Opinions

 

Last year, Ty Cobb Healthcare moved its trailer (left) to the front, and attached it to existing facilities in anticipation of the opening of Royston Diagnostic’s medical complex (right), which opened in October.

TY COBB HEALTHCARE MOVES TO STIFLE COMPETITION THROUGH QUESTIONABLE LOCAL POLITICS

In a move to head them off at the pass and retain its virtual non-taxed monopoly of local healthcare, Ty Cobb Healthcare filed suit last week against the state to shut down Royston Diagnostic Center.

We visited Royston Diagnostic this morning (January 26), and found the lobby empty. Later we were able to speak to Mr. Richard Gray, the owner of the center. Understandably, Mr. Gray was not in a position to provide information other than to verify that our source was accurate, and that the Center was closed temporarily, due to legal action taken by Ty Cobb. He seemed optimistic that the problem could be solved.

We hope so. With both Franklin County and the City of Royston hard pressed to increase their tax bases, it is a sad commentary that local politics and those who have controlled this community for years can shut down one of the largest property tax payers to come into this county and city in years.

What you may be told is the legalese of something about a "certificate of need’. Don’t you believe it! The need is to satisfy the "needs" of a few local power interests.

It is time for the citizens of Royston and the tri-county to wake up and fight back. This is a good place to start.

(We did not attempt to contact Ty Cobb or their legal representatives, feeling that it would be a waste of time. They are welcome to rebut this opinion, but don’t hold your breath. Ed.)