People just want to know the news, even if it's bad, said Youngstown Mayor James Williams.
Williams is just one of several elected leaders in the Mahoning Valley to express growing frustration over the lack of information on Forum Health, specifically who offered bids to buy the system's assets or what will ultimately happen to Northside, Hillside and Trumbull Memorial Hospitals.
Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, claimed the Forum board isn't being up front and honest with Valley residents.
Wednesday, sources told us one of the bids submitted from Humility of Mary Health Partners is no longer being considered. That leaves three other bids that officials know very little, if anything, about. Williams said the lack of information "oftentimes opens up speculation theories that may or may not have credibility."
Some of that speculation is beginning to center on money donated in recent years to Forum's philanthropic foundations. Hagan claims that money is now mysteriously unaccounted for and he's wants to know where it went.
While no one from Forum will say anything about Hagan's allegations, the lawmaker said he's now turning to the Ohio Attorney General's office to get some of the answers he and others are looking for.
With so many jobs potentially on the line with Forum and its three area hospitals, Williams said he and other leaders have been exploring the idea of somehow obtaining and using federal economic stimulus dollars to enhance Forum's chances in the Valley.
He hopes to discuss that with officials in Washington next week.
