The number of signatures on the petition to save Moccasin Bend now stands at 3,726 and continues to climb.
Indeed, if a referendum were to be held today, I daresay that the results would be nearly unanimous in favor of relocating the hospital.
I appreciate those of you who responded to my earlier update. However, every response has stated that the feasibility studies and archaeological reviews must be completed before any official decision can be made.
Respectfully, no, they don’t.
The decision to relocate should be absolute and independent from any studies and reviews. There are no reasons other than short-term financial savings to keep the hospital on the Bend, and so many more reasons—including improved mental health services and increased tourism revenues—to relocate it.
Regardless of the outcome of the studies, the Archeological District needs to be contiguous and complete. Another reason to relocate: the continued danger of having a trafficked road pass through the entire District to the hospital and putting visitors at risk. How many more people need to be killed on that road?
I hope that even one member of our state legislative delegation or of the Lee administration will show the courage to come out in favor of moving the facility. I think others will follow. And your constituents will applaud.
In decades to come and when you sit down with your children and grandchildren, will you be prouder of saving Chattanooga’s only National Historic Landmark or of short-term financial savings? Which will have the longer impact and benefit future generations?
Please do the right thing, show courage, and come out in favor of relocating the hospital—today.
James D. Johnson