Butler County residents are interested in the future of Butler Memorial Hospital.

That has been clearly evident from the concern expressed over the proposal to either build a new hospital or renovate the existing facility.

The Save Our Hospital campaign is based on concern over whether the right decisions ultimately will be made. The community has expressed fears that decisions ultimately proved wrong could put the hospital in a bad financial position and, thus, a candidate for takeover by some outside hospital conglomerate.

Those are legitimate concerns and fears.

The March 21 issue of the hospital's newsletter to employees, "tuesday am," from hospital president and chief executive officer Joseph Stewart, provides some insight as to what's ahead regarding the hospital.

"The board is reviewing all the information and professional studies that have been gathered and a decision could happen as early as April," the newsletter says. "When a dcision is made, we will share the news with you and the community as soon as possible."

"Sharing the news" should not mean issuing a news release on how the hospital will proceed. "Sharing the news" should instead mean scheduling a meeting with the public to reveal what studies have concluded and asking for input prior to a decision being finalized.

The community must realize and acknowledge that the hospital's board of trustees, working in cooperation with the BMH administration, has the final say on what path the hospital pursues. However, it would be incorrect for the hospital not to allow the community to react to what the latest studies show, before the final vote on how to proceed is cast.

"As you know, there have been a lot of discussions and debates in the community about the future of BMH," Stewart says in the newsletter.

Apparently hospital officials already have committed themselves to the "do-something option" and not to be content with the East Brady Street facility as it currently exists. The newsletter says "we have already signed a Project Labor Agreement with our local building trades union leader making this commitment" to keep construction jobs local if a new hospital is built.

"Stay tuned for more information about how we will work together to build a healthy future for our patients and the community of Butler County," the newsletter says.

"If you'd like to share your thoughts or if you have additional questions, please let me know," the newsletter concludes, with an exclamation point.

That is the kind of attitude that should prevail about the studies and decision, in terms of the general public's role in the overall hospital picture.