1. The tax burden proposed on the average property owner has been understated and misleading by the proponents of Measure C.
Assuming the bond passes and the parcel tax is renewed ~ the financial impact on the average property owner supporting the local public hospital is likely to be three to four times the current $130 parcel tax after three years.
It would have a dramatic negative effect on property owners with fixed incomes.
2. It is the Association's opinion that the total cost of the $148 million bond has not been appropriately disclosed. The total debt service, including interest expense, is estimated at $289 million over the life of the bond.
3. If the District's projected 10 percent annual growth rate in
assessed value is not achieved during the life of the bonds ~ then the property owners will be obligated to make up the difference.
4. It has not been adequately demonstrated that a $148 million hospital is needed given current trend from in-patient to out-patient care, as well as an aging population that is healthier.
5. The existing hospital is not 50 years old. The original building is that old, however additions to the hospital complex are more current.
Granted the hospital must meet state seismic requirements, however the information we received from the Office of State Health Planning and development ( OSHPD ) indicated that all retrofits had to be completed , with extensions, by 2013.
Given that the hospital beds are currently only 30% occupied, it would seem prudent to shift hospital functions among other existing buildings while seismic retrofits and new construction takes place on the existing site.
Signed by Jim Levin, Executive Director, Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association
This, of course, was not what the Hospital wanted to hear ~ but the second dagger of truth is the voice of the Doctors who have been seemingly pressured into supporting a deeply flawed and unrealistic plan.
Follow the money and you might begin to understand the thinking behind a new 289 million dollar complex with six operating rooms,70 beds,a Helipad and medical office building. Think Steve Page, who runs nearby Infineon Raceway and not only co-chairs but has given significant money to the Yes campaign, and your on the right track.
The plan calls for a two-story hospital with six operating suites, 70 beds and a helipad. A privately financed medical office building would be built adjacent to the hospital. The complex would have about two acres of parking.
But critics have unloaded a truckload of issues, including assertions that hospital administrators have tried to strong-arm physicians into supporting the bond measure. Top hospital staff members flatly denied any attempt to pressure doctors.
"As doctors, some of us are in a difficult position," said Dr. Dennis Verducci, who is affiliated with the hospital. "I don't support (Measure C), and that's not looked at very favorably by the administration. There is a significant number of doctors who are opposed to it. There was a mailer (the administrators) wanted to send out that said all the doctors were for it. We didn't want to sign it, so they called us in to discuss it.
"My partner and I have taken care of the Leveroni family," he said. "I don't think their land should be taken from them, not when there's a willing seller elsewhere. As far as I'm concerned, they are not going to lose the hospital, even if the bond measure fails. They'll make another plan."
Measure C seems to be mortally wounded and sinking fast for the hospital appears to be running out of fears ( Doctors will leave, Hospital will close, people will die, etc ).
As such, the hospital may be coming face to face with another fear ~ the stark reality that Measure C has now become a referendum on the survival of the hospital board and administrative team ~ not the survival of the hospital.
Allen L Roland
