Newspaper Page Text
Fund Drive Eyed
Powell Gives Hospital SIO,OOO
from front page
emergency room,
DEBTS
The $140,000 would pay off
all the hos¥ital‘s current debts
except for funds owed to Floyd
Medical Center (FMC), which
provides contracted manage
ment and supply services to
Oak View andv Chattooga
Hospital, he said. The $140,000
figure would include a partial
payment to FMC.
Paying off the debts by
Dec. 31 would demonstrate to
prospective physicians that the
community is serious about
kee(i)ing the hospital, Sweitzer
said. He asked for views of the
Authority on the alternatives
he presented.
Several said it was doubtful
that any financial institution
would ¥oan money to the
Authority, even on a tem
porary basis. None indicated
support for closing the
emergency room.
COMMUNITY
Ben Mosley, an Authority
member, said if the entire com
munity became involved in
raising funds, it would
demonstrate to firospective
doctors — seen as the longterm
hope for survival of the
hospital — a determination to
save the facility. ;
McGinnis noted that the
commupitydwas involvede(iinba
springtime drive sponsored by
tfie Rome Shrine Club that
resulted in $20,000 being given
to the facility.
If everyone in the county
would give $lO to the hospital
over a threemonth perio«f. its
current financial woes would be
solved, said Dr. Hugh Good
win, another Authority
member.
McGinnis named Mosley
chairman of a committee to
develop fund-raising sugges
tions E)r the full Authority.
Other members incluge
Richard Pewitt, a member of
the Authority, Katherine
Camp, Authority member
emeritus, and Sweitzer.
A called meeting of the
Authority may result from the
committee sessions.
PHYSICIANS
There are three classes of
seven physicians each in
FMC’s residency program,
Sweitzer said. At least four
members of the 1939
graduating class are ‘‘very
good prospects for us,” he
added. .
The major stumbling block
to obtaining a commitment
from the prospective Chat
tooga doctors is whether the
hospital will remain open for
the‘f)oreseeable future. “We've
got to make some things hap
pen very quickly to get these
physicians,”” he asserted.
New doctors won't come to
the community on faith that
the hospital's finances will
somehow be solved sometime
in the future, Sweitzer warned.
A social gathering has been
scheduled tentatively for later
this year to acquaint interested
physicians with the communi
ty, he said. Details haven't
been worked out but the dinner
will be sponsored by the Chat
tooga CEamber of Commerce,
Sweitzer noted.
FINANCES
Financial reports reviewed
by the Authority showed that
the hospital recorded a $21,389
deficit in September. The
deficit so far this fiscal year has
already reached $82,0{9.
A total of $161,281 in gross
revenue was recorded last
month, along with $41,892 in
deductions from revenue. The
latter figure includes $31,008
in Medicare adjustments, up
from a budgeted $15,616.
Expenses in September
amounted to $13,748 while
debt service totaled $7,641, the
financial statements showed,
resulting in the $21,389 deficit.
Bad debts of $16,898 were
listed for September, compared
LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT
FORT PAYNE STOCKYARD, INC.
CATTLE AUCTION TUESDAYS AT 12:30 (CENTRAL TIME)
Hauling Available
Phone (205) 845-1028
BY ALABAMA AND U. S. DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE
Oct. 25, 1988
RECEIPTS THIS WEEK — 1,188
RECEIPTS LAST WEEK — 1,023
RECEIPTS YEAR AGO — 1,061
FEEDER CLASSES
BULLS & STEERS (GOOD & CHOICE):
200-300 pounds — 106.00-135.00
300-400 pounds — 96.00-119.00
400-500 pounds — 85.00-98.00
500-600 pounds — 80.00-90.00
STEERS:
600-800 pounds — 75.00-79.00
HEIFERS (GOOD & CHOICE):
200-300 pounds — 91.00-98.00
300-400 pounds — 85.00-90.00
400-500 pounds — 75.00-82.00
500-600 pounds — 67.50-76.00
600-700 pounds — 66.00-72.00
SLAUGHTER CLASSES: :
CALVES (GOOD & CHOICE):
SHWE 62.50-73.00
w BULLS
Utility — 52.00 Down H O
Cutter — 45.00 Down Bavy oBT oWn
Canner & Culls — 40.50 Down
to a budgeted $23,671.
