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PUBLIC DISCUSSION ITEM - FRANKLIN TOMEY'S DEMAND THAT <br />COUNTY TAKE OVER INDIAN RIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL <br />Franklin D.R. Tomey, 271 6th Drive SW, Vero Beach, stated that <br />he came to bring the people's petition on the matter of the Indian <br />River Memorial Hospital. He asked how control of the hospital was <br />ever taken from the people and placed in the hands of a corporation <br />and why, if the people are supporting it with taxes, the people are <br />not receiving the profit, but the corporation is. He advised that <br />the people want the hospital returned to them and the Indian River <br />Hospital District. He stressed that since it is paid for by the <br />taxpayer, the taxpayer should have a say in how it is run and in <br />setting the rates. <br />Mr. Tomey recounted some personal experiences in the hospital, <br />calling the care and treatment of patients an abomination because <br />the hospital has too few employees. <br />Chairman Adams advised she had explained to Mr. Tomey on the <br />telephone that a different governing agency is responsible for the <br />hospital. She requested that Mr. Tomey confine his remarks to the <br />administration of the hospital. <br />Mr. Tomey wanted the Board of County Commissioners to quickly <br />ask the State Legislature to return responsibility of the hospital <br />to the county. When the BCC has control, he wants the rates <br />negotiated, because it is supposed to be a non-profit organization. <br />He also wants the County Commission to be accountable to the <br />taxpayers. <br />Mr. Tomey summarized by emphasizing that the people want <br />control of the hospital back: "of the people, for the people, and <br />by the people, and the people will continue to support it with <br />taxes." <br />Chairman Adams suggested that Mr. Tomey request his name be <br />placed on the agenda for a meeting of the Indian River Hospital <br />District so that he might address the proper group. <br />William Roolage, 11 Vista Gardens Trail, a concerned citizen, <br />agreed with Mr. Tomey and facetiously suggested the Board of County <br />Commissioners form a corporation to run the affairs of the county. <br />He then recounted his role as a former hospital district board <br />member who cast the sole dissenting vote against having a <br />corporation run the hospital, which he felt was the worst thing <br />that ever happened in this county. He claimed all theories of <br />August 6, 1996 <br />