EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a selection of responses shared by our of MDJonline.com in reaction to recent MDJ articles:

A City Divided: Employees, doctors differ on proposed Marietta clinic

Give me liberty wrote: The obvious disdain shown for Mr. Wills by a few Marietta "government workers" says it all. We have created a special class of public servants who believe that they are entitled to just about anything they can conjure up (as evidenced by the revelation of life time health benefits for any elected official having served at the public will). I felt the hearing was a dog and pony show put on to sugar coat what Mr. Bruton and his staff have already set in motion to pass. And, if the taxpayers of Marietta do not increase vocal opposition, we will be stuck with another failed vision of cost savings run amuck. Has Mr. Bruton looked at cutting benefits rather than creating one? I seriously doubt it.

Same song wrote: Please, someone tell me, they aren't going to rush this thing through without more study! Tell Thunder this is not another "mosque emergency"! The politicians need to understand that we voters, we taxpayers, are watching what is happening in our city government. It does not sound like we are rolling in money if someone has not had a raise in three years. How about looking into this more closely?

MiddleMan wrote: I stopped going to Wellstar Urgent Care, because they could not treat anything but a runny nose. If you broke a finger, you paid their fee and then were told to go to an orthopedic. I'll just go to my internal medicine doctor or specialists to begin with. The city should offer an HMO and it would basically do the same thing.

Why not WellStar wrote: If this type of clinic is truly needed to save money, and if proved it can provide GOOD health care, why are we not strongly urging WellStar do it? I understand they wouldn't even consider the RFP. They take and take but didn't want to do this. WellStar pays no taxes but has all of the city services, even obtaining concessions to close streets, absorb property, etc.? Perhaps the city should have pushed harder ...tit for tat. With so many unemployed, "right here in River City".....why are we even considering an out of state company? Many other excellent arguments made last night at the meeting.

MoreOthesame wrote: True, the employees I've called do want a clinic. Employees, just like you, me or anyone else don't want to see more of their pay gone to pay higher premiums of Obamacare. City employees can't afford to live in Pearlberg's ward so apparently they have no voice because they happen to not make a million or so a year! Get real here! Prarlberg is protecting the doctors who really shouldn't be afraid of losing patients if they run a good practice ... called competition. I thought that was one reason we are grumbling against Obama. This is really very simple- doctors make tons of money so listen it appears only their opinion matters. Who is listening to 1200 or so workers, retirees and dependents? These are the people we attend church with, our kids play ball with, our grandchildren see in the parks. This plan helps the employees WHILE saving the city money... You be the judge, just who has the voice here- only the million dollar doctors.