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City Council Candidates Talk Hospital Future

Candidates seeking re-election and election to the Clinton City Council addressed the city-owned Dr. John Warner Hospital at a recent "Meet The Candidates" forum at Clinton High School last week.

The DJWH last week decided they would turn the management of the hospital over to Alliant Management services, however, candidate Mike Bray says no matter what the Board does, they need to make sure the hospital stays in the community.

[audio:3301561952-33015hospitalcand1.mp3] [/audio]

Incumbent Commissioner Nan Crang calls the hospital "the backbone of the community". She has not discussed the situation at the hospital with the Board but rather the employees. She also notes it's only been in the last few months and feels it is way over her head.

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Challenger for Mayor, Roger Cyrulik believes as long as the DJWH keeps the designation "critical access hospital", it will always be in the community. He also believes aligning with a bigger hospital would be the same as hiring a management firm.

[audio:3301562001-33015hospitalcand3.mp3] [/audio]

Incumbent Jerry Milton disputes the label "band-aid station" the city owned hospital sometimes receives. He sees both the positives and negatives to having a management firm run the hospital.

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Clinton Mayor Carolyn Peters is in favor of the hospital remaining independent and knows firsthand its service to the community. She also expressed her support for the hiring of a management firm and points out the issues with having an independent CEO.

[audio:3301562008-33015hospitalcand5.mp3] [/audio]

Currently only five of seven seats on the Hospital board are filled. The Mayor is generall charged with bringing appointments forward for Council approval.

The City election is April 7.

Hear the Meet the Candidates Forum in it's entirety below:

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[audio:3251515531-32415MeettheCandidatesForumSeg.mp3] [/audio]

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