Frustration in the city over the lack of action to stop Brooks-TLC Hospital System’s potential move from Dunkirk to Fredonia speaks to a huge lack of recognition by city residents and those tied to its government. The private, not-for-profit’s plan to leave its current site on Central Avenue has been well documented since March 2016.

Since then, only one person has taken the time to protest or explore other possibilities: that is Frank Beach, who did not win election as a councilman at-large or to the assessor post last year. It was only Beach who mapped a plan to attempt to keep the hospital where it is — no one else. Not county legislators, Common Council members or other former elected officials.

For his part, Mayor Wilfred Rosas has indicated he wants the facility here, but understands closure could be a possibility if a new site is not built.

City resident Richard Makuch appeared to just be grandstanding last week in bringing up the dusty issue at a council meeting. The ills with finances and a decade of mismanagement at Brooks-TLC have been widely reported on these pages. No one in the community from 2013 until today seemed to care — except for one 2019 protest near the facility and a remark made at council last week.

It’s no wonder. Council members here are more worried about the small stuff, such as extending the terms from two years to six for the assessor and treasurer positions that should be appointed, not elected or trying to figure out why trees were cut down near Point Gratiot years ago.

Yawn.

Finally last week, the hospital’s future plight — ignored by this government sector — has become an important item. Shame on all those officials — past and present — who have been so quiet on this issue over the last five years.