Letter to the editor

There is a Marine term for what is happening with the Mendocino Coast Health Care District Board, but it is not suitable for a family newspaper. The Health Care District Board is charged with planning how to meet the 2030 seismic retrofit or new construction deadline, without which we will have no hospital on the Coast What I have observed over the last several meetings is horrifying. Several Board members behave like poorly raised children whose gender rivalry has devolved into an all-out boy-girl war. There appear to be no operating rules of order, Roberts or otherwise. The current Chair seems singularly unequipped for the task. The Brown Act is all but ignored. No minutes are being taken or published. Currently, there is no treasurer responsible for the District’s multi-million dollar finances. The substantive work of the Board has virtually ground to a halt.

Four of the five seats on the Health Care District Board are open in the June election. We have an opportunity to remake the Board and chart a course to maintain a hospital on the Coast. We need a committed group of people who: understand that quality health care is critical to the economic and social future of the Coast, have proven track records of fiscal responsibility, are computer literate, have good negotiating skills, and are team players. Filing opens on February 14 and closes on March 11. A committee of concerned citizens will be seeking qualified candidates to rebuild the Health Care District Board.

How to have your say: First and last name, signature, address and phone number must be provided for each person signing a letter. Names are not withheld for any reason. Letters may be up to 250words. All submissions are subject to editing. Form and chain letters will not be printed.