Mayor shrugs off criticism, plans to cut ribbon

Mayor Art Ward said today he's been asked by quite a few people to skip the grand opening for the Hospital of Central Connecticu's new facility at the corner of Pine and Middle streets. The ribbon cutting for the big new medical facility is slated for 9 a.m. Wednesday. Bristol Hospital supporters see the new facility as a direct threat to the local institution, which is seeking to sell itself to a for-profit company as part of a long-term plan to expand and renovate. Some have privately called on the mayor to side with Bristol Hospital by shunning the opening ceremony for the competition. But Ward said he's going to attend anyway. He said that whenever a business opens its doors, hires people and boosts Bristol's economy, he feels a responsibility to be there to wish them well. He said it's not his job to pick from among competitors, even when one of them saved his life a few years ago after he choked on a steak sandwich. I'm told, by the way, the new medical facility is quite something, with a lot of high-tech stuff that's not often available in places such as Bristol. I'm sure we'll hear more about it all soon.
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