LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Not so rosey
Editor: In 2005, after losing millions of dollars each year, the
Palm Drive Healthcare District borrowed $10,000,000 in bonds
against future taxes. Yet in 2007, less than two years later, the
district was overwhelmed with debt, had no cash in the bank, and
had to declare bankruptcy. Even when there was no money to make
payroll the following week, the president of the board insisted
that all was well. It was only by a series of miracles like the
recruitment of Dr. James Gude that Palm Drive was saved from
certain closure.
Recently, the district borrowed $12,000,000 in new bonds to pay
off creditors and rebuild capital reserves. This means that
$1,600,000 from parcel taxes are now needed every year to service
this debt, money that is no longer available to purchase equipment
or support programs.
Conditions have become increasingly difficult for Palm Drive.
The hospital has lost two more surgeons to Sutter, more patients
have lost medical insurance and there have been regular losses from
operations over the last six months. According to financial
reporting, the medical center lost more than $550,000 over the last
year. The hospital has not hired a permanent CEO or CFO in over a
year nor has it recruited a single family practice physician in
over a year. There is no strategic plan for the hospital and no
business plan for growing the medical center. Some board members
would now have you believe that Brim, the Tennessee-based
management company contracted for by the District 18 months ago is
“doing a great job.” We disagree.
Once again, it is time to save Palm Drive by voting with us for
Jim Maresca and Jared Dreyfus, the candidates who have pledged to
take action on these critical issues. We don’t want to repeat a sad
history.
Heidi and Bob Gillen
Sebastopol
Understanding reform
Editor: There is much confusion and inuendo regarding the Health
Care Reform that has just taken effect. Here are some facts, and
they are exciting.
You cannot be dropped from your insurance when you get sick,
there are no lifetime limits so your benefits cannot be stopped if
you have a catastrophic illness, young adults may stay on their
parents insurance until they are twenty six and most important, you
cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
People will also have better access to care as the new law
expands the national network of federally supported Community
Health Centers, providing us with more health care homes, better
quality and lower costs.
Most importantly we have the opportunity to get preventive care
which will keep many people out of the emergency room so everyone
wins and the costs go down.
Our local Health Centers (Russian River, Occidental, Sebastopol,
the Forestville Teen Clinic and Russian River dental and mental
health clinic’s) are ready for all these changes. We welcome you to
our compassionate, affordable and excellent care. We are dedicated
to wellness and to equal care for all members of our diverse
community.
Jennifer Nichols
Board member
West County Health Centers
Graton Sewer answers
Editor: The operators were not investigated by the Grand Jury;
it was the Graton Community Services District and our General
Manager who were investigated, and both of whom answered. In its
six year existence, this is the second time the Grand Jury has
“investigated” us; on no occasion have they found any reason to
bring charges. The most recent “investigation” entailed interviews
with the entire volunteer Board of Directors and others. We were
all told that there were two — count ‘em: two — complainants. From
the nature of the questions, it is apparent exactly who they were,
and one is not even a ratepayer, just an outside agitator with his
own political agenda.
Our General Manager, Robert Rawson, who was the focus of most of
the Grand Jury’s allegations is a treasure. He offers his brilliant
mind and extensive know-how to Graton at a reduced rate, and also
donates a lot of his time to us. We are extremely fortunate and
grateful to have him on our team!
The “cease and desist” order (CDO) issued by the North Coast
Regional Water Quality Control Board had absolutely nothing to do
with our redwood forest; it was issued because we were unable to
obtain enough affordable financing to build a tertiary treatment
plant within their desired timeframe.
The Graton CSD welcomed the CDO, because it qualified us (which
means we are on a list to obtain) some grants and low cost
financing. And once again we are telling readers: our upgrades will
not cost $7 million (even though in 1995 Ernie Carpenter, our
then-Supervisor and Sonoma County Water Agency Board member told us
it would cost $13 million). The total projected cost will be close
to $4,850,000; quite a bit of that will be covered by grants. The
$2.5 million floodworks project is being covered by FEMA.
Mr. Rawson’s rebuttal, as well as the much shorter
rebuttal/answer to the Grand Jury by the all-volunteer Board of the
Graton CSD can be found at our website: www.graton.org, under “GCSD.” It is
terrific reading for anyone who wants to know the sordid history of
Graton and “the little sewer plant that could.”
Jane Eagle
President, Board of Directors
Graton Community Services District