Larson says the sky is falling … but not all of the sky

Frontiersman editorial board

Two months ago, Valley Hospital sounded an alarm -- it needed clear title to its land in Palmer or its partnership with Triad Hospitals would be jeopardized.

Valley Hospital CEO George Larson was the harbinger of this doomsday news, telling the Palmer City Council it needed to release the covenant on the land it donated to the hospital and implying that if it didn't, the council would be responsible for the downfall of a community-based hospital.

When Larson sounded that alarm, we reported it. Immediately Larson called to scold us, telling us that we had blown the situation out of proportion. He even suggested he'd send out an e-mail to hospital workers explaining that Frontiersman had gotten it wrong. A few meetings later, though, he was back at the public podium with the same warnings for the city council -- sell or give us this land, and do it now, or take the blame of a failed merger. And again we reported it.

We have also reported on how the Palmer City Council has responded -- seriously and thoughtfully. As the council members discussed the possible options, they always kept the focus on what would be best for Palmer. They fought Larson's pressure to make a quick decision, and took the time to consider a more than 60-year-history of Palmer and Valley Hospital working together while also recognizing a changing future.

Ultimately the council was torn, both individually and as a group, but opted to sell the five acres for roughly its assessed value, $120,000.

While we are not certain this was the best decision, we are sure of several things. We are sure the council responded as well as it could under serious pressure, and that all along it kept the best interest of Palmer in mind. And we are also sure Valley Hospital sounded loud alarms and then balked when we made those alarms public.

In the end it was Mayor Jim Cooper who made Valley Hospital's point the best -- without the real estate assets, including the land, Valley Hospital could lose power within the partnership and the community could lose its local control.

This is a valid point. Local control is important. So is the fate of publicly donated land. What is perhaps most important, however, is that this community know what is at stake and how our public officials are responding.

To the city council -- we applaud your hard work and thoughtful consideration. You have proven to be true stewards of our trust.

To Valley Hospital -- don't yell that the sky is falling and then be surprised when people start running.