WCMC still facing issues

As word continues to spread about the possibility that the new hospital in West Creek could be facing a denial of its permit, Goochland appears to be doing what it does best—come together.

As we’ve written in this space before, the idea that some governing agency will decide not to approve this request, when it means moving unstaffed, unfunded beds from one facility to an area begging for such a facility, is downright ridiculous.

But now, Goochland County residents are doing their part and digging for more information. And as evidenced by a front page story in the May 29 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, this isn’t the only community aware of the situation.

In the story, Chief Ken Brown of Goochland Fire-Rescue talked about the added strain the distance to other facilities not only puts on patients but on service providers.

When added to the long list of reasons why such a facility is needed, I can’t help but be even further convinced, especially considering I have yet to hear a rationale as to why this isn’t a done deal.

Do your part and send your comments and thoughts to the state’s commissioner of health, Dr. Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P., Virginia Department of Health, RE: COPN Request No. VA-7537, West Creek Medical Center, Inc.

County officials are accepting the letters until June 16. You can send them to H. Gregory Reid, Assistant County Administrator and Director of Economic Development, County of Goochland P.O. Box 10 Goochland, VA 23063.

There’s no place like home

With colleges having taken their turn, it’s now left to area high schools to begin graduating the class of 2008. And GHS will do just that Friday night.
Graduations are in and of themselves bittersweet—Kids want to take on the world but they also, in most cases, must leave family behind and split from the paths they used to share with their friends.

Goochland certainly has faults, as every locality does. But this county is also as family-oriented as any you’ll find. Here, people really do care. And that translates to the children who eventually grow into adults.

Regardless of a graduate’s future plans, Goochland will certainly have prepared them for doing right by each other.

So, as a large-portion of the town prepares to formally say goodbye to graduates this week, we here at the Goochland Gazette would like to wish the class of 2008 nothing but the best of luck in the future.

For the past four years and likely many before, we have been privileged to be even a small part of your journey and hope you’ll look to us to keep you up to date on what’s going on back home.