To say that there is interest in a petition to keep Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk would be an understatement. According to a note from Dunkirk’s Frank Beach on Facebook, the person who began collecting signatures, the number of signers has risen to 2,000.

In making the case for keeping the health-care facility in town, the document makes a call to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reconsider the present site. “Location is paramount to healthcare services in this area,” the petition states. “The current facility provides easy access to those visitors and patients with limited transportation availability and walk-ins. Many of our population use public transportation and rely heavily on CARTS buses. Brooks Memorial Hospital is easily accessible from the Thruway, Routes 5 and 20; and the heliport is less than one-half mile away.”

For those who want to add their name, email Beach at frankbeach1950@gmail.com. Petitions are located at Big Rick’s One Stop on Lake Shore Drive, Demetri’s at the corner of Lake Shore and Central Avenue, Dressed to Impress Doggie Spa on Lake Shore Drive, and Andre’s Ribs on Central Avenue.