Mark Kindt wrote:As I have written in other posts this fall, it has been made clear to me that the City of Lakewood does not believe that it has the ability to restore or fund a department of health at this time or in the near future.
I appreciate that Mr. O'Bryan started this thread and that we could each witness public policy in actual formation between the City and the County.
Be well. Stay Safe.
Mark
It is still a good idea. But as it was explained to me, it would take changes to charter again, which means a vote at some point. Then it could be another 5-10 years before the new Health Department could or would be certified. Until then, all we have is a department that costs money and has no real oooooomph behind it. OF course that could be where #-Arches steps up and starts to heal some of the damage most of their board brought onto this community.
We can all play games like let's pretend we are a charity giving money away at fancy parties. But no Lakewoodite should ever forget, the money that would have brought our hospital up-to-date and fully functional was absorbed by that group. Much of the same group working overtime to close our hospital and largest employer. A good start to helping us all forget that would be funding a new health department.
Another thing Lakewoodites always forget, the Health Department used to oversee Lakewood restaurants. Now with that closed we are at the mercy of the county, and when and if they ever come by and check on food safety. For a group that wanted us to become vacation land on the lake, killing the Health Department was insidious. Of course why have a department that would say closing a hospital for $1 is stupid.
While the Health Department is out of reach right now it will be interesting to see if Council can focus on more than 30 days ahead of themselves, and look long term.
Thanks for sharing the words and the time, merry christmas!
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