Letters to the Editor

$200 million, but who’s counting?

Editor: The latest construction cost estimate for Sonoma’s proposed “medical campus” is a staggering $200 million, minimum. Who on the hospital board is qualified to oversee such a project?
The current hospital continues floundering. A suggestion was made at the recent Strategic Planning Committee meeting that perhaps hospital CEO Carl Gerlach needs some help: Turning around the dismal financials of the present facility while at the same time planning a new facility is a lot for one person to manage.
I agree. Until skilled governance is demonstrated by the hospital board, taxpayers should not approve any request for funding for a new facility.
Doug Achterberg
Sonoma

A scenario for success

Editor: Recent reporting from the Board’s December 11 informational meeting indicates that the organized opposition that CEO Carl Gerlach said would doom any hospital bond has now formed. Meanwhile, according to Gerlach, the State of California seems more willing to give our hospital an extension until 2020 or 2030. I urge Mr. Gerlach to urgently follow through on his promise to seek the maximum assistance from the state to extend the life of our existing hospital. Board member Riebli stated that $30 million would update the hospital until 2030 at the October 10 board meeting. A survey being conducted last week (by the Board?) indicated a general obligation bond in the amount of $140 million. The Board should know a bond of this size, will never pass whether it is in staged amounts or not.
One possible avenue for success could be the following.
1. Assure neighbors that no hospital will be built at Carinelli.
2. Buy the Carinelli site to use as a parking lot, hospital staging area and housing for doctors and nurses along with appropriate landscaping/small park, which are in step with current zoning and CC&Rs and update existing hospital. Cost- up to $40 million.
One of the hospital’s largest challenges and cost items is for retaining doctors and also visiting nurses to get them to practice in this expensive town. In 2006 4 doctors were subsidized at a cost of $1 million. Building a row of nice little townhomes or houses on the Carinelli site allows the district to attract new doctors and nurses with an asset we retain as opposed to just giving away cash as we have in the past. Young doctors coming out of school with $300,000 in student loans to pay off are looking to build a practice for the long term and providing them attractive free housing as long as they practice here not only frees up hospital cash and maintains an appreciating asset for the hospital it frees doctors to more quickly pay there student loans off and gives high quality candidates a welcome alternative to joining Kaiser. A new stable of high quality young doctors will give the community more confidence in the quality of care provided and going forward with future hospital improvements.
Dennis Hipps
Sonoma

Neighbors worried about sales price

Note: The following letter was copied to the Sonoma Valley Sun

Dear Carl & Hospital Board

I am writing regarding the ludicrous plan to the Hospital Board to build the new hospital, or as they are now calling it a “Hospital Campus”. It would dominate our quiet single-story residential neighborhood. I live on W. Mac Arthur Street, and was horrified with the surprise announcement made early in October, when all arrows were pointing to the Broadway site. No change of Zoning, Traffic, or EIR reports, and more importantly, no consultations with neighbors have been carried out. This site was voted down twice, I guess the Board just needs or hear it a third time.
I love this neighborhood because it is quiet, and safe. The building of a Hospital Campus would obliterate that enjoyment and safety. I moved from the City ten years ago to escape noisy neighbors and stress. I endure an excruciating commute on 101 S to Marin each day. The trade off is coming home to a quiet, safe corner of Sonoma, If this project went ahead, this peace would be shattered, and render the front of my home unusable.
Recent family circumstances have resulted in the decision to sell my property, and move to Europe to assist my aging parents. The Real Estate market is already tough, therefore the added prospect of a public building blighting the land and the views across the street is scaring buyers away. If I can sell my home, I want the next family to have the same pleasant neighborhood experience I have enjoyed.
When will I be able to sell my home? How long will I be held hostage by this debacle? I cannot afford to lose value in my home, which is exactly what will happen if you continue on this ill-fated path. I have worked hard, and I am not going to let you bully and force me into this situation. What is the Hospital Board going to do to compensate me for all these things?
Stop using scare tactics stating that if you are unable to build on this site, the Hospital will close. The fact is that you already do not have a viable business, and have been bleeding money for some time. There is no guarantee that this new facility would be profitable, and we could end up losing our Hospital anyway. There are other sites available, and the public have voted for them. When are you going to get a reality check and realize that Sonoma does not want the Hospital in this neighborhood.
To sum up: The Board wants to devalue our properties, ruin our neighborhood, and tax us to the max to pay for it. We have worked too hard, to let them take our quiet and safe Sonoma away from us.
Brona O’Brien
Sonoma

Immaculate conception
Editor: Just want to bring to your attention the fact that the doctrine of the Catholic Church known as the Immaculate Conception refers to the state of Mary at her birth. She was, doctrine claims, born free of “Original Sin.” The doctrine has nothing to do with her later pregnancy.
It is unfortunate, I think, that there is such a broad misunderstanding of this.
just joan
Sonoma