[bestmickey]

Originally Posted by teachnmo

At the POA meeting Dr. Anderson stated that he owns his land and building.

Good to know. Thanks!

[ajakk]

Do we need another "cancer center"in TV? Probably not but Moffitt is a brand name, so CFHA probably feels it is profitable to open an affiliate here. After it's all said and done, there will be a Moffitt affiliate in Leesburg, TV and the one already located in Ocala at ORMC. We not only won't have to go to Tampa for treatment but will have 3 Moffitt affiliates within 25 miles to choose from. Not to mention the previously unknown Mayo Clinic affiliate "cancer center" located about a hundred and fifty yards form the soon-to-be Moffitt affiliate. We must be the cancer capital of the world - is it any wonder that health care costs are out of control?

The only negative is the TV Moffitt is the one that requires donations by Villagers for equipment if it's to open here. Oh, I forgot, it was brought out they (CFHA/Developer/Morse) always had the funds for equipment but wanted to keep it for the future Brownwood Hospital, if it is ever built. Shame on the CFHA/Developer/Morse because this information should have been released at the start of the project, not months later. Once you donate to The Village Health System, they can use it as they see fit, whether it be to outfit Moffitt or build a hospital at Brownwood.

[villages07]

As Russ often reminds us ... it's voluntary donations not mandatory taxes that are being sought.

Do we need another cancer center? Good question. I assume someone or some group much smarter than me has analyzed the demographics, population growth, health needs, and existing facilities and determined that there is a need for further expansion.

I remember friends back North who worked tirelessly doing fundraisers for their local community hospital to purchase equipment, build new wings, etc. I don't recall any hue and cry about why donations were needed to fund these local, critical needs.

I think there is some instant suspicion whenever the Morse family is involved. Yes, they are business people out to make a buck but they have also been the catalyst for the rapid expansion and improvement of medical facilities for this area. Without their push and influence, I fear we would not have anywhere near the facilities or medical personnel that we have now to serve this fast growing area. If it had been left up to Sumter/Lake/Marion County or the State of Florida to meet our medical needs, I think (just my opinion) that we would have been terribly underserved.

I hope to never have to use Moffitt's capabilities, but, I am impressed with their total patient care approach and feel they will be an asset to this community.

[VillagesFlorida]

I don't know much about Moffit from a personal standpoint but I DO know a little something about the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institue on Clemente Ct. in The Villages. In 2001 I had 33 radiation treatments there, after a lumpectomy on my right breast. Radiation may be all they do but they do it very well. I don't know anything about the Sentinel article but will probably read it. One thing I know for sure: If I ever need radiation in the future, I will specifically ask to be referred back to Boissoneault. The staff there treated me with the utmost kindness and professionalism. Dr Shelaine Mabanta was just who I needed when faced with an uncertain future. When it came time to dismiss me to my medical oncologist I asked to stay on with her for an extra year. Having other cancer treatment options available here in The Villages will be a good thing for all of us. After watching 12+ years of news from central Florida nothing would surprise me as far as how this new cancer center came to be. Maybe the best thing that we can all do is to not think about that and just enjoy more peace of mind once it is finished. Somehow, I don't believe that wondering and worrying about who-did-what is going to change a thing in the end.......been here and have seen how these things get done, too many times!

[bike42]

Originally Posted by villages07

As Russ often reminds us ... it's voluntary donations not mandatory taxes that are being sought.

Do we need another cancer center? Good question. I assume someone or some group much smarter than me has analyzed the demographics, population growth, health needs, and existing facilities and determined that there is a need for further expansion.

I remember friends back North who worked tirelessly doing fundraisers for their local community hospital to purchase equipment, build new wings, etc. I don't recall any hue and cry about why donations were needed to fund these local, critical needs.

I think there is some instant suspicion whenever the Morse family is involved. Yes, they are business people out to make a buck but they have also been the catalyst for the rapid expansion and improvement of medical facilities for this area. Without their push and influence, I fear we would not have anywhere near the facilities or medical personnel that we have now to serve this fast growing area. If it had been left up to Sumter/Lake/Marion County or the State of Florida to meet our medical needs, I think (just my opinion) that we would have been terribly underserved.

