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This letter may start out a little corny and end the same way. Nevertheless here I go. As a Bruce Springsteen fan, I was delighted to see him and his band perform “We Take Care of Our Own” at the Grammys. Of course, the lyrics of this song refer to America in general. A little wryly, I thought to myself, well that could never be the anthem for Stafford County!
Sometimes we don’t think of our county as a unified entity trying to move forward as a county. I serve on the Stafford County Economic Development Council, created by the County Commissioners. We want to promote growth throughout the county as a means to combat the population drain of the county. Our reasoning is that if we keep the good merchants, schools, and service providers, and then addmore, a bit at a time, our quality of life will improve.
These efforts may attract those that enjoy living in small communities. More times than not, our conversations revolve around St. John. Stafford and Macksville receive some attention, and Radium and Seward, a tiny bit.
I am from Stafford. I figure that if something economically positive happens to another community in the county, there will be some “trickle-down” effect. Perhaps a new business will offer needed services. Maybe someone working in another community may find a house in Stafford and live here. The same is true with a business in Stafford. Of course,
I am speaking of the Stafford County Hospital. I understand that there are a variety of reasons for signing the petition against the no-fund warrants. We live in America and have the freedom to do so. I am simply asking if the effort to possibly put the hospital out of business outweighs the reason for signing the petition. It feels as if every signature is a vote against the future of Stafford as a community. If the hospital is allowed to close, it will predictably be the first flick of the line of dominoes that will fall. City utility revenues, local vendors and service providers, nursing homes, school – on and on - until the place is a ghost town.
Many people have good stories about the hospital and how the employees have cared for them or their loved ones. I know I do. I wonder what would happen if each of us gave to the Stafford Hospital Foundation. I don’t mean the whole debt. But what if you could spare $100 or $500 – or whatever amount? Help tick off the debts bit by bit (and receive a tax deduction)!
We have seen neighbors come together to help neighbors in time of need. That phenomenon is one of the great things about living in rural America. Wouldn’t it be great if this story ended up more like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” than “The Hatfields and McCoys”? Nobodywins in the second scenario.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo Taylor
This letter may start out a little corny and end the same way. Nevertheless here I go. As a Bruce Springsteen fan, I was delighted to see him and his band perform “We Take Care of Our Own” at the Grammys. Of course, the lyrics of this song refer to America in general. A little wryly, I thought to myself, well that could never be the anthem for Stafford County!
Sometimes we don’t think of our county as a unified entity trying to move forward as a county. I serve on the Stafford County Economic Development Council, created by the County Commissioners. We want to promote growth throughout the county as a means to combat the population drain of the county. Our reasoning is that if we keep the good merchants, schools, and service providers, and then addmore, a bit at a time, our quality of life will improve.
These efforts may attract those that enjoy living in small communities. More times than not, our conversations revolve around St. John. Stafford and Macksville receive some attention, and Radium and Seward, a tiny bit.
I am from Stafford. I figure that if something economically positive happens to another community in the county, there will be some “trickle-down” effect. Perhaps a new business will offer needed services. Maybe someone working in another community may find a house in Stafford and live here. The same is true with a business in Stafford. Of course,
I am speaking of the Stafford County Hospital. I understand that there are a variety of reasons for signing the petition against the no-fund warrants. We live in America and have the freedom to do so. I am simply asking if the effort to possibly put the hospital out of business outweighs the reason for signing the petition. It feels as if every signature is a vote against the future of Stafford as a community. If the hospital is allowed to close, it will predictably be the first flick of the line of dominoes that will fall. City utility revenues, local vendors and service providers, nursing homes, school – on and on - until the place is a ghost town.
Many people have good stories about the hospital and how the employees have cared for them or their loved ones. I know I do. I wonder what would happen if each of us gave to the Stafford Hospital Foundation. I don’t mean the whole debt. But what if you could spare $100 or $500 – or whatever amount? Help tick off the debts bit by bit (and receive a tax deduction)!
We have seen neighbors come together to help neighbors in time of need. That phenomenon is one of the great things about living in rural America. Wouldn’t it be great if this story ended up more like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” than “The Hatfields and McCoys”? Nobodywins in the second scenario.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo Taylor
