Thursday, August 28, 2008
There is strong opposition to the sale of Hillside in Trumbull County.
YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland got a reprieve from the auction block, but the possible sale of the facility will be on the agenda for the September board of trustees meeting.
Board Chairman Walter “Buzz” Pishkur said no decision was made Tuesday on whether Forum will sell Hillside.
The trustees are taking time to examine all options and opportunities, in addition to gathering information needed to make the best decision for the interest of Forum Health and the community, Pishkur said.
In Trumbull County, there is opposition to the sale led by the Concerned Citizens of Trumbull County. A spokesman for the group, Gus Polychronis, owner of Thermolance Co., said a court injunction may be sought to stop the sale if it is proposed.
The Concerned Citizens, an alliance of community, business and labor leaders, also has said it is mounting a “grass-roots campaign” to stop the sale.
The group’s comments were in response to reports that Forum’s trustees were to potentially vote Tuesday to approve a “letter of intent” with nursing home operator John DiPizzo, which would allow him to inspect the facility and offer a bid for its purchase.
The citizens group believes selling Hillside is unnecessary and could lead to closure of the hospital and, with it, the loss of comprehensive rehabilitation services for much of Northeast Ohio, said Deborah Bindas, a staff representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.
The union represents the bulk of employees working at the facility.
She said AFSCME is ready to work with Forum to keep Hillside from being sold off.
alcorn@vindy.com