Students gather around pickups flying an assortment of flags in the Windsor High School parking lot on March 26. (James Redmond, Greeley Tribune)
During the past several weeks, there have been considerable write-ups on the construction cost overruns on the new Veterans Affairs hospital in Aurora. The price has escalated to an unbelievable $1.7 billion — five times the original estimate.
What better time than now to look at another avenue for gathering funds to pay down this cost? The hospital complex consists of multiple buildings. Why not offer the public the opportunity to have a building named in their honor — with a designated donation? Colleges and noted hospitals have done it through the years — why not a VA hospital?
I can’t think of anyone not being more proud than when they recognize the military service of our men and women through a donation toward an edifice that heals the wounds, both physical and mental, of our national heroes.
At age 85, I still believe there are citizens among us who will stand and answer this call.
Charles E. Toner,Aurora
This letter was published in the April 8 edition.The Aurora VA hospital is woefully over budget for the same reason that the health care website rollout failed. In this era of smaller budgets, the government doesn’t save money, it pretends to save money. Rather than contract at a fair price, some officials contract at a fraction of the true price. The result either goes unused or requires expensive rework. This approach produces a low-quality result while requiring far more time and funding than a good solution would have.
Fix the problem on both ends. Companies that go along with these charades should be held to the letter of the contract they sign, not rewarded with more money. On the government side, there must be accountability for creating “let’s pretend” projects. Some of the best people you’ll ever meet work in government and would love to turn things around.
Jim Simons,Centennial
This letter was published in the April 8 edition.
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