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This is a fairly muscular statement from Mayo's FAQ regarding DMC...Mayo CEO Dr. John Noseworthy had a few similar comments at a meeting with P-B editors and reporters late Tuesday afternoon, at the Mayo Building. Under the terms of the embargoed release of the news, we couldn't report on what we learned before 2 p.m. today, which is how announcements of this type often go.
Here's the FAQ statement:
What will happen if we don’t do this?
A: Mayo Clinic is steadfast in its commitment to meet the growing needs of patients and is prepared to make a massive private investment into additional physicians and staff, new medical buildings, technology, clinical and wellness services and the other enhancements needed to effectively compete and retain its position as one of the world’s top medical centers.
While Mayo Clinic could locate its global destination medical center in many places outside Minnesota, it would prefer to make this major expansion here in Rochester. However, if the necessary public support cannot be secured to leverage this significant private investment, those investments could go elsewhere. Continually, Mayo Clinic is approached by others cities, states and countries to expand and extend its unique medical model and services – many are willing to incent Mayo’s expansion to their locale with public incentives and financial support.
From the meeting with Dr. Noseworthy and other Mayo executives Tuesday -- also joined by Mayor Ardell Brede -- here are Noseworthy's comments on the same theme:
"The reality is, there's only one Mayo Clinic, and only one national or international medical center in the world...we're very fortunate to have it here in Minnesota...
"There are several other 'name brand' (medical institutions, such as Cleveland Clinic and Hopkins) that want to replicate this and create the global medical center" that Mayo has. "Mayo Clinic is prepared and enthusiastic about making a significant investment to make sure it remains that way...
"We want to defend our turf...
"Provided that we can be assured that the public infrastructure" happens, as assured by DMC, the clinic is prepared to spend. "If (DMC) doesn't happen, we're not going to do it here. There are many places that want us to do this...
"This will go down as another major chapter" in Mayo's history, alongside the founding of Saint Marys Hospital after the 1883 tornado, etc., he said, also calling it a "crossroads" moment.
"It's a huge economic opportunity for the state," he said.
You might be interested in who's listed as being "involved" with DMC. No real surprises here, but as you read through this list and think about how they may or may not benefit down the road, one that jumps out at me is University of Minnesota Rochester. UMR has always been discussed as part of DMC and has been a booster, but now that we're talking big, real dollars, the ways in in which UMR might benefit become more obvious, at least to armchair analysts.
Who is involved with the DMC initiative?
A: In order for the DMC vision to become a reality, many players must work together toward this common goal. These critical players include the City of Rochester and Mayo Clinic, but extend to other key community organizations, county and regional leaders, and state leaders as well. Only by working together will we realize the significant benefits offered by the DMC. Key players include:
City of Rochester
Community Asset Inventory Group
Hospitality 1st
IBM
Mayo Clinic
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Olmsted County
Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI)
Rochester Area Foundation
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce
Rochester Arts Council
Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau
Rochester Downtown Alliance
Rochester Downtown Master Planning Group
Rochester International Airport Board
Rochester Sales Tax Committee
State of Minnesota
University of Minnesota Rochester
I wonder if we should infer anything from the fact that Mayo Clinic's big news release about today's announcement in St. Paul is embargoed (not for release) until 3 p.m. eastern time.
The abrupt termination of employment for a popular Lourdes High School continues to hold reader interest online...it's been one of the most-clicked stories since we posted the school's letter to parents Monday a.m. We're trying to report a followup...any tips would be appreciated.
We'll have a story on the front today on this little event (media advisory from Mayo):
WHAT: Mayo Clinic will announce Destination Medical Center, an innovative economic development initiative.
WHO: Dr. John Noseworthy, president and CEO, Mayo Clinic
Gov. Mark Dayton
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m. CDT
WHERE: Governor’s Reception Room
Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn.
Hazardous weather outlook, from emergency management:
In the series of active weather systems, focus is turning to the potential of a winter storm to impact parts of the area beginning tonight and continuing through much of Wednesday. Colder air surging in will interact with a weather system, bringing a swath of heavy snow with accumulations between 4 and 8 inches possible. Winter storm watches are posted. Northwest winds will increase overnight into Wednesday, making conditions worse. Hazardous to treacherous driving conditions are likely, and the Wednesday morning commute may be difficult.
The area of likely impact is south and east of Rochester. A webinar is scheduled for 1 PM today. For updated information, consult weather links found here: http://alerts.rochestermn.gov/Public/Weather/Weather.aspx
Here's an email from a reader, Virginia Kautz, who's unhappy with our coverage of the Wabasha County Board drama that continues to unfold. Her first email to me last week was blistering; I gave her a chance to tone it down for publication and she did.
