Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Accession number |
2019.056 |
Catalog Number |
2019.056.260 |
Object Name |
Correspondence |
Date |
21 May 1988 |
Title |
Correspondence between Buzz Wojecki and Carl. |
Caption |
Letter from Buzz Wojeck to Carl |
Scope & Content |
May 21, 1988, C.A.Wojecki wrote a letter to Carl discussing the issues and past issues surrounding the sell of Bossier Medical Center. City Council City Of Bossier City P.O. Box 5337 Bossier City, Louisiana 71111 May 21, 1988 Dear Carl, I read with interest the Journal's "Sell Bossier Med". Since you shared some "perspective" with me yesterday, I thought you might find the following to be of "some" interest. Trivia Question: Who was the first elected official from Bossier to suggest the idea of selling Bossier Medical Center with the funds going to an inviolate trust? James Cathey? Marvin Anding? Don Jones? Buzz Wojecki? If you had named the latter you get to spin the Wheel of Fortune. In the late 70's I suggested the sale at great political expense. BMC is a formidable political entity not unlike the military-industrial complex. Marvin Anding very late in his last days of office came forward as Mr. Mayor and said Bossier should sell the hospital. When he brought the issue to the Council table, a near violent discussion ensued. When the dust has settled, only one Councilman supported the Mayor…Moi. The editorial was incorrect in stating that this proposition came within a hair of being placed on the ballot. I know I was there. (It had no chance!) Mayor Anding had nurtured the idea in his own mind without building the necessary constituency, particularly on the Council. His poor health which had given a lame duck status and the overwhelming opposition of the BMC force combine to bring this issue to resounding defeat. Mayor Jones is in a somewhat similar situation. While he is in good physical health, his political health is questionable. His loss of Montgomery (which the Journal played a key role in constructing, albeit unintentional) and the weekly rumors of his wanting to go to Washington, Baton Rouge, and Japan have given him somewhat of a lameduck status in Bossier too. In short, his "Mojo" does not seem sufficient to the task. The fiscal fiasco of Bossier's finance has also brought into question the credibility of the Bossier Council. It's "Mojo" is in trouble too, and it diminishes with each passing day as we wind our way to the end of this term, only a year away. In short, my dear Blue Flyer friend, though righteousness may be on the side of selling the hospital (and I think it is), we must remember that "Might Makes Right". We are almost in the same posture as when Mayor Anding came forward with his attack. Too little, too late. From your side of the River it appears a logical and simple thing to do. Not so, from this side, and I, remember, am one who has been identified as the progenitor of this idea. Here's my bet. If Jones doesn't go to Baton Rouge, then there will be no sale. If Jones does go to Baton Rouge, Bossier is in for a really tough time. We have got to raise revenues in '88 or face another round of layoffs. I am not sure a Mayor Pro Team will be in the position to do the necessary things to save us from further losses. As to your question about timing an election. It would be better for Bossier to have a special election as soon as possible so that a duly elected Mayor can get on with the job of rescuing this sinking ship. To postpone the election invites nearly a year of delay that could be extremely costly. That's my point of view. You may recall when Blackburn was Mayor Pro Tem after Anding, he did precious little during that time so as not to antagonize anyone. I don't think Bossier has the luxury of time to pull itself out. If Bossier Medical Center is ever sold, I prophesy that it will happen under these and only these conditions. A duly elected Mayor in his first or second year of office with the support of Council other than the one you see there today has a fighting chance of selling that hospital. To wait to the end of your first term is too late (because you want to get re-elected), and to bring it up in your second term is too late as your "Mojo" winds down. That Don has brought this issue up now suggests to me that he very much want to move on to something else. In short, BMC won't go on the auction block in this term for the reasons outlined above. Another Big Mac…or if your ready…some real money. This is my perspective on this and I will be glad to discuss this or any other issue that you have on your mind. This letter is one between friends and not for publication. Your Bearkat Friend, Buzz |
People |
Wojecki, Chester A. "Buzz", Jr. |
Search Terms |
Bossier City Bossier City Council Bossier City Politics and Government Bossier Medical Center Hospitals Newspaper, Shreveport Journal Church of The Living God |
Imagefile |
052\2019056260.JPG |
Inventoried date |
2023-12-28 |