HOOVER — Many Alabamans aren't aware of the Certificate of Need (CON) process. The sheer number of acronyms used in an ordinary conversation about one can be confounding, and the process itself requires a two-page flow chart to understand.
However, the ongoing hearing in Hoover over a contested facility has given a fascinating look into far more than the proposed facility itself — the Riverchase Surgery and Diagnostics Center.
It sheds light on some of the City of Hoover's hidden inner workings and conflicts between major players, families and friends regarding the city's current direction and finances. Questions abound related to the generous economic incentives and high obligations that would come with the project.
The hearings, which started with a less-than-transparent late-night Holiday press alert, quickly descended into a spectacle of accusations, including those of blackmail and threats.
The application for the Riverchase Surgery and Diagnostics Center wasn't exactly light reading as its enclosures involved letters of support, an economic development study and more.
Even so, it came as a surprise to those in attendance that several witnesses, including Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and City Council President John Lyda, admitted under oath that they hadn't read the whole application.
Reviewing the full document took several hours, and State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) admitted he fell asleep several times while doing so.
The first week's testimony was largely unconvincing regarding the need for this specific facility at this particular location, partially because nearly every witness focused on the economic development potential of the surrounding development rather than the healthcare needs themselves.
That point was never more apparent than in Lyda's testimony when opponents asked him directly, "Is this really an economic development project for the City of Hoover?" To which he responded, "Absolutely."
City attorneys saw the danger in that forthright answer and nearly immediately sought to clean up the record. However, there was irony in the clarifying questions coming as a declared effort so that others could not "twist things."
The city sought to clarify the type of project that it was. First, they did so by asking Lyda directly if the project was a healthcare project "as well." To which he answered that it is. After some back and forth, the city lawyers walked back the first answer from the councilman and asked the question again, this time more leading, "Mr. Lyda, just so we're absolutely clear for the record that you are not testifying that this is primarily an economic development project?" To which he replied, "That's correct," and the next witness was called.
The hearings continue for a second week, Monday, June 3.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on, and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie@altoday.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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