Saving NGMC a ‘mission

Time was of the essence. With a Jan. 27 deadline looming to file an appeal against a proposed lease arrangement that would leave North Georgia Medical Center without an operating room and overnight care, the Joint Development Authority took the lead earlier this week in delivering a petition to the state Department of Community Affairs. Chuck Scragg – director of the authority comprised of the governments of Gilmer County, Ellijay and East Ellijay – was preparing to leave for Atlanta on Tuesday morning to try and slow down the five-year lease deal between North Georgia Medical and Piedmont Mountainside hospital when contacted by the Times-Courier.