The Eospital’s occupancy
rate fell from 24.04 percent in
August to 18.71 percent in
September. There were 174 pa
tient days recorded last month,
compared to 231 in August.
There were 571 emergency
room visits in September and
581 in August.
ADMISSIONS
Sweitzer pointed out,
however, that 38 patients were
admitted in September, down
only sli%htly from 39 in
August. Since most of the
hoes(fiital's patients are
Medicare-financed, the reduced
f)atient days may have actual
y saved the hospital money, he
added. Hos ita.F s aren’t reim
bursed for tg\e full cost of pro
viding care to Medicare
patients.
Morris Brunson, the
hospital's FMC financial con
sultant, said the facility’'s
assets to liabilities ratio in
September was .88 to one. An
ideal figure is at least two to
one, he said.
Story Results
In Volunteers
A story appearing in The Summerville News last week
resulted in 12 volunteers and a potential volunteer coor
dinator contacting Oak View Nursing Home or Chattooga
County Hospital.
The story outlined efforts by the facilities to establish
an organized volunteer program to assist hospital patients
and gak View residents.
Dan Sweitzer, executive director of the hospital and nur
sing home, told the Hospital Authority at its October
meeting Monday night that the volunteers resulted from
the newspaper story.
An in-service training program for the volunteers has
been scheduled for next Wednesday by Lisa Hall, Oak View
activities director, he noted.
Additional volunteers are still needed.
While the hospital was con
tinuing to lose money, Oak
View continued to post a profit.
Financial statements show
ed that Oak View had gross
revenue of $123,058 last month
and $115,380 in expenses, plus
$1,250 for debt service. Pl‘he
surplus in September was
$6,428. It has reached $24,022
so far this fiscal year. It re
mains 100 percent full
monthly.
LOWER PROFIT
Oak View didn't post the
amount of profit expected last
month, noted Sherry Bishop,
secretary-treasurer of the
Authority.
Sweitzer explained that
some one-time annual expenses
had been paid and that some
bills and accounts had to be
shifted since some bills had not
been paid in fiscal 1987-88.
In other matters, members
of the Authority toured the
hospital, Oak View and nursing
home addition prior to the
meeting.
Sweitzer explained that the
nursing home project is slight
ly behind schedufe because of
wirinf problems. However, the
time lost will be made up in a
week or two, he said.
Sweitzer said some $1,166
in change orders have been ap
proved. The Authority also
asked him to get sFecigc cost
proposals on relocating a
sgrinkler head connection for
the hospital to near the new
dininf hall. An earlier proposal
to relocate the connection to
Farrar Drive would have cost
some $4,300, Sweitzer told the
panel.
EQUIPMENT
Althmfih he had hoped to
purchase all the equipment for
the 63-bed addition from one
supplier, it will prove to be im
practical to do so, the executive
director told the Authority.
He presented six proposals
ranging from a low of $52,125
to $79,065 in cost. The
Authority gave its okay for
Sweitzer to spend up to
$65,000 on equipment for the
facility.
Dr. Goodwin said it would
be wise to purchase quality
equipment and have it last for
a number of yaars rather than
buying lower quality, cheaper
items and then have to replace
them in the near future.
LOAN
It's Fossible that the pro
ject, including e(luifiment pur
chases, may go slightly hi§her
than the $1.47-million loan
authorized by the federal
Farmers Home Administration
(FmHA), he told the Authori
%y. However, Joiner Smith,
mHA loan sgecialist, told him
that the Authority could app
ly for additional funds and
have a response back within 30
days, Sweitzer said. Smith sug
gested that the Authority wait
until about 30 to 45 days
before the project is completed
to §et a better idea of the costs
before seeking additional
monies.
