Eileen's letter in the Bee

East Sac to Mercy: Enough!

Re "Expand Heart Center in East Sac," letter, Oct. 18: At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Mercy Hospital expansion proponents extolled the benefits of a new building for Sacred Heart, a private school. There was no mention of the safety of the many public schoolchildren who must negotiate the already treacherous intersections along 39th Street.

Mercy corporate representatives also characterized their expansion as "smart growth." But what is so smart about tearing down vintage homes, adding parking lots and increasing traffic and pollution?

In my neighborhood, the over-sized home remodels that dwarf surrounding houses and rob adjacent homes of natural light are called McMansions. With its vast scope, size and scale, Mercy's plan to expand yet again is even more egregious. I pray the City Council doesn't allow my neighborhood to become the home of McMercy.

Their plans are a 20th century solution to a 21st century problem. Hospital representatives referred often to the "Mercy family." I know of no families with the deep pockets and clout of Catholic Healthcare West. But I do know that if anyone in my family went too far and took too much, an intervention would be needed. Now it's necessary to tell Mercy, "You've had enough. It's time to stop."

- Eileen Lynch, Sacramento

http://www.sacbee.com/326/story/445911.html