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DUNKIRK: In the dark on the hospital

Do Dunkirk Common Council members wear blinders? How in the world did they not see the relocation of Brooks Memorial Hospital coming?

In putting together a long-overdue resolution last week — more than a year after the facility announced its intentions to look for new sites — council members all sounded like they had been on vacation or out of town the past 13 months. Now with a decision being made to move the healthcare facility from Central Avenue to off Route 20 in the town of Pomfret, these members are trying to look as though they are looking out for residents’ best interests.

They’re all late to the issue. Here is a brief timeline of some missed opportunities by council members who think they were left out of the Brooks’ decision:

¯ Community meeting was held in September 2016 at Days Inn in Fredonia to discuss future of Brooks. No Dunkirk council members in attendance when hospital announces it wants some proposals for land for new facility.

¯ In February, Brooks and Kaleida Health announce they had whittled the list of potential sites from 24 to six. Where was council then?

¯ In July, Brooks and Kaleida announce the possible sites are down to two. Hello, council members?

¯ On Sept. 1, Brooks and Kaleida announce a decision on the new facility will be made by Sept. 30. OK council, a real deadline.

¯ On Sept. 29, Kaleida and Brooks announce the move to Pomfret.

¯ Council members on Sept. 30: Zzzzzz.

¯ Finally awake, on Oct. 17, Dunkirk council realizes it has a problem and puts forth a resolution to oppose the relocation of the facility.

So, just to recap: council had more than one year to start making noise about its opposition by the move of Brooks out of the city. It sat back and did nothing — until Oct. 17.

A word to city residents: anything else council members say on this subject is an excuse. If they did not know the move was coming — because there was plenty of warning — what’s the next big issue this group will be too late in addressing?

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