New hospital CEO
to ink contract
Carl Gerlach, the newly hired chief executive officer of the Sonoma Valley Hospital, is expected to sign a contract that will determine his annual salary at a Feb. 21 meeting of the hospital board. Time and location hadn’t been determined at press time.
“Discussion for his compensation will be on the agenda. That’s what we’re anticipating,” said hospital spokesman Scott Gregerson.
Gerlach will earn less than the $240,000 paid annually to CEO Robert Kowal, hospital board president Dick Kirk said at a Feb. 6 board meeting at which Kowal signed a separation agreement with the hospital.
Gerlach, of the Oakland-based HFS Consultants, worked as a consultant analyzing different options for a new hospital for the Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition, which receives its funding from the hospital.
Hotel guests
boosting city budget
For the third year in a row, guests staying at Sonoma’s hotels pumped more cash into the city’s general-fund budget than any other single source.
Sonoma charges a 10 percent transient occupancy tax on guests staying at the city’s hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns.
This year, this transient occupancy tax is expected to generate $2.4 million, followed by $2.2 million in property tax revenue and $1.6 million in sales tax revenue.
City treasurer Carol Giovannatto called transient occupancy tax “the city’s top revenue generator.”
Transient occupancy tax generated $2.3 million in the 2005-06 fiscal year and $2.1 million in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
Assemblyman
coming to council
Jared Huffman, the Democratic State Assemblyman who represents the Sonoma Valley, is coming to introduce himself at the Sonoma City Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Film fest picks
Oscar nominees
The 10th Sonoma Valley Film Festival has announced its first official film selection, “After the Wedding,” which will play April 12 as the official opening night film for the 2007 Festival. This acclaimed new Danish film has just been nominated for a 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.
A second offering confirmed for festival, the short film “Recycled Life,” has also been tapped for an Oscar.
“This year’s selection of films is quickly shaping up to be our most exciting program in our ten year history,” said SVFF executive director Marc Lhormer.
Auction grosses $225,000 for
Boys and Girls Club
The 22nd annual Sweetheart Gala and Auction held Saturday Feb. 10 at the Boys & Girls Club Valley of the Moon grossed $225,000.
President-elect Deborah Emery introduced this year’s sweethearts of the auction were Steve & Holly Kyle who were recognized for their “tireless commitment, generosity and kindness to the club,” said a statement from the Boys and Girls Club.
“Steve and Holly helped build the club to what it is today. They have graciously contributed time, passion and resources to the club for over 10 years” the statement said.
