Take It or Leave It | Eastern North Carolina Now

    The November 4th monthly Beaufort County Commissioner's meeting started off with some strong public comments by civic leader "Buzz" Cayton stressing the need for County Commissioners to use common sense in their ongoing pursuit of new jail plans. The current path will only lead to an increased tax burden on already economically depressed taxpayers.

    The climatic moment of the night was delivered by Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal in his appeal for support for the people of Belhaven in their fight to save Vidant Pungo Hospital. With fire in his belly O'Neal is only strengthened by Vidant's continuing refusal to ensure that life-saving services will be provided at Pungo Hospital. Pungo Hospital is the only Critical Access Hospital (CAH) serving over 25,000 residents in 2 counties (Hyde and Beaufort). Any additional time delay in delivering emergency services will only decrease chances of surviving a stroke.

    O'Neal went on to say that this "fight for life" has gained national television network attention. Rev. William Barbar, President of the NC NAACP joined in a highly publicized rally in Belhaven last week. O'Neal promises that there's more to come. Belhaven is fighting to save lives, whether Vidant likes it or not.
Mayor O'Neal understands well his position in support of saving what vestiges of the Pungo District Hospital that is within his power to do so: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage    Click the image to expand.

    Officials from both Hyde and Beaufort Counties continued to have meetings with Vidant Health throughout the month of October, hoping to reach support for continuing emergency life-saving services at the new facility. In an attempt at redemption in the public's eyes, Vidant submitted a letter dated Oct. 21, 2013 to Beaufort County Manager Randell Woodruff to be included on the Nov. 4th monthly County Commissioners meeting agenda. Hyde County Board of Commissioners also meet on Nov. 4th and this matter is on their agenda for consideration.

    The letter confirms "some" details of the $500,000 grant for Beaufort County to advance our EMS to a paramedic level of service. Hyde County's grant offer is for $250,000 to purchase an additional EMS truck. Although Vidant is dealing with 2 separate counties, it appears they are intermingling contract terms and conditions. The letter stipulates "the decision needs to be joint with Hyde County regarding the acceptance of the grants. Failure to reach a decision by November 5, 2013 will be taken as a rejection of the offer."

    Following a presentation by John Pack, BC Emergency Management Director outlining how this $500,000 grant from Vidant could be used to begin the upgrade of our EMS level to paramedic level, it was decided that Vidant's offer proved not to be a fit in the overall plan that the Commissioners are considering.

    The Commissioners decided to discuss the details and concerns about the dictatorial flavor of the Oct. 21st letter from Vidant. Most Commissioners were very vocal expressing their disdain for this whole matter - a letter that is void of compromise and flexibility.

    In fact Commissioner Hood Richardson who was in attendance at the various meetings said Vidant's attitude has not changed - "Take it or Leave it." Agreeing to this grant will show how much you are worth. This amounts to "prostitution".

    "What is so magical about Nov. 5th?" asked Commissioner Robert Belcher. "The money is not going anywhere. It will be there next Nov. 5th. And the next." Whether we "Take it or Leave It".

    Commissioner Gary Brinn commented that this $500,000 looks like "Hush" money. Belcher agreed.

    In a show of solidarity at the end of the discussion the Commissioners decided in a unanimous vote (7-0) it was best to just table the issue.

    The video below is supplied the Beaufort Observer.



    Here below is the proposed Grant Funding Agreement, per resolution, from Vidant Health requiring Beaufort County's government passage:

    Contract No._

    VIDANT HEALTH FOUNDATION

    GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT

    This Grant Funding Agreement (the ''Agreement") is entered into this ____ day of November, 2013, by and between University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Vidant Health Foundation (the "Foundation") and Beaufort County (the "Grant Recipient").

    WHEREAS, the Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and is recognized as a tax-exempt entity by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

    WHEREAS, the Foundation exists solely for charitable purposes for the promotion of health and wellness to the general public and community in the eastern region of North Carolina and in all areas served by Vidant Health and related health care providers by assisting and financially supporting any qualified health care provider, government entity and charitable organization formed for the promotion of health and wellness; and

    WHEREAS, the Foundation supports qualified health care providers, government entities and charitable organizations through equipment purchases, research, education, patient and family support, community benefit and health initiatives, and capital initiatives; and

    WHEREAS, the Foundation seeks to achieve its mission by positively impacting the health status of c01mnunities affiliated with Vidant Health through early detection, wellness and prevention, community health initiatives and direct health care services; and

    WHEREAS, Grant Recipient is a political subdivision of the State of N01th Carolina and is the equivalent of a tax-exempt entity for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code; and

    WHEREAS, Grant Recipient desires to expand its emergency medical services program to be able to provide paramedic-level services throughout Beaufort County;

    WHEREAS, the support provided to Grant Recipient, as contemplated herein, will promote the health and wellness of the general public and community in the area served by Vidant Health and will support direct health care services.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficient of which are hereby acknowledged, Foundation and Grant Recipient agree as follows:

    1. Grant. Foundation agrees to provide funding to Grant Recipient in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) to be used for education, training, equipment and other uses that directly support the establishment of a paramedic-level emergency medical services program. The Foundation agrees to pay for such funding with a one-time payment to be

    provided following execution of this Agreement.

    2. Obligations. Grant Recipient agrees to the following:

    a. Grant Recipient agrees to use the grant monies solely for education, training, equipment and other uses that directly support the establishment of a paramedic-level emergency medical services program ("EMT-P Program") in Beaufort County consistent with the requirements of 10A N.C. Admin. Code 13P .0101, et seq.

    b. Grant Recipient agrees to expend the grant monies as required by this Agreement within twenty-four (24) months of receipt and to maintain detailed documentation of its expenditures. Grant Recipient further agrees to provide an annual written report of its use of the grant monies to the Foundation and upon request to permit the Foundation to inspect and copy its documentation of expenditures.

    c. Grant Recipient agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances with respect to the use of the grant monies.

    d. Grant Recipient agrees that it shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, status as a Vietnam veteran, or on the ability to pay with respect to the administration of grant monies pursuant to this Agreement or with respect to the emergency services rendered.

    3. Contingent Funding Obligation. The Foundation's obligation to provide funding pursuant to this Agreement is contingent upon receipt of an executed Grant Funding Agreement by Hyde County pursuant to which the Foundation agrees to provide certain funding for the purchase of an EMS vehicle.

    4. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended in writing and may not, and shall not be construed to be amended, orally or by performance. A written amendment shall only be effective if executed in the same manner as this Agreement.

    5. Entire Agreement. This document constitutes the entire agreement between Foundation and Grant Recipient and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, whether written or oral.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Foundation and Grant Recipient, by and through their respective authorized representatives, have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

    FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENT

    By: __________________________________ By: ______________________________

    Name: ________________________________ Name: ____________________________

    Title: _________________________________ Title: _____________________________
Go Back


Leave a Guest Comment

Your Name or Alias
Your Email Address ( your email address will not be published)
Enter Your Comment ( no code or urls allowed, text only please )




Court Throws Out Suit Challenging General Assembly Pre-K Changes County Commissioners, Government, Governing Beaufort County Governor McCrory Announces Task Force on Safer Schools Appointments

HbAD0

 
Back to Top