Consider the pros and cons

This is my first time to write to you so I hope you find my correspondence not to be too wordy or rambling, but there are a couple of things I need to say to many in Thermopolis and I hope this a good way to say it to the most people.

First, to all of you in Thermopolis who shared your love, your time and your memories with my daughters and myself during the passing of my wife, thank you. To live in a town where there is so much love is truly a blessing.

Secondly, there is another matter that has come to my attention. Previously I was so engrossed in my wife’s cancer that I paid little attention, but now having seen first hand as a result of my recent amputation and current recuperation in the hospital here in Thermopolis, I have had to personally deal with the problems the hospital faces. I am currently wheelchair bound and there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms, not public nor in the patient rooms. Being in the hospital is no picnic but when accessibility to restrooms, showers and offices is not possible it is most frustrating. The facility is showing its age, it was built in a time when handicapped individuals were not considered. If you or one of your loved ones were subjected to these inconveniences, you would not be pleased.

I am thankful that the hospital is here, I would not want to have to bet my life on a long ambulance ride to another facility in another town, even if it is only 30 miles. I want to have my care close to my family and friends.

It is my understanding that our hospital is in danger of closing and that displeases me. The additional tax increase, about 40 dollars per year, is a small price to pay to keep critical care here at home.

I remember the financial hit Thermopolis took when Empire Oil Co. closed, and I remember the financial hardship Thermopolis faced when TRW Reda Pump closed. I wonder, can we survive if the hospital closes and we lose all the jobs that will go away as a result?

I think that if you consider the pros and cons you will agree, 40 dollars a year is not too much to spend on our families’ future.