The disabled and the pubescent fight the fight...KVHD under fire...
In my mind I thought my job was to defend those who could not speak for themselves, those who are bullied, the under dog, but I found out on Dec. 2, 2010, a generation who can speak for themselves...
I had a long day in Bakersfield, knowing I would be coming from doctors and tests, around the time I would need to leave for the
KVHD December board meeting, so I stopped by to pick up a potential camera crew to film. My chosen
cameraperson, Abbie, shown at the bottom, as she did all the filming, had to bring along her friends for company and such, as we were about to bore them to tears...they thought.
Sky, 14, and Abbie 13, headed toward the hospital with a quick stop off for fast food, and we talked. We talked about the suicides as I reported last week, the kids have been telling me about chatter on Facebook and elsewhere about new suicides and even suicide pacts.
I was at a loss as to what exactly to say about it, more so, I let them talk about it and chimed in only when necessary.
How do you handle such things in the wake of tragedy like two suicides within a month, and an attempt shortly after? You don't, you just know that there are plenty of answers, and there is not the necessity to make this particular decision.
That's fine I can talk all I want, I'm still breathing. What happened to the kids? My idea is to refocus this energy into something productive, it is tough to be a teenager, and it is tough to find people who will listen. I saw something I didn't realize had happened at this meeting, with three great kids, at this hospital.
The CEO, Chet Beedle, should have been fired on the spot that night as he threw a tantrum that resonated with these children.
When we first arrived I handed my camera off to my camera girl, Abbie, who kept the pictures coming, and she showed some serious maturity in how she presented this meeting. (I'm not saying there wasn't shots of noses and ear hair, but they are 13 and everything they did that night exceeded my expectations. She did a great job. All three of them to say the least.)
There were some friendly faces as the girls took the camera around as they practiced with the gadget for a few minutes as the formal meeting was gathering. Even though there is definitely differences between myself and other audience members who attend and watch for the "clap now" sign, there were many who were very decent and friendly to the kids.
Not that these three could be out done by anyone in that room, but the way certain people handled this, is beyond my own ability to even see that low...I met Sky that night, as I know both Abbie and Destiny, and found a girl with an opinion and a lot of grit.
Sadly I have noticed certain board members becoming more and more paranoid, thinking something like this would be a "stunt" or far worse, " a set up."
As it makes me sick to say it, we have to deal with the letter that I received over the weekend in regard to that very idea. (the kids and their parents have addressed this)
Maybe that's how their minds work, which frightens me more and more each time I see some of them changing like, "Gollum," a "Lord of the Rings" character who lost his soul to the power of the ring.
Let me tell you that I followed, Rural Health Clinic Director, Greg Davis, PA, to the podium as he and his clinic were given kudos for something they did in regard to the recent suicide. I followed the back patting telling them a story which was akin to child abuse what I witnessed on Nov. 19, at the KVHD ER.
You are the problem: welcome to ground zero
Dr. Gregory Crawford and I go way back to November of 2006, when I asked for food as I had a sudden weight loss in a month, and thought I needed a boost of special "doctor" food or something. How wrong I was, as I was filled with some drugs and I blacked out. However, apparently they let me drive home.
Next was January of 2008, and here's a serious dilemma, I had a head injury and then came to the ER by ambulance due to symptoms of a stroke, left side. I was slurring and next thing I know Crawford is there asking for a drug test. Though I slurred my way through it I gave him one. But it was Dr. Pormir, who intervened on my behalf, thank God, as I was scared to death, and the stress of Crawford along with the symptoms were too much.
Only a few weeks ago I saw the contrast between a seamless day shift of all the best KVHD has to offer. They did great. I had no problems. Then as it seems the shift and wind changed and Crawford was there. The night was bad for me, but what he did to the youngish girl, was child abuse.
This kid was screamed at being accused of being on drugs due to here accelerated heart rate. She had drank a "Monster" caffeine drink she kept telling him. He told her "you're on Meth, tell me now I'll know you're lying after the drug test." I couldn't move listening to this, Crawford was relentless with this kid. But he had yelled at me too, and I was sick, and dammit, I'm angry I didn't get up and toss him into the dumpster.
I'm not the only one who has complained, I have each time and look we just keep him going in the ER with promises, the only fuel currently running KVHD at this time.
How could you even think it
Was it because the kids were with the likes of me that they were treated a certain way by certain people?
Well, you take it from here and tell me what you think...Here's a portion of the transcript. I will have a few comments or asides for those new to the blog.
