proposed toll increase on the Greenway

Sorry to interrupt with this totally on-topic post, but here is the latest e-mail from Scott York on the topic:

"Just wanted to let you know where this matter stands.

The public hearing process is now over. The SCC staff noted the considerable public concern and interest related to this matter. Thank you for making your voice heard.

The Hearing Examiner has set January 13, 2004 as the date for both the Greenway operator and SCC staff to file briefs on this case. It will probably take several weeks from the January 13 date for the Hearing Examiner to issue her report to the Commissioners of the SCC. I will continue to keep you informed of the status of this matter and when future documents are available.

Please accept my sincere best wishes for a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Scott York"

--Joy

 

The county did the right thing, Cliff. Hughes is a philanthropic organization that deserves tax exempt status. The county realized that. Also, I am glad to hear that you think churches should be taxed. I say tax them like gas is taxed in Europe!

To keep this on topic, though, I support an increase in the toll IF and ONLY IF the toll is distance based and there are provisions to assist with low-income residents.

 

Chris, in my view, these suggestions are totally irrational. Are you also the guy who is pushing not to have the hospital built in your backyard? If you are...this is quite insightful!

 

More insightful hyperbole, thank you Chris.

Hyperbole Description:

"The argument draws a conclusion that is stated more strongly than the evidence actually supports. This may include overstating the significance of findings and overstating the degree of certainty we can claim, as well as merely exaggerating the nature of the phenomenon we are observing."

 

Chris, you speak of compassion quite a bit. Why not for HCA? Their transgressions happened several years ago and they have gone through many changes at the highest coporate levels. They paid their fine, changed management and made other significant changes. When will the anti-hospital people get of it?!!!!!

 

T8erman: What do you mean that they changed their management? Somebody has lied to you, my man! The Frist family (i.e., Senator Frist's family) founded the company and are still in charge! Look at HCA's website for golly's sake! The Frists were in charge of HCA through all the scandals and are still on the organization's Board! So, the management that got them in trouble is still in charge!

And Ashburn Farms General Manager (afgm), I have not used any hyberbole, much less hyperboly! But you sure have!

 

Humm, normally I would say "f HCA", but I work for MCI... enough said

 

I have been reading everyones posts and just finally have to say something. Regardless of whether you can afford the increase or not, a rip-off is a rip-off and thats what the cost of the greenway is.

 

Here! Here!

 

Rick Scott was in CEO of HCA starting in 93. Frist took back control in late 97. The fines HCA paid were during Scott's tenure. so yes, manangement has changed.
But the Frists are Republicans so I guess you dislike them just for that, even if they are noted for their philanthropy.

 

If you check the complete corporate history, there has ALWAYS been one or more Frist on the borad of HCA. A board is supposed to have oversight, right?

 

I am sure a Frist has been on the board, but what was their power base after the merger? Everyone was making money so why rock the boat? How many companies submit/succumb to the will of the CEO? I worked for GE many years ago and do you think ANYONE would contradict a decision by Jack Welch? From what little research I have done, Rick Scott was a very greedy and controlling individual (he is a lawyer for cryin out loud! hehe).
All I know is that HCA has made major changes in the way they do business since the 97' fines.
Here is a grassroots corporate watchdog site that once had HCA in their "Hall of Shame", shows some of the changes HCA has made... http://www.infact.org/hcareprt.html

 

T8erman: You claim that the Frists are such great "philanthropists" but you make excuses for them when they don't "rock the boat" about HCA's corporate mis-deeds?

 

chris - to me, 1997 is ancient history. The question for me is, "is HCA a good company now?". I have been mostly to Reston hospital for whatever ailments I have had. I have never had any issues or concerns.

 

T8: The new "HCA" really has no track record. Given the depths of the company's past mis-deeds, I would like to give them some time (10 or so years) before saying that they are reformed.

 

Chris,

There is no logic in your "reform" conclusion. If you look at LHC in 1997 you will see an extremely mismanaged organization. I assume you don't think that now. What makes you think HCA can't accept change the way LHC seems to have? Both organizations have clouded pasts, both seem to have worked on improvements. To me a look at historical performance does not benefit either organization. They both have worts that they have tried to remove. Recent history shows more of the character of both of these organizations.

 

afgm: Pardon me, but when was Loudoun Hospital EVER charged with defrauding taxpayers like HCA was?!? The answer is NEVER.

 

Chris,

You have an opportunity to re-capture some lost credibility if you could prove you researched the problems LHC had in the past. If you truly can objectively relay those issues, then I would think you have come to your conclusions with an open mind. Otherwise, you are just shooting from the hip, and just creating a lot of rhetoric without a lot of objectivity or facts.


Francis Bacon's definition of rhetoric:

[rhetoric is a technique making it possible] to apply reason to imagination, for the better moving of the will.

 

afgm: I have researched Loudoun Hospital and have found that the hospital is 100% free of federal and state fraud allegations. On the other hand, HCA's corporate mis-deeds are well known and documented. That's why I don't understand why so many people here are HCA cheerleaders. Is there a reason to support the robbing of the American taxpayer?