Between 300 and 400 people filled half the gym at Boothbay Region Elementary School in Boothbay Harbor Wednesday night, Aug. 22 to vent their frustrations on how the decision to close St. Andrews Hospital's emergency room was reached and also to offer ideas on how to remedy the situation.

St. Andrews Village resident Dan Jameson told the crowd how the hospital, and the community, has affected his life:

Boothbay Harbor selectman Jay D Warren: “I’m willing to work real hard to get this problem solved.”

St. Andrews Village resident Jean Barker encouraged fellow Boothbay Region residents to keep their hearts and minds open. 

Jeff Teel, Boothbay Harbor resident and owner of the Greenleaf Inn, raised some specific concerns regarding the closure of St. Andrews emergency services. “I don’t know if this issue is dead, as far as they’re concerned.”

Boothbay Harbor Selectman Bill Hamblen: “We need to get this task force together.”

Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, introduced a potential solution for residents of the Boothbay Region who want to save St. Andrews from ending its emergency services.

Southport Selectman Smith Climo: “I’m not here to hug; I’m here to help.”

Resident Don Caputo demanded solutions to the issue of St. Andrews Hospital ending its emergency services and asked fellow residents living on the Boothbay peninsula to talk about solutions.

Rep. Les Fossel, R-Alna: “The question is, how can we provide the best healthcare with the resources we have?”

Executive Director of Lincoln County Economic Development Office (LCEDO) Mary Ellen Barnes said her organization wants to be a part of the solution in response to the closure of St. Andrews Hospital emergency services.

 Click here for the article on the meeting, or see our photo gallery for more quotes.