Save Bradford Hospital held its second public forum this past Wednesday at the Bradford Library. The 50 or so people who attended were presented a slideshow and talks from Betsy Costello, Lynette Carll, Marty Wilder and Drew Flanagan.

These four, along with a few others, have worked tirelessly for more than a year, trying to resuscitate what once was Bradford Hospital. Sadly, this meeting was an indication that it is not the hospital that is in need of lifesaving actions, it is the city.

And the townships. And the boroughs … THE WHOLE BLEEPIN’ COUNTY!

How can it be possible that out of the tens of thousands of McKean Countians, the thousands of Bradfordians — the majority of whom have been treated or admitted at the Bradford hospital — can silently and apathetically(?) allow our only local hospital to be systematically and unethically reduced and “re-reduced” to its present state.

And if you think this is the end of the reduction, you best think again.

This small gathering at the library was notable — notable for who WASN’T there. With apologies for not listing all businesses, governments and organizations that have relied on the hospital for the past 100 years, here is a list of some of the more prominent ones, with the number of representatives at the library meeting:

City of Bradford, 1; McKean County, 0; Bradford Township, 0; Foster Township, 0; all other local governments, 0.

Zippo Manufacturing, 0; Case Cutlery, 0; ARG Refinery, 0; KOA, 0; Bradford Forest Products, 0; all other companies, 0.

Bradford school system, 0; University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 0; all other school systems, 0; American Legion, K of C, VFW, Eagles, Lions, Salvation Army and all other civic organizations, 0.

So, totaling these numbers, one can quite obviously see the problem. Nobody (well, damn few) cares whether we have a hospital. Hard to believe — and sad to accept.

The final curtain may not be drawn yet but apathy and ignorance have their hands on the ropes.

James W. Miller, Rixford