Hence, the value built one patient contact at a time since the late 40s allowed to fill the pockets of yet another small band of baggers. And yes, some of that band may be still among us.

Sometimes it takes a “hero” to remind us what these negative tenets of history are all about when they reappear only to become embedded in locale spots of value.

Recall news editor Tom Hennion from Tulare’s yesteryears…a man nearly single-handedly who cleaned up the value-sucking travesties of Front Street red-light businesses? He rode them out on a rail, not w/a bat or gun, but w/a pen!

It would have refreshing to have had a hero nearby the very first day these new baggers strolled through town. A hero w/historical perspective enough to see clearly that all that need be said would have been a simple “No thanks.”

There may have indeed been one such fellow around at the startup of this hospital value parade of baggers. A fixture of a half century of successful Tulare involvements ‘n leadership was perhaps a bit busy in other arenas at the onset. Nonetheless, his continually used reminder of that old Highway Patrolman Broderick Crawford’s adage at the end of each TV episode: “Watch out for crooks.” would have served and saved our community well.

The “magnificent” one laughted all the way to the bank!