Chet Beedle, you went way too far this time, and Chuck White, to have seen you trying to shut down the kids who only told you what they were seeing, and you gave them no respect, and apparently, were glaring at them. I'm calling you out on this crap. NO WAY!
There is no way to express how much I appreciate the kindness of those not so jaded as to question a 14 year-olds motives after she tells the audience about how she perceived what happened at this high school.
My camera girl, wonderful Abbie, did not photograph both Sky and I crying after she gave a heartfelt talk to the audience. Can you imagine how much strength that took to stand up in front of people you don't know, but are supposed to respect and those now reaching out to the suicidal, who did nothing. Joan Amos offered a tissue.
But Abbie somehow knew that what happened with Sky and I was a private moment, not to be shown as some spectacle. Trust me, any television station would have shown only that particular clip for hours until we were desensitized. Abbie showed discretion. Awesome.
Those who watch the videos and the new people being sent these videos will see what is really KVHD.
Who is helping who?
After I spoke and then Sky told her story, another friend of Abbie's was dropped off to join us, Destiny.
Destiny's mother is very ill, and she and her family know very well what it is like to deal with this hospital. She is no stranger and had a right to be there at the meeting as much as anyone else.
She whispered questions to me throughout the meeting asking who was who and who did what, but all of us were shocked as the meeting turned cold, and the sycophants wanted their anger to be heard: even in the presence of these kids.
They heard it, and I'm proud and their parents are proud, but most importantly they are proud of themselves, as they didn't take what they saw lightly.
Bullying
It's been openly a alley way or a boxing ring for years now, but for the night, the presence of the children needed to be both understood, and accepted. The video clearly shows an angry Chet Beedle arguing with a child.
I didn't see it until I watched the video, and I'm pretty much going to tell you, I demand the resignation of Chet beedle.
The kids came to the defense of an audience and board member...
It didn't take long before "Debbie" who pulls around an oxygen tank and has attended meetings intermittently this year, spoke up, as she took to the podium too. She gave the board the history of her dealings with them, being hung up on by Chet Beedle, and dismissed by Miss Heidi Sage.
She had asked the board and the administrators for information, and they always have promised it, or ignored it, but never have supplied it. Debbie did not give up during the whole event she was there, extra oxygen tank, for the whole night demanding transparency and decency.
But...that wasn't going to happen without a fight.
It wasn't exactly even, two old disabled broads, three kids, a board member, and a former CEO, against the administration, board, a lawyer, a reporter, and a audience of implanted chips.
So what happened? Well, those kids, are proud and should be proud as they spoke up under the most aggressive, hostile atmosphere a child could find themselves in...why? Because some of those people I addressed are bullies and children and suicide didn't make any difference to them other than to deflect their current inability to DO something to solve their on going problems which lead directly to CAL MTG.
Chet Beedle and Debbie: "you hung up on me."
Debbie gave her version of the stories of her quest for an answer to the financials which would fall under Mr. Beedle's role as manager. She explained to us all she tried to call and was told he didn't "have to tell her anything," and hung up on her.
Nothing happened, not one person questioned that a community member literally had to fight for what is now explained, as she and CEO, Tim Mcglew found the error, or misplacement of certain figures.
Five months later, Debbie has submitted an explanation. But Mr. Beedle had to have his moment of being a VICTIM.
"I'm perfectly happy and willing to explain to everyone who would like to hear an explanation that comes across in a positive way."
He went on to say, that he was "verbally abused" by Debbie asking questions of him not molded in a positive fashion such as what he was about to say to a child. And I know if this child had been with anyone else he would not have dared attack that young adult.
Before I continue I'd like to ask Mr. Beedle exactly how tough it is to answer a simple question and take a phone call, because I watch the employees at that pharmacy get torn apart every day as Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy has been made the ugly stepsister of the hospital, blamed for financial issues it is not even connected to, short of product and staff.
Chet you take the counter at the pharmacy for a day, how about that? No, you step down and then take the job if you're even qualified to be a pharmacy tech who has to deal with customers who NEED their medicine, today, not tomorrow or whenever you get around to paying for our medicine. Try that out. Would you fire them if they hung up on all their customers who complain?
Of course you would. I should say a good businessperson would.
How about a customer service job Chet, have you ever tried having to deal with the public all day long on the phone? You wouldn't last a minute if you had a rule that "everyone had to treat you with kit gloves."
I've worked it, stealing a line from Victoria Alwin's 2008 campaign, and I don't see any rationale for what you did and the audience that attended should be checked for Beedle mania, as they didn't question "poor Chet."
