By John Howell

The Tri-Lakes Medical Center moved closer to the end of its bankruptcy Monday with the selection of a “stalking horse” bidder as part of a section 363 asset sale.

Tri-Lakes’ bankruptcy attorney Craig Geno identified the stalking horse as Alliance Health Partners, LLC. Tri-Lakes Chief Restructuring Officer Michael Morgan said that the company “includes local physicians as part of that group.”

Drs. Mike Havens and William Haire are part of the Alliance group, Havens confirmed Thursday. Alliance Health Partners was incorporated in 2004. Ridgeland attorney Thomas L. Kirkland of the Copeland, Cook, Taylor and Bush law firm is listed by the Mississippi Secretary of State as registered agent.

Selection of Alliance Health Partners apparently triggered a Wednesday meeting at the Batesville Public Library for supporters of another local group seeking purchase of the hospital, Doctors Hospital of North Central Mississippi. David Vance moderated a meeting with a representative from the office of Congressman Travis Childers, Batesville Alderman Bill Dugger said.

Doctors Hospital of North Central Mississippi is a non-profit corporation formed last month, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State. Robert Crites of Batesville is listed as registered agent.

“They talked like their group wasn’t getting a fair shake,” Dugger said. “I got the impression that they were trying to get some help from Travis Childers and get a big group there to show support,” he added.

Dugger said that he received a call at 1 p.m. about the meeting starting at 2 p.m. About 50 people, including aldermen Bobbie Jean and Teddy Morrow attended, Dugger said. The Panolian was not invited to the meeting.

  The bidder selected as “stalking horse” in a Section 363 sale performs extensive due diligence on a bankrupt facility and makes an offer to purchase its assets. The offer is open for inspection by other potential bidders.

“Everybody has a fair chance; they can make a bid; it’s really up to the bankruptcy court,” CRO Morgan said.