Neighborly spirit
EDITOR: Thanks to our generous community, we raised nearly $7,000 for folks whose lives were charred by recent firestorms. Using our collective power to make a positive difference, KOWS Community Radio, Solar Works and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church co-sponsored a rollicking benefit concert starring Teresa Tudury, Roy Zimmerman, Lauren Mayer, Sandy and Richard Riccardi and Clowns on a Stick.
Much appreciation to a full house of concert goers and volunteers. And many thanks to Community Market, King Falafel, Laguna Farm, Pacific Market, Sprint Copy Center, Coffee Catz and Wildflour Bakery for abundant donations. Let’s keep our neighborly spirit and shop locally.
Laura Goldman
Sebastopol
More debt for taxpayers?
EDITOR: If you are a property owner in west Sonoma County, you may want to attend a meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, where the Palm Drive Health Care District Board will vote on whether to take over debt-ridden Sonoma West Medical Center, the hospital in Sebastopol.
Such a takeover would make property owners living in the district responsible for paying any future hospital losses. This would happen by extending the number of years people would pay the hospital’s current $155 a year parcel tax, without any vote by the people affected.
The medical center has been losing money every month since it opened 22 months ago. It now owes about $5.9 million to suppliers, while the district, which is still in bankruptcy, owes $22 million in bonds and about $9 million to vendors and employees who are due money through the bankruptcy.
Hospital officials believe parcel taxes will not be affected. They say that medical center numbers will quickly improve due to a partnership with Durall Holdings, which they say is bringing increased numbers of toxicology tests and other benefits to the hospital.
The board will take comments from the public before it votes. If you want your voice to be heard, please attend the special board meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the conference room at Sonoma West Medical Center. The address is 501 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol. For more information go to the district’s website, palmdrivehealthcaredistrict.org.
Sukey Robb-Wilder
Villa Grande
