Letters to the Editor 9-25-14

Support for Measure O
Editor:   
We are writing to express our support for Measure O, the Temporary City of Cloverdale Local Control/Fiscal Stability Measure on the November 4th ballot.  This measure is a 3% utility users tax that will provide locally-controlled funding to maintain Cloverdale’s essential city services.  Having attended city finance subcommittee meetings in the past and having talked more recently to our city officials, it is clear that Cloverdale’s financial situation continues to be tenuous.  The City has implemented numerous budget cuts, including reducing the number of city employees by over 20 percent, freezing salaries for the past six years, and reforming pensions.  Despite these efforts, there is little left to cut in the budget and this measure is needed to maintain essential city services.  Cloverdale has virtually no emergency reserves left, making the city vulnerable to an emergency, such as a natural disaster or further state budget cuts.  
We firmly believe that Cloverdale’s best days are ahead of us and that our property and sales tax revenues will improve over time.  But until those days arrive, an average of $10 per month (with exemptions for low income seniors) is not too much to ask for the city to have the financial wherewithal to maintain our infrastructure in a manner that will be attractive to new residents and businesses.  And this is not a permanent tax; Measure O sunsets at the end of 8 years.  The measure also includes provisions for audits and a citizen’s oversight committee.  So please join us in voting yes on Measure O on the upcoming November 4th ballot.
Bob Scott and Tim McDonald
Cloverdale
Overcoming obstacles
Editor:   
As the Board of Directors of North Sonoma County Healthcare District and Chief Executive Officer we thank Healdsburg Tribune publisher, Rollie Atkinson, for his recent timely editorial (“Our hospital’s crystal ball,” September 11, 2014). The editorial does a very good job of describing many of the obstacles facing small community hospitals in Sonoma County, such as our own Healdsburg District Hospital, as they struggle to adapt to these conditions and overcome their detrimental effect. Some hospitals will not make it: witness the recent closure of Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastapol. But we believe it can be done and we are committed to that outcome in our community.
We don’t have any crystal balls, but we do have a plan and we are executing it. As we write, our hospital is showing positive operating results for the first time in several years. Other measures to put the hospital on a solid financial footing for the future while maintaining and improving its well deserved reputation for very high quality locally provided healthcare services are being implemented. To do that we are leveraging our strengths: an executive team that knows how to lead and is not afraid to make changes in operations, whether or not popular, but vital to success; a committed and highly capable cadre of employees who do the heavy lifting every day; a superbly talented medical staff strongly devoted to our community; and most importantly, a community and the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County that has for years supported quality healthcare in our District.
Success will not come easily; however, we are making progress piece-by-piece, day-by-day, year-by-year, and according to a plan because we do not have a crystal ball.
Mr. Atkinson’s editorial has reminded us that just overcoming the obstacles is not enough. We need to do a better job of telling our story. Not just a one-sided exposition, but rather in the context of a conversation with the community we serve. We believe that is what Mr. Atkinson was suggesting, that we have a discussion about the challenges of healthcare. We also look forward to a robust conversation with all of you.
The Board of Directors, North Sonoma County Healthcare District: Bill Esselstein, Bill Hawn, Gary Anderson, Sue Campbell, EJ Neil
Healdsburg District Hospital CEO Nancy Schmid
Supporting Palla
Editor:   
It is an honor to work with Joe Palla on the Board of Directors for the California League of Cities. Joe is a respected member of our board who contributes to public policy discussions. He is thoughtful and always well prepared. Council Member Palla is a positive representative for the City of Cloverdale. His calm sensitive demeanor builds valuable partnerships on the board. Joe demonstrates a consensus building leadership style that would be a direct benefit to Cloverdale residents. I support Joe Palla for City Council.
Curtis Hunt
Vacaville City Council
Stable hospital
Editor:   
Thank you, Rollie Atkinson, for your thoughtful and articulate “Crystal Ball” editorial (September 11, 2014) on the state of community-based hospitals and their importance to the people and businesses of our neighborhoods.
We are pleased to report that — despite the pressures on many local hospitals today — Healdsburg District Hospital is well positioned to not only survive the current challenges, but maintain a stable positive cash flow while providing excellent care to our local residents.
Evidence across the country shows that the two most important factors in a rural hospital’s success are community support and effective management. And there can be no doubt — our community supports the Healdsburg District Hospital! In fact, it was the forward-thinking act of many generous Capital Campaign supporters that gave the hospital the infusion it needed to continue its vital role in the community. The ongoing support of community donors keeps the hospital at the cutting edge of technology, equipment, and medical care. In fact, the prestigious Kalmanovitz Foundation is currently partnering with our foundation on a matching campaign for technology upgrades.
Our hospital is now stable and steadily improving under effective management practices. For the first time in many years, the hospital is reporting months of positive cash flow, with projections to be operating in the black by year-end. New executive leadership throughout the organization are bringing fresh ideas to the challenges faced by community hospitals. The hospital has created strong financial controls, improved billing and collections, and embraced the new trend to increase outpatient services. It continues to make smart investments in technology funded by the Healthcare Foundation with community support. This technology increases revenues while providing the best in quality care.
Every one of us in this community benefits from having a strong local hospital. We hear stories from friends, neighbors and patients of the care received and the comfort taken from having our state-of-the-art emergency room and hospital services so close at hand. And we know the economic revenue that comes from 340 hospital employees and the thousands of visitors and patients who shop and frequent our local restaurants and businesses.
We are committed to keeping our hospital healthy, vital and strong.  Yes, there are outside pressures, and yes, it’s going to take hard work. But we are already well on our way, and we’ll continue to strengthen the operations and systems of this important community resource.
We are so grateful for the community’s support and ask you to stand with us to say “Yes!” to keeping our hospital and local healthcare the highest quality we deserve.
Nancy Schmid, Healdsburg District Hospital CEO
Pat Callahan, Executive Director, Northern Sonoma County Healthcare Foundation