posted November 17, 2005
In response to Dr. Richard Casavant's remark of "something should have rung their bell," concerning the illegal activities at Erlanger Medical Center, I think of many Bells ringing.
The Bells are Ringing today on so many issues:
Bells of Sadness are ringing at the loss of Judge Steve Bevil's life and his contribution to our community, and with former East Ridge Mayor Fred Pruett's life for his commitment to his community. My condolences are sincerely sent to their friends and families.
Also the Bells of Sadness are once again ringing for the friends and family of Katelynn Brianna Bass, now suffering again after such a tragic loss. The Bells of Sadness are ringing throughout the community of Signal Mountain and all who knew and loved Natalie Sitton. One never recovers from the loss of a child. May healing resume for the families and friends of both of these families.
The Bells of Wake Up are ringing for Erlanger Medical Center and Hamilton County for healthcare. I formerly worked in the oncology department at Erlanger Medical Center and know the hospital is a good facility; however upper management problems and political board issues have been a significant problem there for several years. This is the Wake Up Bell for the Board of Directors and the government of Hamilton County to formalize a new and better way of accountability including the physicians and board members who knew the federal laws were being broken as they made their deals behind closed doors. My personal belief is that they should also be held financially accountable instead of the hospital at large. Where greed is involved, there is no better punishment than to reach into the pockets of the greedy. The leaders in position at the time of the federal offenses should certainly step down from their positions and all involved should make restitution to the hospital.
The Bells of Humanity are ringing in our community for Katelynn Bass...may we come together for donations to have her tombstone replaced by another company and pay Mr. Wichman as a reminder that his lack of compassion and greed have been prioritized over good business sense. That one act of inhumanity will cost him more money than he will ever know. Let us pay him as a reminder as he looks at himself in the mirror each morning. He will have been paid in full, and another company can replace the tombstone to help the family get past their grief from his lack of compassion. For me personally, I would still cringe at a placement of a tombstone from Wichman Monuments if that was my child. The tombstone from Wichman Monuments would be a constant reminder of the additional pain. Where may we send our donations?
The Bells of Humanity and Accountability also ring for the Chattanooga Police Department due to the actions of one officer. Those bells have rung previously in other cases and the actions of other officers. There are many fine officers employed within the department, and their reputations are defiled by the acts of the few. The victims still suffer; may their healing continue despite the problems within the department. I have good faith in future policy and decisions with our new Mayor Ron Littlefield in place.
The Bells of Humanity and Accountability are also ringing for the Multicultural Affairs in our community. I know of people who have had positive experiences with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, although not all cases are about race issues. I sincerely hope that the efforts to eradicate racism in this community are successful.
All of these issues will take time to work through: the healing, the change, the racist attitudes and actions, the accountability and the shift from greed and thoughtlessness to humanity. May our community move forward with the attitude of forgiveness and the optimism of positive change. The Bells have rung for all of these time and time again. The change is long overdue, and a lack of action is no longer acceptable.
Let us strive to reach this goal: May we do unto others as we would have others to do unto each of us.
While my attitude may seem naive to some, we all have the choice to take action each day to work towards the goal in thought and deed.
Lynn Curtis
lynncurtis@bellsouth.net
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