There are reasons the Morgan County Board of Commissioners balked at backing $35 million in a bond issue for the construction of a new Morgan County hospital.

    And perhaps it was what was not said at last week’s special called meeting that is more telling, or at least illuminating, that what was discussed.

    Clearly the board has a problem backing the bonds. When Commissioner Donald Harris made a motion to support such a move, the motion was greeted with the sound of crickets.

    It was stone–cold, middle of the woods silence.

    Commissioner Andy Ainslie said clearly that the board was not will to support such a move. Given all the time that the Morgan County Hospital Authority and the Morgan County Board of Commissioners has had to study possible funding mechanisms for the new structure it should have come to no one’s surprise that the support for a bond issue was not there.

    Leaders are in the loop, or should be. Leaders are aware of the obstacles and conditions of success that the endeavor brings. Deal makers should know the odds before the hand is played.

    The board has been hinting for more than a month that a bond issue wasn’t settling just right. They made it official last week.

    What they didn’t say is that they would not support the construction of a new facility. No, that notion was left in play. There are several funding opportunities available. The board has been vocal recently on exploring options for funding.

    So the hospital is still in play. Very much so.

    What is curious is how the game will be resolved. The silence was curious. The reasons obscure.
    Stay tuned. This, we have a feeling, is far from over.

Printed in the May 28, 2009 Edition.