The Show

As we know these notices for public debate do not make the front page, except for here.

From the TimesNews

KINGSPORT — King College on Tuesday laid out its vision of creating a $150 million school of medicine in Kingsport and Bristol by 2012 — with officials saying the economic impact of the endeavor would be transformational for the region.

Jordan envisions the project costing $150 million — $100 million for the construction of and equipment for the two campuses, with $50 million going toward the operation of the university for the first five years. Jordan told the BMA he sees $50 million coming from Kingsport, Bristol and Sullivan County, $50 million coming from the state of Tennessee and $50 million in private donations.

Nearly all of the BMA voiced support for the project during Tuesday’s meeting.

“This is not going to be easy in these economic times, but nothing is ever easy when you talk of something of this magnitude,” Mayor Dennis Phillips said.

Alderman Larry Munsey said the economic benefits are very attractive and think they are realistic.

“There are tremendous benefits in doing this. Having said that, we don’t have $50 million and no other city around here does either,” Munsey said. “There has got to be another way of doing this. I am very supportive, I’d love to see us start in that type of dialogue and hopefully be successful.”

Phillips said if Kingsport were to fund $40 million for the project, property taxes would have to be raised 25 cents.

“Unless that’s really sold, there won’t be a board member here two years from now,” Phillips said. “The public has to buy into this as something we really need to do.”

Vice Mayor Ben Mallicote said the project could be of the magnitude of Eastman and solidify Kingsport’s economic position for the next 30 years.

It has to be sold to the public this is the pitch line.  We already have a place in the Tri-Cities that does a great job at this. Are we going to over lap services now? This market is already saturated around here with nursing, we do not need to make it worse.

Maybe this will be a chance to look at having a metro government in the Tri-Cities.  Tell your friends about it, call let them know you are against this ridiculous spending and A TAX HIKE

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