Dear Editor

I do not wish to appear to the public that I am bitter or disillusioned with the caliber of our city government, but I feel that I must make these comments. I am a tax paying citizen of Hartselle. I voted “No” to raise our taxes.

However, the powers that be decided they did not like the results of the majority of the voters and raised it anyway. This inflated revenue, it seems, was needed to improve, entice and market the city of Hartselle.

I do not even begin to understand the politics of running a city, I am a nurse and I do nurse things. I have to put my faith, first in God and second in those that make the best decisions for me as a citizen.

I realize (because I have seen it posted on the internet in black and white) that the hospital had to charge for its services. That is what we do.

That I can recall, I have never been to Kroger, Hometown Market or CVS here in Hartselle and walked out with goods that I needed without paying. That is what they do.

At least we offer a payment plan. Not so with the above mentioned businesses. We have never denied care to someone that needs it (not to be confused with what they may want) regardless of their ability to pay. We do not even know what their payer source is when they present themselves for medical intervention and care.

Contrary to popular thinking process, we do NOT work for a commission! We love our patients and will always go above and beyond to make certain that they receive quality care within the “More than bricks and mortar” walls of our safe place. I do not swim, so I will not need the aquatic center. However, there will be someone’s child that thinks they can swim and is pulled from the bottom of the pool. I know this sounds hard and cruel, but face it, it happens. Trust me!

Our very competent, professional EMS will respond and initiate CPR. By the time they get to Decatur, Cullman or Huntsville – I am so sorry! The same possible (proven to be the case in the not too distant past) scenario is the head injured child on the football field. That so important/demanded “Golden Hour” for potential recovery just got axed because any medical intervention was axed also. Think about these things.

I do not voice these comments for lack of anything else to do. I worked third shift last night at the hospital just in case any of you needed our services, not because I did it for my health or for the pay. I am a nurse, I do nurse things. Hartselle City Council, please do yours!

Debbie Burks McLemore, RN

Hartselle