graybeard:  Those "old, losing arguments" against the building of the JC Hospital are not "pointless". They are, in fact, the very arguments which support the Hospital's closure.  It's unnecessary, at $425K per patient, it's unbelieveably expensive, and the patients could be reintegrated into the Salem Hospital with the lowest-risk patients transferred to community-based facilities.  Remember the closure isn't set until mid-year 2018.  This affords ample time for a well-planned transition to a far more treatment effective and cost effective mental health system.  Clearly, part of that savings needs to be directed toward community mental health programs.  Let's hope it will be.  regards, Gary