[Nfb-or] Here is the latest news from the OSB front.

[Mike Freeman]

What a surprise! NOT!

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kendra Schaber" <Baltimore777 at comcast.net>
To: <nfb-or at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 10:31 AM
Subject: [Nfb-or] Here is the latest news from the OSB front.


> http://www.thelundreport.org/resource/salem_hospital_eyes_school_for_the_blind
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> Salem Hospital Eyes School for the Blind
> Oregon's legislature will decide the school's fate when it meets in 
> February
> By: Diane Lund-Muzikant
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> January 14, 2010 -- 
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> Salem Hospital and Willamette University are interested in purchasing the 
> Oregon School for the Blind, reliable sources have told The Lund Report. 
> Both declined to comment.
> A Willamette University spokesman said the school "may potentially be 
> interested if the property goes up for sale," but declined to comment 
> further.
>
> The school, which is located near the hospital and university, closed last 
> summer. Consultants have been hired by the Department of Administrative 
> Services to evaluate whether the school should be sold outright or its 
> dilapidated buildings torn down first, according to Lonn Hoklin, the 
> governor's public relations spokesperson. "The goal is to maximize the 
> return," he said.
>
> The consultant's report, which will include an appraisal, should be 
> completed when the legislature convenes in February so that a decision can 
> be made, he added.
>
> House Education Chairwoman Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), an advocate for 
> disabled students, led the effort to close the 135-year-old school.
>
> If Salem Hospital becomes its new owner, some people in the community 
> question how the hospital could come up with the financing.
>
> Last November its CEO, Norman Gruber, sent his staff a memo announcing 
> cutbacks of $9 million in 2010, which unleashed a hailstorm. Salem 
> residents called the hospital a country club because of its expensive 
> artwork and furnishings, new construction and bad planning decisions.
>
> After losing $2 million in September and facing losses last summer as 
> well, Gruber told his staff he might have to close or sell the hospital's 
> home health agency because of declining revenues.
>
> "Going forward, however," he wrote, "we are operating with a negative 
> margin unless we make a course correction."  END
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> PS:  Julie McEvoy, please send your new email again!  Lynn
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