A trip to Tennessee by the Marquette City Commission and some administration is a step in the right direction – literally – given the scope and importance of the pending hospital construction project.

Duke LifePoint, of course, is located there, prompting the venture.

Following discussion Monday, the panel OK’d a motion to authorize the trip on a 4-3 vote, with commissioners Sara Cambensy, Tom Baldini and Mike Conley voting against.

There was a sense on the part of some commissioners that such a trip might compromise the transparent nature of the Marquette-LifePoint relationship.

Others suggested LifePoint officials should come to them to provide updated information, as opposed to the city going to them.

Additionally, City Manager Bill Vajda noted LifePoint officials could possibly discuss reuse of the old hospital and potential designs for the new facility.

While we understand these points of view, especially the transparency concern, the bottom line is local residents want and deserve a continuous flow of good-quality information.

If this trip is what it takes to get it, so be it.