The Authority decided to
switch its laundry service con
tract from Angelica, Rome, to
National Laundry, Chat
tanooga, Tenn., in 1989 for a
three-year period. The switch
will save around $6,000 per
year, according to figures
presented by Sweitzer.
Angelica’'s cost figure was
$98,961 while National's bid
was $92,780.
INSURANCE
It renewed its comprehen
sive insurance coverage with
Cooper, Brown and Currie In
surance, Rome. The premiums
nex:dyear will be $89,827, com
pared to $84,575 this year. The
new policy year will begin next
Tuesday.
A group of Rome
psychiatrists is deciding
whether its members will serve
prospective patients at Chat
tooga Hospital if a contract is
signed between the hospital
and Northwest Georfia
Regional Mental Health
Center, Sweitzer said. Under
the proposal, the hospital
woultf guarantee slightly more
than two beds for mental
health patients and pay the
facility some SIO,OOO per
month. A decision by the
gs{ychiatrists is expected
efore the Nov. 28 meeting, the
executive director indicated.
PHARMACY
The application process to
oobtain a retail pharmacy
license for the hospital has
begun, Sweitzer told ghe panel.
The pharmacy wouldn’t serve
the public, he emphasized, but
rather emergency room,
hospital and nursing home pa
tients. They woulan't be re
quired to bu¥l their prescrip
tions from the hospital but
would be given that opportuni
tK. The executive director said
the faciliti)l' would compete with
other pharmacists in the
county. M i)
Sweitzer said he is seekin,
more information on a federxfi
grant program that could pro
vide up to $50,000 %er year for
two years for the hospital to
study its role in the communi
ty. The rural hospital transi
tion grant couldp allow the
facility to develop marketing
plans and to better determine
its future role in the communi
ty, he said. Applications won't
be accepted until after Jan. 1.
“YES” ON 14
The executive director ask
ed the Authority to promote a
‘“‘yes’’ vote on Amendment 14
on Nov. 8. If a%)roved, the
amendment would allow the
state to create an indigent care
trust fund to help hospitals pay
for those costs. Any state
funds would be matched two
to-one by the federal govern
ment, he said.
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Nov. 4 is the day for the fall festival at
Summerville Middle School, and these
youn%sters are ready to see the prizes
distributed to the winners of the games.
Tip Leads To Arrest
Suspect Faces Drug Charges
A Summerville man was ar
rested on felony drug charges
last Friday afternoon after the
Chattooga County Sheriff’s of
fice received a tip about alleg
ed cocaine being sold in Norti
Summerville.
Gregory London, 32, 24 N.
Broad St., Summerville, was
charged with violating the
Georgia Controlled Substances
Act in connection with the in
cident. He remained in jail near
noon Wednesday.
Sheriff Gary McConnell
said Inv. Larry Kellett told
him that the sheriff's depart
ment received a call about 3:30
p.m. Ij‘ridail) claiming that three
men in a brown compact car
were allegedly selling cocaine
on Hawkins Drive.
SPOTTED CAR
Kellett, Chief Inv. Ron
Turner and Inv. Greg Latta
went to the scene immediately,
Sheriff McConnell said, and
spotted a brown vehicle oc
cupied by three people.
One occupant ran and was
chased down on foot by Kellett
and Turner, McConnell said.
While running, the suspect
threw down a brown bag, both
investigators reported.
London was captured after
the chase. Turner said the bag
contained drug paraphrenalia
and suspected cocaine residue.
The vehicle and the other
two men were searched but
notéxing was found, the sheriff
said.
TIPS
‘“We apPreciate the
assistance of the public,”
McConnell added. ‘“‘lt is
through tips and help like we
had on this case that help us
fight drug trafficking in Chat
tooga County. If anyone spots
anything suspicious, I want to
u;fie that the sheriff’s office be
called immediately. We'll be
glad to check it out.”
