Todd Johnson, Jerry Simpson, and Jonathan Thomas for Union County Commissioners

By Oscar Y. Harward

In an editorial for the Primary Election Day, May 4, 2010, I detailed to the citizens of Union County that one of the most important issues for this Primary Election was to protect our healthcare facility, CMC-Union, from being sold to another healthcare organization. Thank you for your help in that election.

This General Election continues as an issue maintaining CMC-Union ownership as our healthcare facility.

By personal experience in this year alone, I have had two out-patient surgeries at CMC-Union. Additionally, I have had three separate overnights with next day stays for various illnesses at CMC-Union. Further, I have had three separate procedures for three days and nights each; one procedure at Presbyterian – Downtown, Charlotte, and two procedures at CMC-Mercy, Charlotte. In earlier years, I have had various surgical procedures at CMC-Downtown, Charlotte, and Presbyterian-Downtown, Charlotte.

In summary, CMC-Union is one of the best healthcare facilities anywhere. CMC-Union does not have a “Trauma Center”; however, my dream is for CMC-Union, working together with Union County Commissioners and other community leaders, to attract additional surgeons and other professionals with various specialties to expand CMC-Union into a “Trauma Center”. A CMC-Union “Trauma Center” would make critical healthcare more assessable to Union County residents and other surrounding counties while relieving some “Trauma” medical care load at CMC-Downtown, Charlotte. This healthcare expansion also creates needed jobs within our community. Under all circumstances, we must remain CMC-Union ownership.

For these reasons, I am again asking Union County voters’ consideration to support and vote for: Todd Johnson, Jerry Simpson, and Jonathan Thomas for Union County Commissioners.