Public Encouraged To Voice Hospital Concerns and Questions At Public Meeting

IU Health Starke Hospital

Starke County Council President Dave Pearman encourages the public to attend the public hearing of the County Council and Commissioners on Monday, May 14, at the Starke County Annex Building.

The county officials will discuss the possible amendment of the county ordinance restricting the use of the proceeds from the lease of Starke Memorial Hospital dated October 1st, 1996. The amendment would authorize the use of up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to be used to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property. Starke County Council President, Dave Pearman, said you are encouraged to attend this public hearing to ask questions and voice concerns.

Pearman says that he feels the public needs to be kept abreast of information regarding the hospital because it’s a very important topic that could affect the county for years to come. He says that the meeting is an effort to seek super-majority agreement to utilize the funds for a consultant, but moreover, the goal of the boards is to ensure they offer the highest level of representation to the public and ensure the boards proceed in an educated manner.

“The real critical thing here is that, as a team with both of our boards, we just want to be completely transparent,” said Pearman. “We want to really believe that we’re making the decisions that the public would make and believe that we’re working on their behalf. That’s one of the key things.”

Pearman says he would like to see more members of the community attend the public hearing and voice their opinions. Further, he strongly encourages anyone interested in the topic to attend the hearing with whatever questions they may have.

The public hearing will begin Monday, May 14, at 5 p.m. with the county council and will be immediately followed by the county commissioners at 6 p.m.