Burglars entered the home
of Ricky Campbell, Lyerly Rte.
1, on Monday and stole a .22
caliber rifle, .12 gauge shotgun
and video cassette recorder, ac
cording to a report filed by
Dep. Bill Blackwell.
SINKHOLE
Meanwhile, a 1988 model
car stolen from Willy Deaver,
Menlo Rte. 1, was recovered
from a sinkhole in Alabama
Sunday afternoon, Blackwell
reported.
Sheriff McConnell said the
Chattooga deputy and Sheriff
Jack Estes otP Cherokee Coun
ty, Ala., went to the scene
a{out 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The
car was about half-submerged
in water at the bottom of a 75
to 80-foot sinkhole, they
reported. The gas tank of the
car had been ripped off the car
as it crashed down the side of
the hole, they added. The
thieves had apparently then
fired several shots at the tank,
which was caught on the side
of the sinkhole wall, Deputy
Blackwell reported.
The hole was located about
two miles west of the Oak Hill
community.
Burglars also hit Penn
Hardware, Highway 27, Penn
ville, Monday night or Tuesday
morning, the sheriff said. Sgt.
Dan Young reported that t%]e
intruders tossed a four-foot
railroad crosstie through the
front window of the business.
Two chainsaws, a vacuum
cleaner, four trimmers and 12
fishing rods were stolen and
the building damaged,
Sergeant Young indicated. The
items were valued at $4,500.
BURNED
A 1978 model pickup truck
was found burned in the Peren
nial S;Frings community early
Tuesday morning, reported
Deps. David Westbroofis and
Don Bethune. It belonged to
William J. Miller, Menlo%te. 1
Reports 3uoted Miller as
saying he had had mechanical
Eroblems with the truck and
ad left it in the location
temporarily.
Fall Festival Prizes
From left are Jonathan Floyd, Kenya
Webb, Dustin Webb, Erin Hawkins and
Robert McWhorter. (Staff Photo By Rich
Jefferson).
Michael Cheaves, Valle
Head, Ala., reported the thet};
of his 1976 model car from
Chattooga County on Oct. 19,
stated a report ffied by Dep.
Ladon Lives))(r).
A bicycle owned by James
Matney, Summerville, was
stolen gaturday. reported Dep.
Lisa Davenport.
Juveniles are suspected of
puncturing a tire on a vehicle
owned by Billy Cooper, Lyerly
Rte. 1, last Fricfiay night,
reported Dep. Sgt. P. R. Hill.
Deputy Westbrooks also
reported that Mary Ellen
Bates, also known as Mary
Ellen Bell, 18, address not
listed, beat her head against a
back window in a sheriff's
patrol car until she broke the
glass late Friday night. She
was treated at Chattooga
Hospital.
ATTEMPT
- Sue Ragland, Georgia
Avenue, Summerville, was
awakened about 2 a.m. Satur
day by two youngsters attemp
ting to break in a window,
Westbrooks reported. They
fled on a bicycle after she in
vestigated a loud noise ap
parently caused by the attemp
ted break-in.
A 1966 model truck
reported stolen by Brenda
Shaver, Summerville Rte. 3, on
Thursday, Oct. 20, was
recovered that same day, ac
cording to a report filed by
Dep. Lisa Howefif) i
A shotgun was stolen from
Jeff Dooley, Summerville Rte.
3, on Oct. 20, reported Chief In
vestigator Turner.
ARRESTS
Among arrests made by the
sheriff’s office during the past
week were the following:
— Martha L. Money, 46, 18
10th St., Trion, was charged
Tuesday with writing a bad
check and released on SSOO
bond.
— Susan Covington, 20
Stevens St., Summerville, was
charged with criminal attempt,
criminal damage to property
and with being drunk Monday
night and released on SI,OOO
bond.
— Rebecca Diane Brown
ing, 21, Trion Rte. 2, was
charged with simple battery
l?un((fay and released on SSOO
ond.
