Firefighters promoted; regional planning lauded; questions raised about Catoosa’s support of Hutcheson hospital.
In addition to the usual reports and requests — revenue continues to exceed expenditures by about $100,000 each month, spending $541,000 to un-grade the 911 dispatch center by mid-August was approved and several parcels of property were rezoned —the Catoosa County board of commissioners meeting on April 21 had a few new twists.
Development of a more professional fire and emergency services has resulted in a better trained, equipped and better staffed fire department.
It has also created a need for officers to lead these first responders. A dozen new fire deparment officers were presented to the commissioners
As part of the ceremony, the newly promoted lieutenants were presented red helmets, a readily identifiable symbol for the officer in charge during a response.
Chairman Keith Greene asked Chief Nichols about the requirements for promotion and was told the process included individual performance reviews, interviews and each candidate’s thorough evaluation by peers from another fire department.
Receiving their new red helmets were: Tim Bartlett, Donnie Busby, Chris Friar, Eston “Bo” Hammontree, Drew Hood, Brad Horne, Chris McCormack, Jess Sloan, Adam Smith, Ansel Smith, Zac Steele and Scott Van Fossen.
“These are the best of the best,” Greene said.
Planning for growth and development has been a guiding principle of commission actions during recent years with the county’s comprehensive growth plan has been a touchstone for decision makers.
But Catoosa County is not a selfcontained island, physically or economically.
That point was clarified when Bridgett Massengill, project manager with Thrive 2055, made a presentation about growth in a multi-state, 16-county area that includes Catoosa and its neighbors.
Preservation and protection of the region’s natural beauty and resources is a highlight of Thrive 2055, Massengill said, just as it is for Catoosa.
Nourishing a well educated work force is key to the region’s economic wellbeing, she said, something which Catoosa County residents and leaders have agreed on for years.
But perhaps the greatest need and most visible change concerns the necessity to improve the region’s infrastructure, particularly regarding transportation.
Among the region’s 1 million inhabitants, only Hamilton and Whitfield counties smaller populations than jobs, most living in Northwest Georgia are commuters. The needs of those traveling to and from their workplace, coupled with the fact that 80 percent of commercial vehicles traveling the area’s highways are in transit — they neither load nor unload cargo anywhere in the region — means coordinated planning is crucial to development as well as maintaining quality of life for local residents.
Following the presentation that reinforced the value of planning for the future, several residents asked their elected leaders about their vision regarding Hutcheson hospital.
Holly Trotter, a Hutcheson employee and Dietz Road resident, said that after hearing the Massengill’s presentation she could think of no other business that better epitomized the goals of Thrive 2055. She then asked the elected officials about any plans for the hospital and implored them to “let bygones be bygones and work for the good of the community.”
Greene responded that as far as Hutcheson, county leaders have been working on resolution hospital-related problems for a long time. “We’re not the bad guys,” he said. Elected officials are obligated to protecting the taxpayers and while doing what provides the greatest public benefit, Greene said.
“Three years ago it looked like a turnaround was possible — things changed,” he said. “None of us want the hospital to fail.”
Greene said the county continues to work with the hospital’s creditors, and with the hospital, but the amount of debt is staggering.
“We can’t assume the financial liabilities — $80 million is too much for any county or any two counties to assume,” he said. “It is hard to develop strategy without an accurate accounting of what is going on.
“This county has been made a lot of effort ot work with the others, we want to make the right decision for Catoosa County.”
Another audience member and Hutcheson employee, Kay Honea, asked about Erlanger, and why, as a major creditor, it wants Hutcheson’s federal bankruptcy proceedings to shift from Chapter 11, a reorganization plan, to Chapter 7, a closing and total liquidation Hutcheson.
“Is there an iterim plan,” she asked.
Greene replied that he and all involved “are as frustrated as you are.”
When Trotter offered her opinion that it seems Catoosa supports Erlanger’s request for a move into Chapter 7 and closure, county attorney Clifton “Skip” Patty responded that was not the case.
“The county has not asked to convert to Chapter 7,” he said. “Regions Bank (a secured creditor) is really the one that controls the fate of the hospital.”