Healthcare needs and populus dictate expansion. Hell they’ll even take care of creepy people like you. 5 East always has an opening.
@crapforbrains (caregiver)-I am one of the people smart enough to go to Mayo instead of a place that has the highest infection rate in Iowa. Don’t you even talk to me about Mercy. The damn place almost killed me before I started going north. It is all about the money with that place. $16,000 for one nigh without even a meal and then they say they couldn’t find anything wrong. It is a B.S. Vet hospital that is constantly screwing the people of Mason City. They should be paying taxes as there is nothing non-profit about them.
I have to say that I had a horrible experience at the Mayo Clinic and I’d have to be on my death bed to go back. I came back to the MC Clinic and got properly diagnosed when I went there for followup treatment ordered by Mayo.
@Katie-what I said really happened to me but, on the other hand my wife was in Mercy and received excellent care