KXLF

Posted: Mar 11, 2010 5:38 PM
Updated: Mar 15, 2010 10:33 AM

The veterans' home site selection committee ended its tour of Southwest Montana in Anaconda Thursday as Deer Lodge made its pitch. 

Singing kicked off Deer Lodge County's bid for a proposed veterans' home. The public filled Washoe Theatre to show support for the home coming in Anaconda.

Anaconda-Deer Lodge Chief Executive Becky Guay welcomed the committee members and massive crowd.

"Our doors and our hearts are always open to those who need a place to call home a place to feel wanted needed and special.  We are honored to put out the welcome mat for our veterans," Guay said.

At the presentation the main focus was the local hospital and the Superfund site.  There were panels for both topics that presented and answered questions.

The hospital panel sat on stage first to present why they can care for the veterans.

"Respecting the dignity and recognizing the work that each person is the foundation of the commitment to our care," hospital CEO Steve McNeece said.

"At Community Hospital and Nursing Home of Anaconda we foster a collaborative culture of quality and safety," Meg Hickey-Boynton, hospital HR director, said.

Committee members asked about the number of gerontology physicians and if practices were open to take new patients. 

Then the Superfund site panel took its place on stage to explain that both sites the county is proposing for the home are safe. The panel answered questions concerning the slag pile and if the land at both sites had been cleaned up yet. 

Later in the day, committee members visited the sites.  The first option was donated by Anaconda Community Hospital and sits just next to the hospital.  Option two is near the golf course that was donated by the Anaconda Local Development Corporation. 

The committee will begin the decision making process for what county gets the veterans' home next week.