August 1, 2007

The Editor,
The Markdale Standard
themarkdalestandard@bmts.com

While Carol, Abby and I appreciate all of the kind words contained in Don Crosby’s column of August 1, 2007, there are a couple of things we would like to clarify emphatically.

1) The hospital campaign set a target of $12 million. It received donations and pledges exceeding $13 million. Assuming all pledges are honored that figure will stand up.
2) While it is unrealistic to expect 100% collection of pledges given changes in people’s circumstances, the campaign will come very close to doing just that.
3) Of close to 2000 donations and pledges, and still counting, there are presently less than 2 % of pledgers in arrears, and some of these have made partial payment. So far there is every reason to believe a good portion of those arrears will be collected.

Let there be no doubt about it, this community is getting a new hospital and that is thanks to the tremendous support, past, present and future from its citizens, businesses, service clubs, the hospital auxiliary, local governments and others who have an interest in ensuring this immediate area can continue to provide “Quality Care Close to You” and have contributed to that objective with their time, talents and cold hard cash.

In closing, I would like to thank your newspaper and those in Dundalk and Flesherton for your support throughout the entire campaign and beyond.

Sincerely,
Dick Kavanagh