YOUR AD HERE »

Doris Zimmerman: Vote yes on hospital bond issue

Doris Zimmerman

To the Editor:

Several times in the past few years, my family has experienced the hardship of having a loved one needing cancer treatment. In each case, treatment was not available in Craig. Even going to Steamboat for chemotherapy is hard when one is very sick.

Radiation and other treatments are only available in Grand Junction or Denver. This is where real hardship comes in. Sick people need to be at home with their family, friends and pastors. Some have little time to live and must spend that precious time isolated in a motel, campground or other uncomfortable situation. The pain of that is almost unbearable for the patient and family. Families must spend much of their resources on gasoline, mileage on vehicles, lodging and restaurants.



Some of you think it will not happen to you and you don’t want taxes raised. Please think again because we are all vulnerable at any time to cancer. These things happen to almost every family at some point.

No one wants to pay extra taxes, and it will be a burden for some people. The average home price in Craig is $145,479. The amount per family at that level will be $34 per year. This is less than one tank of gas to drive to Steamboat.



We have some new and very competent doctors who came here with the expectation of being able to have space for the newest technologies to diagnose and treat critical illnesses. There is not space in the present building for new equipment.

Businesses seeking places to move look closely at the infrastructure of a town and especially at the medical facilities before choosing a site.

New businesses provide jobs.

This is the most important bond issue we have had in many years. Prices of building this hospital are going up 10 percent each year. The people and businesses of Moffat County have paid or pledged $1 million for start up money, which will shrink with every passing year.

I urge you to vote yes on the hospital bond issue. I urge the planners to think big and include cancer treatment facilities.

Doris Zimmerman

Craig


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.