A reminder—The following towns have non-binding referendums to show support for a hospital reopening in Westwood: Closter, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Hillsdale, Montvale, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, River Vale, Washington Twp. and Westwood. ACT—Vote: YES
Unfortunately for this issue, WHO gets elected is also important. I have no doubt the DOH Planning Board members read the Rationalizing Health Care Resources Report, but apparently politics has a thumbprint of influence in its interpretation. It would have been nice if all politicians with input had actually read it too; then maybe we would have heard more rational analysis in their responses. We wouldn’t be left wondering; what will be the seasonal betting line for accessing a timely trauma response in the Pascack and Northern Valleys?
Lt. Governor candidate Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson’s August 2008 opposition letter, selectively quoted the State’s Report and DOH Commissioner, Heather Howard’s comments that were made before a Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee meeting. Ms. Howard acknowledged that in deed some hospitals may need to close but that the State had “operated far too long in a culture of crisis management … we’re trying to move to one of strategic management.”
It is within those last two words that Johnson, Weinberg and Corzine miss the value of the State’s Report. Strategic management is an active ongoing systematic process for achieving existing and long-term objectives. While some hospital closings may be argued on financial numbers, the safety net of health care isn’t simply defined as minority based; or union focused as alluded to in the Weinberg/Johnson letter. The Report presented a broad vision of concerns and a small Westwood located facility fits into that equation.
The following candidates are noted for your consideration, if a hospital’s return in Westwood is deemed important to the health and well being of residents in the northeast corner of New Jersey.
Governor: Chris Christie (Website: ChristieforNJ.com) .Assembly: District 39: Charlotte Vandervalk / Robert Schroeder (Website: TheTaxpayerTeam.com) District 40*: David Russo / Scott Rumana (Valley Hospital’s district) District 37*: Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz / Barry Bellin (Englewood Hospital’s district) * IF the decision to return a hospital is politically based, District 39 representatives may need support from their party members. Gordon Johnson of District 37 has already voiced his view that the hospital is a matter of race. With an African American president, one would have thought we could have moved on from such narrow views.
Westwood needs leadership to refocus the hospital property, one that reflects the community’s resolute determination for a reopened hospital.
Council: Gary Conkling / Gail Frasco (Website: WestwoodOpenYourEyes.com)Remember: We get the government we deserve by our decision to be involved or not. Apathy is not an excuse.
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