Celina Mayor Starts Term With Resolution Supporting Local Hospital

The newly elected Celina Mayor and Board of Aldermen wasted no time starting city business Tuesday, passing a resolution in support of the Cumberland River Hospital.

The hospital closed last August after disagreements with local EMS and financing issues. Mayor Luke Collins said the intent is to show that Celina wants the hospital open.

“The hospital is not gone yet,” Collins said. “The building is still there, and the owner is very interested in reopening the hospital. All the aldermen want to do it. I want to do it. As a matter of fact, I don’t know anybody that doesn’t”

Collins said he plans to reach out to Hospital Owner Johnny Presley about the situation. Collins said he would like to try to schedule a hospital stakeholders meeting to discuss what can be done.

“From my perspective, we would prefer it remain a hospital,” Collins said. “Now, it is not my decision. I don’t own it, but I would certainly hope that we can work it out with Johnny before he might do something else with it.”

In the past, Presley has said he would not reopen the facility without the support of local government and EMS. Collins said the resolution proves Celina wants to establish a better relationship.

“We need to listen to what Johnny says and what his needs are,” Collins said. “We can do it. I am 100 percent positive we can do it. We just have to make it happen.