Let the citizens vote on the future of Mayo Regional Hospital/HAD #4

To the Editor;
Mayo Regional Hospital executives seems to be misrepresenting the activity concerning the soon to come name change of Mayo Regional Hospital and HAD #4 (Hospital Administrative District #4) soon to take place.

We have not heard by the vote of the HAD #4, the 13 towns or municipalities and their citizens — the legislative body of Mayo Regional Hospital/HAD #4 consisting of the towns of Abbot, Atkinson, Bradford, Cambridge, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Gilford, Milo, Monson, Parkman, Sebec, and Willimantic.

We have been hearing words like, debt, name change, new brand, rebrand, merger, integration, comprehensive changes, letter of approval, and definitive agreement and amend the HAD #4 charter to fit their needs.

Words we have not heard are, follow and abide by the existing HAD #4 charter and laws set in place by Maine legislators on May 11, 1973.

We have not heard the words, dissolve, dismantle, sell, hand over, give away, equity, asset, or net value.

According to the law and the HAD #4 charter, it is up to the voters of these 13 municipalities to make the decision to dissolve Hospital Administrative District #4 .

The fact is the hospital executives are simply asking for a letter of approval to amend the HAD #4 charter without the vote of 13 municipalities, so they can dissolve the Hospital Administrative District #4 (Mayo Regional Hospital) without the vote of the 13 municipalities.

I am not saying that a sellout, transfer of ownership, or to dissolve the Hospital Administrative District #4 is a good choice or a bad choice. I am only saying we should abide by the existing law and charter to make a choice by a vote of the voters of the 13 municipalities and provide us with the facts and information we ask for so we can make an informed decision. We the citizens of these 13 municipalities are in fact the legislative body of Mayo Regional Hospital/Hospital Administrative District #4.

Richard R. Dobson Sr.
Sangerville