In a letter written to Steven Barlow, county executive, Cedar Recovery, an addiction recovery clinic ran by Dr. Stephen Loyd, decided to no longer pursue the Rickman location for the home of the newest clinic.
During the town hall event held on October 3 at Bilbrey’s Crossing in Rickman, the crowd seemed to have shared the same opinion about the proposed clinic. Not in my town by any means, was the sentiment expressed loud and clear.
One person shouted that if this clinic was opened, they would sell their house, and that was the tamest of threats. People shouted they would let pigs loose in or around the clinic. One person asked Loyd what his plan was if they got robbed like the old bank did on multiple occasions. The hostility showed toward Dr. Loyd and Cedar Recovery prompted Steven Barlow to tell the crowd not to burn the building down.
These comments and actions coupled with comments and private messages on social media prompted Cedar Recovery to withdraw their application for a certificate of need. Paul Trivette, Cedar Recovery’s chief strategy officer, stated in his letter “The level of hostility directed at our team during the meeting was unprecedented, unprofessional, and arguably, inhumane.” And “Given the threats and extreme anger displayed during the town hall event and on social media, Cedar cannot envision a viable path forward that ensures the safety of everyone involved.”
Trivitte also said directed at Barlow, “We deeply regret that you experienced mistreatment, verbal abuse, and hostility during this process, which was never our intention.” Barlow was holding the mic for the public comments section, and even though expressed his views in not backing the clinic urged the crowd to remain civil.
