Thanks to Mike Goens, managing editor of the TimesDaily, for setting the record straight with regard to the new hospital for Lauderdale County. The only item Goens did not address is the fact the hospital group has a contract to build the hospital that does not include any mention of how the ambulance service is provided.

The Lauderdale County Commission put out bids and found all things equal in the bids but the cost.

State law requires the commissioners to take the low bid in such a case.

The decision by Larry Irons, Fay Parker and Rhea Fulmer to stay with the lowest bid saved the citizens of Lauderdale County approximately $2 million per year of out-of-pocket expense.

Some in the community have painted these commissioners as not supporting the new hospital. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We should be thanking them for following the law and standing on their principles.

Also, the present ambulance service made 40,000 runs in four years with only one complaint.

Hank Thomas

Waterloo