During the Farm-City celebration, I helped poll possible voters who had come to the square for Farm-City Days. I walked around the courthouse area from 8 o’clock to almost noon. As I walked, I asked folks if they were Allen County voters. I talked with hundreds of visitors that day and MANY of them were from outside of Allen County. If the quarter-cent sales tax vote for a new hospital passes, next year all those visitors who come to Iola for Farm-City, ball tournaments, Bowlus events or for any reason, will be helping us pay for a new hospital.
The decision to build a new hospital has not come quickly nor has it been easy. To think that only means that you have not been there for the many, many hours of meetings and travel that have occurred. No one on the county commission, the city commission or the Hospital Facilities Commission thinks it has been easy or quick. The decision to build a new hospital has been carefully considered and thought through. I believe it has been a job well done.
In my visits regarding the YES vote, I have talked with folks from all walks of life. Some have mentioned that those who can least afford the sales tax will be adversely affected. I have talked with many of those folks. They want a new hospital as much as anybody. They told me they couldn’t afford to go out of town for health care. Each trip out of town is a hardship and that’s if they can figure out how to go out of town. This hospital is for all of us!!
Recently I read a graduation speech in which the speaker said, “The negative voices always seem to be the loudest. Don’t you believe it.” Folks, we have a future right here in Allen County. You will never find a better bargain than 7 cents a day for a new hospital. We must invest in our future as our forefathers did for us. I ask you to vote YES for Allen County Healthcare TODAY.
Your friend,
Mary Kay Heard
Iola, Kan.
