During a time when our economy is depressed, development has come to a halt and the near future is bleak, we need to look to the glimmers of light that lead us out of these times.

This is why I don't understand the constant debate over the proposed hospital in northern Summit county. Summa has stated that jobs won't be cut (and have hinted that more will be added). Rather than continuing to ask residents for more tax revenue, this project will generate those much needed taxes for the cities involved. It will continue to cement northeast Ohio as a mecca for healthcare. So what's the fuss?

Is it that other hospitals don't want competition? Or do they just want to inconvenience residents of Hudson, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow and make them drive to parts of downtown Akron that aren't the safest or easiest to get to?

There has been lots of talk about being for profit and owned by doctors. Are they saying that the current hospitals are in the business of losing money and that the doctors who work there do it for free? No. Their doctors make money and their profits just go untaxed into their foundations.

Here's the bottom line in my opinion. Local officials need to do what's best for their residents. They shouldn't be swayed by business leaders or hospital chairman that want to protect their businesses at the risk of lives and ignoring where the population is moving. Listen to the people in the community who want close health care in a safe environment. Let this be capitalistic - let the patients choose with their feet and their pocketbooks.