It should not come to the surprise of anyone who follows local politics that elected officials will try to return election night favors to their special interests supporters and friends in the form of jobs and, or municipal contracts.
This seems to be the case in Aventura, Florida, where the newly elected Democrat Mayor Enid Weisman is apparently rushing the approval of a questionable helipad for the existing for-profit Aventura Hospital.A vote to give the “all-clear” to construct the helipad in question is slated for Tuesday January 6, 2015.
Weisman currently serves as the chairwoman of the hospital’s board of trustees, and hopes to make Aventura hospital into a trauma center.
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The patient always comes first. I think that is everyone’s goal, but if Aventura Hospital becomes a trauma center, the end result will be that the hospital will receive a huge boost in critically ill patient traffic, which translates into a significant financial wind-fall for the hospital and its board of directors.
The hospital receiving a potential financial wind-fall with the construction of the helipad is an understatement, considering the amount of fees patients will be hit with in comparison to the fees other non-profit trauma centers currently charge.
According to a recent Tampa Bay Times report, for-profit hospitals like Aventura Hospital could bill “$23,000 – $34,000 to trauma patients compared to $1,100 – $4,700 by other local hospitals.”That is a pretty good chunk of change for the hospital, right?
Do you see where Weisman’s mayoral position would probably be a conflict of interest?
Weisman and friends seem to be pushing the helipad without that the counsel of the local Fire and Rescue, and without the blessing of the FAA, who has not approved the proposed helicopter flight plan.
Wonderful time at the @USGLC Luncheon in Miami with @DWStweets, @RepTedDeutch and @DrSeanForeman! pic.twitter.com/4V4QRsJFl7
— Enid Weisman (@EnidWeisman) May 19, 2014
Not only have these first responders been kept in the dark about the process to construct the helipad, the taxpaying residents of Aventura, as well those living in the neighboring the city of Hallandale Beach- whose airspace would be used according in the currently proposed helicopter flight plan- have also been kept out of the loop.
In speaking to several Aventura residents, the common concern that they all have about a new helipad at Aventura hospital is the potential noise that will be created.
The hospital is nestled just off a railroad track that divides Aventura, North Miami, and Hallandale Beach neighborhoods, who except for the occasional train, residence enjoy a pretty quiet existence.
One Aventura resident question the need for a trauma center, when there are already three top tier, helicopter-friendly trauma centers with 15 miles of the city of Aventura.Again, the helipad measure will come to a vote this week.