I hope to never have to use Moffitt's capabilities, but, I am impressed with their total patient care approach and feel they will be an asset to this community.

Well said -- thank you.

[Jane52]

Finally, the question of whether Leesburg is having to fundraise for equipment and the building has been answered, in The Villages Voice January 2011 at

http://www.thevha.net/the-villages-v...26&article=595

Leesburg community is being asked to do fundraising of $25 million because they have to fund the construction of the building and facilities, in addition to the equipment. TV residents are not being asked to pay for building/facilities construction because the developer is paying for that. So we're being asked to fundraise for about $4.5 million while Leesburg has to fundraise $25 million.

The article is titled "CFHA and TVHS Team with Moffitt for Comprehensive Cancer Care".

The direct quotes that finally clarify all of this were removed twice here when I posted them and linked to their source (copyright violation, moderator says).

[Number 6]

It does not say the developer is paying for the building. It says he is leasing it to CFHA. No small point.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Number 6

It does not say the developer is paying for the building. It says he is leasing it to CFHA. No small point.

Technically speaking isn't he paying for the building and then leasing it out? And why is this a contentious point? Wouldn't any building that they locate in have to pay the landlord?

[iaudit]

I think the contentious point is that the community was led to believe that he was donating the building (paying for it), not building it and leasing it.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Technically speaking isn't he paying for the building and then leasing it out? And why is this a contentious point? Wouldn't any building that they locate in have to pay the landlord?

I would almost always want to see this type of non profit operate out of leased quarters rather than getting into the real estate ownership process themselves. If the rent is appropriate there is no real reason to critise this situation nor the proposed landlord.

[Jane52]

Originally Posted by Challenger

I would almost always want to see this type of non profit operate out of leased quarters rather than getting into the real estate ownership process themselves. If the rent is appropriate there is no real reason to critise this situation nor the proposed landlord.

Well said!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by iaudit

I think the contentious point is that the community was led to believe that he was donating the building (paying for it), not building it and leasing it.

If that was said I can see your point - was that ever in print so we can all see it? If so please provide the link.

[The Shadow]

Part 2 of article.

Sunday's column began to examine a controversy in The Villages that surrounds the Moffitt Cancer Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall.

The building to house the center is being paid for and constructed by H. Gary Morse and his family, who own and have developed The Villages. Moffitt's partner in the project, the Central Florida Health Alliance, will pay rent, just like any other business leasing any other Morse-owned commercial property in The Villages.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...1664811.column

[nitakk]

It seems as though if you criticize the way donations are being asked for by, at the very best, not telling the whole truth, you are against Moffitt, cancer treatment in general and probably don't like puppies. For all of you who think those of us who question this whole deal makes us Morse-bashers, Moffitt-haters and quite possibly Nazi-loving communists, my answer is to use your brain. I now realize there is no way of reasoning with people who don't want to use reason but it's so frustrating!! I, for one, won't be snookered into this out-and-out fraud being perpetuated on us by CFHA. Donations to all local "real" charities are down in this area since this crap started and that is just wrong. So if you will excuse me, I have to get back to "Mein Kampf" - it was just getting interesting.

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by nitakk

It seems as though if you criticize the way donations are being asked for by, at the very best, not telling the whole truth, you are against Moffitt, cancer treatment in general and probably don't like puppies. For all of you who think those of us who question this whole deal makes us Morse-bashers, Moffitt-haters and quite possibly Nazi-loving communists, my answer is to use your brain. I now realize there is no way of reasoning with people who don't want to use reason but it's so frustrating!! I, for one, won't be snookered into this out-and-out fraud being perpetuated on us by CFHA. Donations to all local "real" charities are down in this area since this crap started and that is just wrong. So if you will excuse me, I have to get back to "Mein Kampf" - it was just getting interesting.

That about sums it up.