Yeah, that's what I wanted the kids to learn.
But as much as I could not even hear this nonsense from the man himself who began showing up unannounced at Kathryn Knights place of business during our effort to meet Cal Mtg. more than a year and a half ago, I didn't see it until I watched the video
.
One phone call, please. Kathryn Knight has taken more criticism, actual hostility, attempts to defame and unseat, a recent "verbal attack" after a meeting, and you can't handle one phone call? And some of that audience applauded?
From the mouths of babes...
Sky, an Arkansas native, with a southern accent which only added to her compassionate and inquisitive nature. This is what she told Chet Beedle:
"You had a little outburst there...in school, our parents and teachers, we learn how to self contain us, some control. And what you did was just rude. I'm sorry, but I was standing up there (at the podium) thinking about how you all-we admire you, you all influence us...and that was just rude. I understand she's little rash right now, but she's upset, she's been hung up on, more than once and that was rude. And I'm just trying to state my opinion right there. I'm not trying to be rude-I'm calm-I would like you to tell me that wasn't rude and for me to look up to you?
Beedle then tells this kid, fourteen year old, who knew what he said was nothing but a ruse, that he couldn't handle one phone call. So this victim took it out on Sky and said to her remark about looking up to him: "It doesn't need to happen."
I didn't see this until I reviewed the video, but then Sky shot back: "Oh, trust me, it's not."
The chairwoman didn't act. The board didn't say a word, as Gross had been called to the carpet by our oxygen toting, blog following, play it forward participant, Debbie, for his behavior with Mrs. Knight at the last meeting.
Gross, as is the KVHD way, would not admit to shouting or being offensive at the last meeting with Knight. He and the others always keep forgetting about the video camera. That doesn't lie. It doesn't have an agenda, and it watches and hears it all.
Now the kids were in it with the rest of us...
Bob Knight, former CEO, and board member, asked McGlew why Chet, who wrote plans for BRIM, couldn't run their strategic, late in the game to call it planning, more like waiting for the umpire to call a strike before swinging the bat, meeting.
Beedle was in no mood to hear what Knight and I both repeated, which was, "what exactly do we pay you for?" Knight told him, they did a good job getting a plan of action, but forgot the actual action part of the plan of action, and could only offer retraction. (hmm, that sentence actually worked)
It's true, McGlew has read them, there are ample documents and studies, the bottom line is that we, meaning KVHD and the whole valley, are at the bottom of the healthcare food chain.
The community spoke and nothing happened...over and over and over. One bond after another. Payment after payment to different companies.
But this new alliance with a strategic planning company came as a surprise to Kay Knight, who said, she thought there would be presentations at least, and that her paperwork on the selections for a facilitator for strategic planning, were only given to her three minutes before the meeting.
"What is so specific to strategic planning that we can't do it ourselves, and I'm sorry Chet, but its on your resume that you are specifically trained in Hospital strategic planning?"
Tim came to Chet's aide admitting he is trained to do this but wants a "real" company that specializes in that.
As they struggled with the vote on this company, consultant, the adminstrators say we need to "pay" to get "real advice" was partly covered by grant money, thereby justifying this certain company.
Knight asked what happened to HFS, the company hired for $75K recently in lieu of the default with debt insurer Cal Mtg.
McGlew explained there were "holes in the HFS report" and he didn't feel "comfortable" considering them for the strategic planning role. Though he said at first they were disqualified as they focused too much on competititve strategies which would not suit a one horse town.
Then give us our money back
If HFS had holes in their report, then we should put holes in their payment. I'm also asking this board, to put their money back where they got it from: if the product doesn't work you return it. Why not get some of that money back...or were they exaggerating the mediocrity of the financial report? I don't know, but I will send HFS this video and maybe they can answer a few questions.
We paid them $75K for what?
HFS got away with $75,000 and we are dissatisfied and cannot use the contents of the report to help correct problems, yet we do nothing...again?
As the board began a vote, Bob Knight again intervened to remind them they had not spoken to the costs, but were going to take a tally anyway.
Then Kay Knight asked again about an issue she had raised several times in the last few months and that is an attorney.
I'm the tie breaker...Alwin explained
It was Victoria Alwin's night, as a teacher, she had some young students on hand who were seeing things maybe she had not considered.
Alwin, was on the spot, as we only want to know why the board is reluctant to even speak to an attorney specializing in negotiation/bankruptcy on our old hole in the front tire, Cal Mtg.
Kay Knight got some back up from those unlikely, young minds, who couldn't possibly understand or could they?
