Belhaven Hospital Meeting 8/17/2014 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    The people kept filing in until a good group of a respectable size materialized. It was held at the new and lovely White Plains Church Ministries facility on Edwards Street. They have had their troubles requiring Court services over their new building not being done properly---and passed by inspectors until it came time for the Certificate of Occupancy --- when defects were found.

    The Pastor spoke and the crowd, already most respectful, hushed. He began a lovely old spiritual and you could tell people were serious, but not angry. His prayer was for God's help in their Hospital plight.

    He stated clearly, and with solid emotions, that the purpose of the meeting was CONCERN and not POLITICAL.

    Mayor Adam O'Neal was first to speak. He gave a synopsis of recent events. 150 or so people have gone by bus to Washington, DC, before the congressional break, to visit with Representative Butterfield. Mr. Butterfield was surprised with the size of the group and listened carefully with promises of help.

    Mayor O'Neal explained why the word "lie" had become so much a part of his description of Vidant's recent activities when confronted over their harsh plans to demolish the now closed hospital. A report that almost $10,000 had been raised thus far (much of it coming from people outside Belhaven) was welcomed with hushed "Amen's and Praise the Lord."

    The Mayor gave a report of their visit in the Wilson Courtroom last Thursday at 9 a.m. The Judge had been delayed a bit finishing up a case. The Vidant Attorney began by complaining to the Judge that there was no formal file before the Court. When the Hospital Attorney told him there had been no time, but it was ready to file, the Judge recessed until 3:30 to give them time to take care of that formality.

    The case resumed with the Judge staring at the Vidant Attorney who claimed Vidant had "nothing to do with the Belhaven Hospital proposed demolition." Next the Judge asked, "Who is doing the security?" After some more attempts to appear non-involved he asked the question again, "Who is doing the security? Is it Vidant --- yes or no?"

    The Vidant Attorney answered, "Yes."

    With that, the Judge set an Injunction hearing over demolition for August 25. The case and private discussions between Vidant and Belhaven leaders continues as I write. Dr. Boyette, a calm but determined Physician, almost in tears over the removal of important and expensive equipment by Vidant's workers, discussed the complexity of the situation. His firm belief is that they can find ways to keep the hospital and restore it to usable condition. It serves about 1/3 of Beaufort County and all of Hyde. Great distances and great risks are involved now transporting people to Washington and then to Greenville. One woman has already died as a result of delays.

    Anna Bell Park, an award-winning videographer from the DC area, shared her recent discovery of the original deed and transfer of property for the hospital in 1948. The deed is filed under Chapter 649 on NC Sessions Law passed in 1947. It states that the property was given for "use of the hospital", yet to be built. It is in the form of a statement read 3 times and passed by the NC Legislature. The wording is critical for a Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Corporation initially chartered in Belhaven. It will become part of the documents to be submitted to the Judge on August 25. It will certainly be part of the pre-trial discussions between now and then.

    Gene Scarborough shared with the group some information from the formal records required by law and enforced by the NC Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall. The report may be found here: http://www.secretary.state.NC.us/search/CorpFilings/8012878

    It appears that Vidant has not filed the required financial reports with the Secretary of State and is now being pursued for such a report.

    Another pertinent Document of Incorporation regulating the LLC's activities is here: http://www.secretary.state.NC.us/corporations/corp.aspx?Pitemid=8012878. From the two links, you can research further for yourself.

    Scarborough pointed out that any Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Corporation in NC complies with the same things and must file financial reports to the public. It is the same as a church / Boy and Girl Scouts / Red Cross / etc. To avoid paying taxes is the prime purpose of such organizations allowed under NC Statutes. On the other side there is a strong rule that financial and others activities are posted publicly to the Secretary of State. Organizationally this office operates under the supervision of the NC Attorney General, Roy Cooper.

    It is an on-going story from the northeast corner of Beaufort County which merits careful watching and reporting.