HAMMONTON BLOG

Admin · Status: Offline

Deadline looms for Kessler

Admin · Status: Offline

There may be some state aid available for Kessler, Corzine says

By THOMAS BARLAS Staff Writer, 609-272-7201

(Published: Saturday, January 03, 2009)

MAYS LANDING - Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Friday there's still some slim hope of providing state financial help to the financially struggling William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital in Hammonton.

Corzine said there might still be some money left in a $44 million pot of funds that has mostly been allocated to some other struggling hospitals in New Jersey, and some federal dollars might also be available.

However, Corzine, who was at the Atlantic County Criminal Courts Complex here to swear in two Democrats to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, wouldn't make any firm promises of financial help to Kessler.

"I don't want to overpromise and then underdeliver," the governor said.

Earlier Friday, Republican Atlantic County Freeholders James Curcio and Frank Giordano said they want Corzine to give the same kind of financial help to Kessler as he's giving to medical facilities in what they claim are Corzine's "political strongholds." They charged Friday almost 98 percent worth of the $44 million is going to medical facilities in five "overwhelmingly Democratic" northern New Jersey municipalities.

"Gov. Corzine seems to be preoccupied with his friends up north in the allocation of these emergency hospital funds," Giordano said. "He ought to reallocate these funds to provide at least the $2.1 million that Kessler has applied for to stay in operation beyond January 15th."

In a press release issued Friday, Curcio and Giordano said Corzine "plans to run for re-election" this year, something Corzine hasn't officially announced.

Curcio, whose freeholder district includes his hometown of Hammonton, and Giordano, who runs countywide for his at-large seat, are themselves up for re-election this year. The press release they issued read "Paid for by Curcio for Freeholder" along the bottom.

Kessler is trying to raise
$5 million from residents by Jan. 15, otherwise the hospital could close. The administration installed at Kessler in October has met with leaders from area municipalities, seeking loans, or at least help in persuading wealthy resident to lend money, according to some mayors.

Kessler sought $2.1 million when it applied in October for the special aid Corzine signed into law as part of a package of health care reforms in June.

Of the hospitals getting some of the $44 million, five are in East Orange, Jersey City, Newark, Perth Amboy and Passaic. State officials say those hospitals have the largest percentage of charity care in New Jersey and have been in financial distress for several years.

E-mail Thomas Barlas:

TBarlas@pressofac.com

Date: 12:43 PM Jan 3, 2009

What a coincidence that our Freeholder reps are "fighting" for Kessler as they start their re-election efforts. Funny, no heard anything from them before.

Date: 06:33 PM Jan 3, 2009

Hey lets try to be serious here for a minute.

Freeholders are not elected to provide assistance to hospitals but let's give some credit to Curcio for telling Jon Corzine to re-direct some of the 44 million dollars he is pouring into his local North Jersey hospitals and once again ignoring South Jersey.

If 44 million can go into profitable North Jersey hospitals next to Corzine how about revisiting the paultry 2.1 million we asked for local Kessler Hospital. Putting politics aside for a minute, our hospital can use a little financial aid from the state.

I will give credit to anyone who can get a little relief for our local hospital.

Date: 08:38 PM Jan 3, 2009

Jim Curcio is a joke, if he wasn't up for re-election you would never hear from him. Where has he been? what has he ever done for Hammonton except to suck votes from here and collect health benefits. When will the Gazette question the health benefits he gets? oh thats right we only question locals because it fits their operation. Curcio will face a strong primary fight. Hammonton and Atlantic County deserves better. Look out Curcio will say or do anything to get re-elected.

Date: 08:52 PM Jan 3, 2009

The Gazette will never question Jim Curcio because he is in their pocket. He plays their games for them. He shows up for photo ops whenever they call. Just watch how many pictures we see for Curcio when it gets time for reelection.

Date: 11:12 AM Jan 4, 2009

Jim Curcio... whose brother in law is a big wig at Atlanticare. I am sure he is in Kessler's corner. It must be election time the invisible man rides again. I hope he stumps with Giordano. he's a real winner, he's Atlantic Counties Jerry Vitalo.

Date: 07:55 AM Jan 5, 2009

I heard Jimmy Curcio's primary fight is coming in from within Hammonton... with the split at the GOP this could be bad news for him.

Date: 08:42 AM Jan 7, 2009

I'm sure Curcio will do another staged appearance at town council days before the election. The mayor and HF all knew that he was going to counter Falcone at a town hall meeting which is not the place to campaign. That was a total disrespect to the town and to democracy as a whole when Curcio used OUR TOWN HALL to try to regain his dwindling support townwide.

Date: 07:22 AM Jan 8, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

Hey lets try to be serious here for a minute.

Freeholders are not elected to provide assistance to hospitals but let's give some credit to Curcio for telling Jon Corzine to re-direct some of the 44 million dollars he is pouring into his local North Jersey hospitals and once again ignoring South Jersey.

If 44 million can go into profitable North Jersey hospitals next to Corzine how about revisiting the paultry 2.1 million we asked for local Kessler Hospital. Putting politics aside for a minute, our hospital can use a little financial aid from the state.

I will give credit to anyone who can get a little relief for our local hospital.

Curcio is trying to help the hospital. He is respected by the other freeholders who voted to make him thir leader. The Democrats and Corzine are doing nothing to help the hospital and using this as an issue to attack Curcio on for their upcoming freeholder election.

Date: 08:35 AM Jan 8, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Hey lets try to be serious here for a minute.

Freeholders are not elected to provide assistance to hospitals but let's give some credit to Curcio for telling Jon Corzine to re-direct some of the 44 million dollars he is pouring into his local North Jersey hospitals and once again ignoring South Jersey.

If 44 million can go into profitable North Jersey hospitals next to Corzine how about revisiting the paultry 2.1 million we asked for local Kessler Hospital. Putting politics aside for a minute, our hospital can use a little financial aid from the state.

I will give credit to anyone who can get a little relief for our local hospital.

Curcio is trying to help the hospital. He is respected by the other freeholders who voted to make him thir leader. The Democrats and Corzine are doing nothing to help the hospital and using this as an issue to attack Curcio on for their upcoming freeholder election.

It's failed Republican policies as well that have caused hospitals like Kessler to go bankrupt. Our heath care system sucks. President Bush added a nail to Kessler coffin when he pushed for Regionalizations of hospitals nationwide. That was a big blow to South Jersey resulting in more than 3 hospitals that I know of to close in the last 5 years.

Date: 03:45 PM Jan 9, 2009

Politicians and People kept on saying that "It's ALL GOOD." When in reality to Kessler and many businesses and residents, it hasn't. I did my part while others just put up lawn signs.

Date: 12:03 PM Jan 12, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

Politicians and People kept on saying that "It's ALL GOOD." When in reality to Kessler and many businesses and residents, it hasn't. I did my part while others just put up lawn signs.

People in Hammonton are clueless. They're clueless in politics and their clueless to what's going on in the world. The "It's All Good" Mentality has got to go. People are suffering in Hammonton!