"I am almost getting tired about talking about this, but, David Weinstein, said he would come and discuss what he would be able to do for us with Cal Mtg. and he would and I think he even offered free of charge, to come to discuss what he could do and would do for us and nobody wants to even listen. I think before we start to freeze salaries we need to have that other option at least to look at it. I would love to, I would just love to have him come and talk to everyone who wants to join us."
Knight pretty much lit up the meeting at that point, as this is as taboo a subject as there could be for KVHD, hanging by a financial thread for 22 years and then falling behind in every way. (Except administrative salaries where they remain way above average)
You could hear comments coming from all corners, mine for sure, and I don't know who all got into it, but the community was a mass of questions, answers, yelling, because this has been held off for so long...the big question of speaking to an attorney about negotiating with big bad Cal Mtg.
It's called pro bono, not Sonny Bono, KV Sun.
Very sharply, Susan Barr, asked Knight about this attorney, but she explained she hadn't ever heard of an attorney not taking money. Hey we know its easy to take shots at attorneys, but I witnessed this board, this CEO and CFO, hire Fullbright and Jaworski and dress them up and introduce them as a "bankruptcy" expert.
Both very red, McGlew and Beedle, looked away when the attorney told them their grand introduction was incorrect, as she said, "I don't know anything about bankruptcy." Ouch.
Why should this attorney be expected to be free, yet we hired on a bond company, and now strategic planning, but consultation of this one attorney is not allowed? It sounded nuts to all of us, even with a basic understanding that our hospital doesn't want to rock the boat as February, special election time, is only a few months away.
We could not understand completely why they would object to something that could be if you even considered it, a potential solution to the financial problems. I do suspect their reasons, but that's for later as we take our situation at this hospital, parce out the Beedles and their nest eggs, but keep the good shuff.
While the press on hand imitated a question to the board regarding the attorney in question, I asked her if she would like the actual email, then she would have her answer.
Apparently I triggered a reason for a reporter stand off as the whippet from the Sun got up to my face, yelling strange things: a quasi meltdown in the cafeteria I think it was. The night was young though, in every way...
I must say and give credit to both Tim McGlew and Victoria Alwin for behaving in a manner that at least hid our hostilies and differences while the kids looked on. At times Alwin even helped them understand certain issues which hampered the boards ability to somehow just consult with this attorney. Thank you both.
Even at our most divisive, I'll give McGlew credit, that he has never to my knowledge pulled anything like what Beedle displayed that night.
Dr. Gross, is another story, as his sudden revision from last month of the video I have of him yelling at Kay Knight, to "I didn't think I was shouting."
When did you start having these blackouts doctor?
First, it's Beedle who says he never said things that seem to oddly show up on these videos, now Dr. Gross has joined the "I didn't do it" club.
Well, as "Debbie" demonstrated, your demeanor last month, as she is a "play it forward" watcher waiting for this video, but it needs to be copied and mailed first, then the rest may have it.
"I would like to know the boards reluctance you need to look into this and found out what she's saying. You yelled at her Dr. Gross about that last month."
Gross responded quickly, "no I didn't."
Debbie kept at him trying to get a straight answer, but he wouldn't believe her or Mrs. Knight. Or me.
"Well, you yelled at her and said, if you talk to the attorney and finally find out you're not going to have it done will you drop it," she imitated Gross' mannerism.
"Actually, I said then and I repeat again, if the board would like me to meet with the attorney that she spoke to I'll be happy to do that."
"Well that's not what you said before," Debbie finished.
Now it was Alwin and the kids: the best for last
"I understand what you all are saying-just how long have you all been discussing this attorney dude?" the underestimated teenager asked the board.
Kay Knight replied, "April 24th."
"And it still hasn't been passed?" the teenager asked with surprise.
Then she offered her wisdom. "If you all want it over so bad, are we all on board with this idea? Does anybody object to it?"
"That's what we're going to discuss," Alwin said with a measured tone.
Sky continued her train of thought, "because probably by the end of the meeting it could be just all over with. If you just agree to it-April to December is a long time," she commented.
Someone, not me, I seconded the opinion though, yelled out, "that's called foot dragging," as Dr. Gross said he would admit the board is guilty of.
Sky persisted as Alwin explained they were discussing it. "By the end of the meeting?" or are you going to continue or postpone it?"
Knight, who Sky called her "hero" during the meeting, made a motion to see the attorney. Though scant time was spent spending a few thousand, talking to an affable attorney, who comes highly recommended, was not going to happen...my feeling is that these kids were the ones who pushed this information gathering to the brink as the board split.
