Stafford Hospital to open ahead of schedule

Schwartz repeats as supervisors’ chairman

STAFFORD — Stafford Hospital Center is primed to open next month, ahead of schedule.

A 4-3 board vote Tuesday approved conditional-use permit and zoning changes that would allow the early opening. Supervisors George Schwartz, D-Falmouth; Harry Crisp, D-George Washington; and Bob Woodson, D-Griffis-Widewater, cast the dissenting votes.

In opening early, there came a problem that the supervisors discussed. A road connecting Jefferson Davis Highway and Courthouse Road would not be ready and according to their original commitment, the hospital would not be opened until that road was completed.

Schwartz moved that the hospital be opened before the road was completed as provided that Medicorp pay a $20,000 filing fee for the action.

Sterling countered with a motion that the $20,000 go to a scholarship fund to help Stafford high school students pursue nursing degrees.

Crisp and Schwartz disagreed, stating that revenues were needed too badly.

“We have a serous fiscal problem this year and a bigger one next year,” said Crisp.

“Money is tight, and we’re not talking about a hardship case,” said Schwartz, referring to Medicorp’s substantial wealth.

In other news, Supervisor Schwartz was re-elected as chairman of the board Tuesday by a 5-2 vote.

Supervisors Mark Dudenhefer, R-Garrisonville, and Cord Sterling, R-Rock Hill, cast the dissenting votes.

Sterling had nominated Supervisor Harry Crisp, D-George Washington, to the position but Crisp declined the nomination. However, Crisp did accept a nomination as vice chairman and was elected unanimously to the position.

Bylaws were then adopted unanimously after a discussion concerning citizen time limits for presentations. Citizens will be allowed three minutes for presentations, four if they represent a group or organization.

Jim Lawrence is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at .