Cornell City Council - Hospital closures are going to affect everyone

Sandy Schecklman, Cornell City Council member, reported on the progress that’s been made Feb. 2, on forming a committee to oversee economic development in the downtown. The group will need to have passion and drive to follow through with effort, once it begins. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

In light of the recent announcement that St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital and Prevea Health are closing their doors in this area of the state, healthcare is foremost on everyone’s mind, even at the Cornell City Council meeting Feb. 2.

Buck Steele, Holcombe resident and outgoing Chippewa County Board supervisor, shared what is happening at the county level, as everyone is very concerned, especially about the mental health aspect, regarding the L.E. Phillips Rehab Center.

“We’ve been very lacking in mental health around here and that’s shut down now,” said Steele.

Steele also knows that emergency rooms will be overburdened, as well as a long drive for women in labor and an increased wait time for specialist appointments.

“Everybody is going to be affected, no matter what age,” said Steele.

Cornell city administrator Dave DeJongh also updated the council on the proposed school solar project, in that the city’s attorney agrees that the city likely does not have the ability to regulate the location of solar panels. Since that is the case, if anyone has an issue or a concern with where the panels would be located, they should contact a school board member.

If the project goes ahead, panels would be situated to the side of the elementary school, on its roof and the roof of the bus garage, as well as in the north parking lot at the high school.

“In my opinion, the parking lot should be out,” said mayor Mark Larson.

Also reported, was that the Cornell Area Fire Department members are now trained to assist EMTs, if needed. ‘They’re not first responders, but they can help the first responders,” said council member/Fire Board representative Sandy Schecklman.

Also discussed, was progress on forming a group to oversee economic development, as discussed at the last meeting, but it could take some time.

“We’re still trying to get some interest,” said Schecklman.