"We didn't give ourselves enough time," said hospital administrator John Rigsby this morning. "Quite honestly, we needed more time to disseminate information to the residents of Garrard County."

The official tally was completed late Monday, revealing that supporters came up with 982 signatures, 70 short of the required 1,052 needed in order for Garrard Fiscal Court to consider establishing the district.

Hospital board Chairman Russell Hester also cited the two and one half days that supporters had to secure needed signings. Hospital trustees voted to start the drive for the district Wednesday, Nov. 15. Deadline for signatures to be turned in to County Clerk Shelton Moss was noon Saturday.

This morning, supporters looked ahead.

Family physician Dr. Nicholas Martin has practiced medicine for 16 years here.

"Oh, it'll work," he said about securing enough signatures for a petition in the future. "Give us another week, and we'll do it."

Martin added, "Our whole emphasis now is not to be closed, but just to be open to deliver services to the people of Garrard County."

This morning, 11 of the 15 beds in the critical access hospital were occupied, said Rigsby, adding that health care provider censuses usually rise between September and March.

However, what happens long-term to the community hospital, in light of the setback with petitions this week, was uncertain.

Hospital trustees might decide to mount a second campaign for the taxing district. But County Attorney Jeff Moss emphasized, "I think that is going to be the question before the hospital board."

Supporters of the taxing district had repeatedly emphasized at a public meeting Friday night that tax revenue would go to pay the hospital debt, which would still be owed by Garrard Fiscal Court as the government body that owns the hospital.

Asked what remedies state law provides that Fiscal Court could take, Jeff Moss said that magistrates could vote to increase the unemployment tax, currently 1 percent of gross income or profits assessed against local employers and people self-employed.

But with only 18 percent of Garrard Countians working in Garrard County, the attorney underscored the unfair burden this would place on a small number of residents.

Jeff Moss said he regrets the outcome of the petition drive but emphasized that if the hospital board so chooses, a second drive might be successful.

"I was impressed by the number of signatures that we received in a short amount of time.

"I think that goes to a lot of hard work on the part of hospital employees and (concerned residents).

"I think, with more time, the result may be different. But basically it will be up to the hospital board as to whether or not they want to pursue this again."

With 27 years of experience in health care administration, including 17 at Garrard County Memorial Hospital, Rigsby has accepted the post of chief executive officer at Knox County General Hospital in Barbourville and will be leaving the local facility in mid-December.