Not vouching for her assertions of fact in this, obviously.
Your bias is showing:
Your coverage of Wabasha County in Wednesday’s paper was so subpar that you could have written a better story if you had watched the KTTC news. Where were you guys? If you had been there you would have known that Don Springer made the request to have Ms. Hoffman terminated when he updated the agenda with 2 new requests on1/16/2013:
-Resolution 2013-026 Abolishment of the office of County Coordinator and Terminate Position
-Resolution 2013-027 Establish County Administrator Hiring Committee
These updates were sent out via email and email is how Ms. Hoffman learned that she was being terminated. Did any individual come to her personally to discuss this with her before she read it via an email……….NO.
How do you think Ms. Hoffman felt when she read this email? Don’t you think that Springer, Wobbe, or Hall would have had the decency to talk to her beforehand?
I have felt in the past, as I do now, that the close association between John Weiss and county attorney Nordstrom gives Mr. Nordstrom a bully pulpit to get his view printed often with collateral damage and untruths spread about those who are not in his favor thereby making the PB look very biased. Hoffman has a degree in business and previous experience working in government although it was at the city level. A 90 day report was sent to departments asking if there were any problems with Ms. Hoffman or her performance, which you would know if you had been at the meeting. No one had a negative thing to say about her and as a matter a fact they made several positive comments on these reports. Springer, Hall and Wobbe used the Gov’t Study Commission and the Springsted Report “recommendation” as their excuse for firing her..............................that was nothing more than a power display to say “we are back in control now and can undo all that was done by the previous board.” If the state of MN recommends you mow your lawn daily do you do it? No, it is just a recommendation and you think for yourself and mow your lawn when it needs it. So call this firing what it really was: an act of REVENGE by the new majority. This is not a “FISCAL” move that saves the taxpayer money (as abolishing the administrator position did and cities and counties around Wabasha are doing likewise) it is out and out payback. The actions of this new board demonstrate their disregard for the needs of the taxpayer and for anyone else who gets in their way.
The very next move by the board after firing Ms. Hoffman was to vote themselves a raise.
Your biased coverage of Wabasha County has cost good politicians and good people their job, as well as given the unethical, so called “public servants” a pat on the back and permission to continue to play fast and loose with the taxpayers money. You can do better. As columnist Tom Friedman says, “If you want to know, you’ve got to go”. Please send an unbiased person down to the board meetings if you are going to cover them. I understand you must triage your reporter resources, but if you are going to call in for information at least talk to and present both sides when there are so clearly two sides to this story.
A very dissatisfied customer of the P/B
Virginia Kautz
News release from Lourdes High School...we'd heard some rumblings about this and will be pursuing:
LHS PARENTS: Your Attention is Requested
Dear LHS Parents:
Thank you for the telephone calls and emails regarding the recent announcement of Mrs. Weedman's departure from Rochester Catholic Schools. This decision was made after careful consideration with both legal and spiritual consultation. It is understood that this may be an unpopular or confusing situation, but please understand that we are not at liberty to discuss the private and confidential facts which have led to Mrs. Weedman's separation of employment and we will not do so.
It has come to our attention that a protest or demonstration may occur in response. While we are sensitive to the needs and concerns of the student body, there will be zero tolerance for insubordination to faculty, staff and administration. Furthermore, any students who disrupt the learning environment at Lourdes High School and/or are absent from class due to their involvement in any protest or demonstration, will face appropriate disciplinary action.
Again, thank you very much for your support and prayers as we move through this together. We acknowledge that this is a challenging time, and are resolved in our commitment to providing Catholic education of the highest quality. We kindly thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Suzanne Lagerwaard
Principal, Lourdes High School
Michael Brennan
RCS Director of Schools
We'll be checking this one out:
I almost lost my puppy today while walking her along the abandoned railroad right-of-way south of Austin when she was caught in a conibear trap, a trap designed to crush the skull of the caught animal. The trap gripped her on her neck behind her head, and she was lying motionless. I managed to release her from the trap and she is fine, thankfully. Pet owners, be aware of these traps. Trappers, be aware that these traps are designed to kill whatever they catch. I was very fortunate to be close enough to my seven month old puppy to get to her before she was strangled; it wouldn't have taken more than a few minutes. If you aren't familiar with conibear traps, google them and go to the site showing a series of photos showing what they can do. After seeing my puppy in one today, I would never use one.
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