Small number of people stand in the way of progress

January 14, 2008 10:35 pm

— After reading the front page story about the golf course, I was reminded of a similar experience I had in 2002-03. I met with the CEO of Ottumwa Regional (L. Olson) and was told that the University of Iowa Clinic building was not going to be used by ORHC until the lease was over. The University of Iowa wanted to sub-lease some of the clinic, so I contacted them and was preparing to move my office into the building. Before the lease agreement could be finalized, the University of Iowa had to tell ORHC that they were going to sub-lease some of the building. Two days after ORHC was told that I was going to move into the building, I was told that ORHC wanted the building back, which would not allow me to move in.
I was contacted by Olson and asked if I was interested in leasing office space at the Alta Vista Building. I met with an administrator and began making plans. After about four weeks of planning, I was contacted to speak with an administrator ... [who said], “we can not lease the office space to you.” I asked why [and] she said, “you know why.” I had no idea. I found out later that one of the physicians had found out that I was possibly moving an office into the AV site and he was not pleased.
I have lived in this community for over 10 years and I cannot understand how the “very” small number of people who stand in the way of progress sleep at night.
Dr. Charles Coram
Ottumwa