— Brenda C. Browning, 40,
Trion Rte. 2, was charged with
simple battery Sun(fay and
also released on SSOO bond.
— Timothy M. Hall, 19,
Gaylesville, Af’a., was charged
with hunting with an improper
license, hunting without a
hunter safety certificate and
without possessing vehicle in
surance Sunday. He was releas
ed on SSOO bond.
FORGERY
— Vivian “‘Cricket”’ Green,
29, 59 11th St., Trion, was
charged with first degree
forger}sl' Saturday and was still
being held in the Bartow Coun
ty Jail for Chattooga
authorities near noon
Wednesday.
— Donald Randy Smith, 17,
Conley, was charged with hun
ting from a public road Sunday
and released on SSOO bond.
« — Thomas Charlie Laney,
62, 133 Tate Rd., Trion, was
charged with simple battery
lS)»al:tcllrday and released on SSOO
ond.
- — Glenda Dye Eden, 41,
Lyerly Rte. 1, was charged last
Friday with writing a bad
RUST SPOTS
If rust spots have appeared
on washabfiaofabrics, apgly a
rust stain remover. Read and
follow package directions. But
never use rust remover inside
a porcelain enamel washer. It
can harm the finish. After
treating the stain, rinse the
garment and launder with a
water softener, using water
softener in both laun%iry and
rinse, say Georgia Extension
Service clothing experts.
check and released on SSOO
bond.
— Helen Sue Jackson, also
known as Helen Bartlett, 20,
LaFayette, was charged Friday
with writing a bad check and
released on SSOO bond.
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IWILL...
e Operate YOUR commissioner’s office in a businesslike man
ner utilizing modern methods and be accessible to the public at all
times. :
e Cooperate with all municipal, county, and state officials
to create a more progressive county.
¢ Actively seek any and all state or federal grants for Chattooga
County.
* Work to eliminate any wasteful spending to better utilize every
tax dollar received.
* Cooperate with recreation departments in providing quality
facilities for our youth; our youth are the future of our county, state,
and nation.
e Work with all fire departments in order to achieve good protec
tion for all areas of our County.
e Continue to provide a quality ambulance service at the least
possible cost to taxpayers.
* Work toward properly maintaining all county roads and
bridges and, as funds permit, improve and properly identify county
roads.
e Cooperate with local and state agencies in seeking new in
dustry to create more jobs for citizens of Chattooga County.
* Keep the public informed of county matters through regular
public meetings and use of the news media.
.
| will serve all the people of Chattooga
" . s
County honestly, fairly and impartially.
TB T O T T A sSI B R
YOUR VOTE AND INFLUENCE
WILL BE APPRECIATED
T A A B T T R T D SR S RPSS RS S
THANK YOU,
PAID POL. ADV. — PAID FOR BY JiIM PARKER
The Summerville News, 'October 27, 1988 . .
Trion Council Meet Tonight
Traffic dproblems at Park
Avenue and Allgood Street will
:gain be on the agenda for the
rion Town Council when it
meets at 7 p.m. today. The
Council will afso discuss traffic
on Highway 27 and on Emory
Street.
Other old business will in
clude information on a new fire
truck the town plans to buy,
and a discussion of new mixers
Gold Kist, Inc., Ellijay, Ga.,
Is Looking For People
Who Are Interested
In Building New Houses
For Producing Hatching Eggs
In the Northwest Georgia Area.
If You Are Interested in Building
New Houses, Please Contact:
Davis Buchanan - 404-629-4464
or
R. W. “Bud” Graham
Ellijay, Ga. - 404-635-4991
tor the Trion wastewater treat
ment plant.
New business will include
opening bids for the town’s old
police car, a tractor and a van.
The mayor's Christmas
motorcade 1s scheduled for
Dec. 7, and the November
meeting will be held on Tues
day, Nov. 22, rather than on
Nov. 24, which will be
Thanksgiving.
D
17-A