« Government shutdown: A dire picture | Main | Identify theft is crossing state lines »
June 22, 2005
Minnesota town struggles as its school and hospital close.
Starbuck is a small Minnesota town struggling after being hit in one month with the closure of an elementary school and a hospital. With a population of only 1400, the residents are worrying about the future of their town.
Due ta a poor funding from the state and a declining enrollment at the school cost a situation for a closure. Therefore, students have to take a half an hour bus ride to Glenwood a near by town for classes.
For the hospital, it closure is due to an economy hardships on both the customers and the hospital. The residents of Starbuck have worried for many years about losing their hospital. Eventhough it was the smallest in the state with one bed only but however; it provided the best service for its customers.
On a positive note for Starbuck is her fine location which is off the shore of lake Minnewaska. The lake is the 13th largest in Minnesota. The leaders of Starbuck are hoping that its recreational haven could be use to draw more tourists. Also there are plans to appeal to retirees who're looking for a reasonable price lake home.
I think Starbuck problem needs serious attention in order to save the town.
Source: www.mpr.org
Comments
One thing to remember is that being they are a small town there is not as much money as there is a big town. Many people like to stay in smaill towns rather than large ones. I think that is what happens in small towns. How far away is the nearest hospital?? If it is hours away than that is something that residents in this town may have to think about if they need to relocate. The school thing I don't think is as big of a deal because in my town when I was a kid it was about a 20-25 minute ride to town because we lived so far out in the country, but family choose to have it that way. I think it all depends on the people and what is right for their families.
Posted by: Dianna at June 23, 2005 10:05 AM