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HOSPITAL DOESN'T GET IT / VOTE NO ON MEASURE C
On the verge of a shattering defeat by the NO on C campaign ~ the YES on C committee folded its tents under the rationale that another site had been offered . What the YES campaign did not get was that this bond measure has become a referendum on the survival of the board and administrative team ~ who initiated a false and grossly misleading scare campaign inorder to sell a large, unnecessary and costly hospital complex . As such, the NO on C campaign continues to recommend a NO vote on your mail - in ballots: Allen L Roland
The dagger in the heart of Sonoma Valley's controversal Measure C $148 million million bond issue was not just the unfair annexing through Eminent Domain of the Leveroni property ~ it was the NO recommendation to the voters of the district by the Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association ~ who thoroughly reviewed both sides of the measure and found the measure was not only unjustified but that its costs were misleading.
Here is their letter to the editor of the Sonoma SUN as well as some of my observations:
The Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association's Board of Directors have thoroughly reviewed Measure C, the Sonoma Valley Hospital facilities bond proposal. It has also met with the proponents and opponents of the measure.
After these deliberations the Association recommends to the voters of the Sonoma Valley Hospital District that they vote No on this ballot measure.
This recomendation is based on the following
conclusions;
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.
The Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association, founded in 1945, was formed to protect the interests of all county taxpayers.
It is not against all taxes, just those that cannot be justified.
We believe Measure C falls into that category.
Fred Levin
Executive Director,
Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association
It now appears that the Hospital board has lost control of its ambitious and overpaid administrative arm to the extent that the tail is now wagging the dog . Deals and proposals are apparently being suggested and discussed at local restaurants for alternative sites between Steve Page,Yes on C chairman and hospital officials. This ignores the reality that a majority of the Valley does not want this large costly hospital and would rather retrofit and build on site ~ like 75% of the hospitals in California have done who have delt with their seismic problem.
As such, the yes committee's slogan SAVE OUR HOSPITAL is actually a misnomer. Measure C is not about saving the hospital but, instead, it's about saving CEO Bob Kowal's unrealistic and costly visions of the hospital ~ which have very little to do with the real outpatient needs of the Sonoma Valley.
Need I mention Warrack Hospital in Santa Rosa who is closing its 69 bed hospital to become an outpatient center for surgical, diagnostic and rehabilitative care.
This bitter campaign has truly become the theater of the absurd to the extent that one of the Hospital board members, who calls himself a healer, has called for healing sessions with the community ~ when in reality the board needs to heal itself for it alone is responsible for the chaos it has created.
All of this, of course, will come to a head when the Board of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Health Care District will hold a special meeting at 6:30 PM at Vintage House Senior Center,264 First Street East, on Thursday, April 13th. A closed session of the board from 5 to 6:30 p.m. will precede the open meeting.
Perhaps at that time, a reminder to the board that they work for and represent us would be appropriate ~ as well as the purpose and intent of the Brown Act ;
The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.
Please vote NO on Measure C and send in your ballot ~ and please attend the Special meeting of the board on Thursday, April 13th, 6:30 p.m. at the Vintage House Senior Center.
Allen L Roland
A practicing psychotherapist in Sonoma Valley and former member of the Hospital administrative team in the mid 1980's. | 
