The July 1 edition of The Natchez Democrat delivered the news everyone expected “Hospital deal moves forward,” with the sub-heading “Board approves case as economic project.”

I agree whole heartedly with the editorial in last Sunday’s Natchez Democrat that the economic project classification, in this instance, does not meet the definition of an economic project set forth by the Mississippi Development Authority. But let’s put that opinion aside and focus on the details contained in this article.

The certificate of public convenience granted by the MDA, says the prepaid taxes can be paid through July 2031 at a rate of $675,000 a year starting in February 2015. The Natchez Democrat was kind enough to do that math for us, stating that 17 years at $675,000 per year, equals $11,475,000 in prepaid taxes. Board of Supervisors attorney Scott Slover said “the $675,000 payments — and the time frame — are structured to reflect the bond payments.”

What in the world happened to the $8,000,000 in prepaid taxes that we were told previously? Has the City of Natchez and Board of Aldermen agreed to an additional $3,475,000 in prepaid taxes going toward bond payments, without making that decision known to the public? Will the purchaser still pay the full $10 million up front payment promised previously or will this $3,475,000 be deducted from that?

As usual, all we have are questions. We are told one thing, and then something different from what we were told takes place. Folks, if this deal goes through, so many details will be swept under the rug that we will never know what happened. Yet everyone will praise the lord that we are now out of the hospital business. Can I get a hallelujah?

Never mind that we gave away possibly the largest asset the county owns for peanuts.

Never mind that we will be in the hole to the tune of $675,000 per year for the next 17 years for tax dollars dedicated to paying off our mortgage on a property that we no longer own. We will indeed be out of the hospital business.

It seems strange that I saw an article recently that said Field Memorial Hospital in Centreville is building a new facility. It seems I recall seeing an article stating that Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday had been generating monthly profits for some time now. I had a conversation the other day with a doctor associated with Franklin County Hospital in Meadville and was told that facility is doing well.

It makes you wonder if the entire rural health care business has gone to pot, as we have been lead to believe, or if those facilities just might be doing better because they have better leadership in place?

But heaven forbid that we question the leadership that has lead Natchez Regional Medical Center into bankruptcy twice now in 5 years, while squandering a $9.79 million cash windfall in 1 year, as long as they get us out of the hospital business.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are on board with that, you have drank the Kool-Aid they are selling. The Rev. Jim Jones would be proud.

 

Chuck Fields

Adams County Resident