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Letters to the Editor
Wedekind's letter draws Barthol's ire

By PATTY BARTHOL Jasper

The criteria for editorials submitted to the Jasper Newsboy are clearly defined in each issue. Thank You letters and political advertisements will, it outlines, be referred to the advertising department.

It is my opinion that the letter to the editor by Larry Wedekind, in the April 2 edition of the Jasper Newsboy is a perfect example of a letter that should have been forwarded to advertising. It is simply another example of Mr. Wedekind's manipulation and exploitation of the people of Jasper.

The letter is clearly an advertisement for Dickerson Memorial Hospital. It is a poor attempt to make excuses and sugar coat the very serious problems that plague DMH. Mr. Wedekind (or the frontline people who do his dirty work) should be made to pay for advertisements such as this, like every other honestly managed business in Jasper.

Mr. Wedekind, it's called an advertising budget. You should try it instead of always wanting something for free.

As a Jasper resident, I am offended that Mr. Wedekind's manipulation and poor treatment of employees has been tolerated and even enabled by some public officials and certain media outlets.

Archived material will show, that repeatedly printed is Mr. Wedekind's version of the events taking place at DMH, events such as chronic insufficient payroll checks and practices that would land hard working citizens such as myself, in jail.

Mr. Wedekind states that "this hospital is here to serve you and your family with excellent health care." Citizens should be informed that this is not true. Excellent health care means much more that short ER wait times.

It means having a properly trained staff at all times, having enough staff at all times, having supplies and medications readily available to treat patients, a clean facility, and an administration that understands what it takes to at least meet, or exceed minimum standards of care set forth by local, state and federal agencies.

Jasper has been a two hospital town for years. The hospital itself is not the problem. It is the owner, administrator and the administration that needs to pack up and head out.

This is our town Mr. Wedekind. It is where we work, have businesses, own homes, raise our children and grandchildren and worship together.

The time has come for the citizens of Jasper to know the truth and to say no more. We do not take to your kind Larry.

The Jasper Newsboy was notified in September 2007 of events taking place at DMH upon my resignation as the Director of Nursing. The information was obviously either not taken seriously or deemed unprintable. Perhaps now, my opinion now will make it to print.

Editor's note: Mrs. Barthol was interviewed in September of 2007 for a story on Dickerson Memorial Hospital. Two days later, Mrs. Barthol called the Newsboy office and requested that her comments not be used in the story. The Newsboy respected her request and pulled her comments from the story. Letters to editor criteria announced

The Jasper Newsboy would like to publish your thoughts and concerns about issues that are important to you.

All Letters to the Editor should be accompanied with the writer's name and daytime telephone number for verification purposes.

Phone numbers will not be published, but the author's name will be. Under no circumstances will the author's name be withheld.

"Thank You" letters will not be published and will be transferred the the advertising department for an advertisement.

All letters are subject to editing for newspaper style and clarity, without changing the meaning of the content.

Letters should be limited to 300 words.

Letters endorsing or opposing political candidates are considered political advertising and will be forwarded to the advertising department.

Deadline for letters is 10 a.m. Monday to be published in the following Wednesday's publication.

Mail letters to: The Jasper Newsboy P.O. Box 1419 Jasper, Texas 75951-1419 or e-mail to: jgalvan@jaspernewsboy.com