As the power struggle continued, Reverend White asked the board counsel, Scott Nave, why they could even talk about this, as he couldn't find it on the agenda.
Nave told White that it was a general enough subject, finding and discussing financial solutions, that they could do this and even take action. A disappointed White, who has been involved with both Measure M from 2006 and Measure G, the recent bond failure, can shut down his KRVR to people who don't agree with him: but not a board meeting with children.
Can I ask a question a small voice raised from the audience, as Alwin, addressed our camera girl. She had said she had observed that those who "agreed" with the board were given "extra" time and those who did not, she used me as the example, got cut off.
They sat silent...then the vote
Alwin sat looking unhappy with her position as a 'tie breaker" as the boys from Brazil, Jamison and finally leaving the board after 20 years of fun and fraud, Brad Armstrong, voted against Knights motion to consult the attorney.
Gross, who was initially resistant, put in the second on the vote.
"I was hoping to avoid this," Alwin looked concerned but Armstrong consoled her, "I didn't like it either."
Sky, an obviously bright and healthy girl, kept on Alwin. "Are you really going to oppose that idea?"
Alwin answered, "right now the answer to your question "lies" in how I vote."
Knight told Sky, "she's the tie breaker."
"I'm the tie-breaker, I'm unable to vote right now," Alwin explained.
Abbie and Sky with their friend, Destiny looking on, said, "Okay, we're waiting..."
Again the kids with complete inhibition asked the chairwoman why only four voted and the teacher, dietician, chairwoman, answered. "I kind of want to know why nobody else voted only four people." Abbie politely asked.
I must say Alwin had patience and was good with the kids, she didn't let them down either.
"Two voted no and two voted yes and I'm the one who gets to say yes or no..." Alwin hesitated, the kids hanging on her words, "and I say...YES!"
"Thank you" Abbie and the kids shouted to her.
Boy, it was a night, and I haven't even talked about all of it, as I am still very concerned that there are no repurcussions for the administrators or the board, it's always ignoring the problems and letting them simmer on low until it carmelizes.
This cannot be let go and I think the parents of these children, who were simply showing us all what it is to be open minded, intuitive and American. I was so proud of these kids, and what they gave me is what I promised this community and that is "HOPE."
These kids who felt the simple sense of some control in their lives, were inspired. Sky had told Knight she was her hero, but here is what she said: "you inspire me. You make me want to listen...and that's hard to do." Knight was taken aback by the compliment as she has seen her days in the trenches, unlike others such as Armstrong, who voted with Cal Mtg. but never against them as Knight has done.
Sky pictured to the left and Debbie above, took much convincing to find out the answers, but in the end, the kids pushed the board, dragging feet and all into a new day: one where ALL options are assessed, and even with the anger, and angry voices, hanging in the air from the turbulent meeting, they left planning their next conquest.
It was a learning experience for all of us, if we choose it of course. I'm so proud and the parents are so amazed that their kids could do this as sometimes it takes a kid to tell an adult how to behave and how to open your mind.
Yes, we are the walking example. Those who are still talking, rarely do much more.
Thank you three, and thank you Debbie and those who can think for themselves and out of the box. I am excited about the future, not just here, but wherever these precocious kids are they will make a difference.
Now, though, I repeat, I demand some renunciation for Beedle's nasty, narcissistic rant, which he turned on a thoughtful teenager. In fact, his job, as he cannot handle simple tasks such as phone calls, and hands out a resume full of things he supposedly can do, but...just doesn't?
I hope the kids get another chance to speak with Mr. Beedle and the parents have their opportunity to back up their kids as they just learned something of a dark nature about adults.
Never did Beedle, the board, anyone, offer this child an apology. AS they asked, "can you explain that to me?"
This will not be let go...count on it KVHD. You went too far this time and I better not see anything negative about these kids in the local paper either. They reported to me that they were questioned by the Sun newspaper as to their names. They felt uncomfortable with Miss Barr and asked her, "why are you asking our names, are you going to slander us in the newspaper?"
It wouldn't be wise...
Part two: the letter we received over the weekend. How the kids responded to a crass, demeaning email, designed to hurt feelings, not solutions or even criticism. Again, the kids came through passing the test with flying colors.
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. -Thomas Aquinas
Abbie, left, Sky, right, telling me they were nervous as they entered hospital territory, early that evening...apparently they were more than ready to take on the hypocrisy...and I'll be by their side when they do it again. FIRE CHET BEEDLE!
