Editor, OBSERVER:

What a joke! But it is NOT funny. Mary LaRowe and Christopher Lanski from Brooks Memorial Hospital want the support of the community? Now!?

Now they want to work with the state Health Department, elected and union officials after they so blatantly disregarded their advice and directives?

This NEW hospital plan has been dragging on far too long, and appears to be dead in the water. Why else would they be making an appeal now?

LaRowe and Lanski need to read Page B2 in the Feb. 22-23 edition of the OBSERVER to see what could have been and what they turned away from 10 to 12 years ago. On that page is an article touting community support of the Westfield Memorial Hospital. This community was supportive of Brooks Hospital in the same fashion.

Westfield Hospital was in a bad situation, same as Brooks, but they worked with the community and see the results.

Too little, too late LaRowe and Lanski. If you had done what Westfield did, Brooks Hospital would be functioning well where it is, and no need for a new, small building.

ROSALEE OWEN,

Dunkirk

New facility site matters

Editor, OBSERVER:

I think that the closure of TLC and the moving of Brooks needs to be re-examined by the New York state Health Department.

If it is true, as Christopher Lanski stated in one of his letters to the OBSERVER, “Brooks-TLC is a critical provider in the region,” shouldn’t the new hospital be more centrally located?

Since Brooks lost — or is projected to lose — almost twice as much as TLC ($13 million vs. $7 million) shouldn’t it also be closed and a new medical facility (“The Northern Chautauqua Regional Hospital”?) be established in a more central location such as Center Road in Sheridan?

At this location, there would be no traffic congestion, and there would be sufficient space for the building(s) and parking. It would also provide everyone in this region with equal Emergency Care, hospitalization if necessary, and specialists’ offices.

I also am very leery of supporting an organization that has run so roughshod over the desires and needs of the people of this area. l urge everyone to contact the New York state Department of Health and tell them that the proposed relocation site is unacceptable.

Now is the time to speak up!

MARK S. LANGER,

Silver Creek