THERE COULD BE A NEW VA HOSPITAL IN HARRIMAN, TN

It's true!  If there is enough interest, and everyone pulls together, the hospital building in Harriman, Tennessee, soon to be vacated after a move of Roane Medical Center to new facilities in Midtown (2013), could become a new regional Veterans Hospital!  Are you willing to help?!

Here is an open letter to the citizens of Roane, Morgan, and surrounding counties:

March 1, 2012

To:                                                                                                                   

     National & State Officials

     Area Officials

     The Veterans Administration

     Area Leaders

     Media Representatives

Purpose:

     VA Hospital Donation

To All Invited Guests:

     Upon receipt of this letter you, or a representative of your office, are invited to attend a strategic planning discussion pertaining to the donation and development of a new Veterans Hospital in Harriman, Tennessee.  The proposed veterans facility will be centrally located in Roane County between the two existing Veteran’s hospitals (Nashville and Tri-Cities), and would provide assistance to a ten county area to supply much needed services to approximately 50,000 veterans who, now, are required to travel roughly 275 miles round-trip to access hospital care.  Such a project would not only benefit patients, but would serve to directly create approximately 250 jobs in the Harriman area, produce ancillary businesses to provide support services as well as generate an increase in revenue to existing businesses in Harriman, Kingston, Rockwood, and surrounding communities.       

     The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time to be held in Harriman, Tennessee at the American Legion Building, Post 53.  Post 53 is located in downtown Harriman, on Morgan Avenue, behind the Harriman Utility Building.

     The City of Harriman owns a 4-story, 75-bed hospital, equipped with a complete ER, 3 comprehensive surgical bays, and out-patient wing in downtown Harriman.  The property is debt-free, in excellent condition, and available for immediate development as part of a new veteran’s facility.  The hospital has recently become available due to construction of a new hospital on the east side of town.

     To facilitate development of a new veteran’s healthcare resource, the City of Harriman is offering to lease the hospital and land to the Veterans Administration for $1.00 per year for a total of $1.00.  Current schedules call for the existing hospital to complete its transition to the new site by the spring of 2013. 

     This is an exciting opportunity for the Veterans Administration, patients, the City of Harriman, and surrounding communities.  Patient needs will be better served, area veteran’s resources will be greatly enhanced, people will be put to work, new businesses will develop, and additional streams of revenue will flow into Roane County.  We are eager to have your participation and input regarding this endeavor.  Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated, and go a long way to making this undertaking a successful venture for all involved.

     Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Chris Mason, Mayor of Harriman at: mayormason@comcast.net.  You may also contact Steve McBay at: landmarkrealty@aol.com or Tommy True at (865) 607-0470. 

UPDATE: http://mushysmoochings.blogspot.com/2014/06/va-turns-down-1year-lease-offer-why.html