With two seats available, voters must decide which two candidates may be able to handle the current financial situation and possibly have the courage to fight the good fight with creditor Cal Mtg.
Here are some quotes from the candidates at the "Town Hall Meeting" held at the Senior center in Lake Isabella on Oct. 18, 2010
Saul McGarity"I believe it is the board's responsibility to make sure this hospital survives-to look for alternative solutions to make sure it survives. This board has given raises this past year and I hear we are short staffed-that's diminishing healthcare to the constituents of this valley-there's no reason we should be short staffed. If we can afford raises then we can afford to put more staff-that's where it (the money) should be going."
Kathryn Knight
"The healthcare district will survive if the board unites together to make it work and I think negotiations are our only answer at this point if the bond does not pass. I know for a fact that the negotiating process is lucrative, it is viable, it is doable, it is workable-I know that for a fact."
David Derr
"Of course the hospital will survive, but it won't survive in its present state. And its present state is distressed. Okay? Once again I would like to see the hospital thrive. I would like to be able to see them go to work each day without having to the fear of that debt looming over everyone who works there. Okay, everyone. I'd like to see that gone. I'd like to see this bond pass. The hospital will survive, but it won't be what it is now."
Tom Bostick"I do agree the hospital won't close if the measure doesn't pass. But on the other hand things will start closing-I don't think that the revenue we have coming in is enough to sustain all the areas that we have right now. I think people will lose their jobs-its just that I think the revenue is just not there to keep the hospital open the way it is now and I think we have to look at that as well when we're voting on it."
John Blythe
"In 2006 when the board put Measure M on the ballot, there was a lot of talk the hospital would close-sure enough Measure M didn't pass and the hospital didn't close. So, I think the hospital can survive even if this bond does not pass, but I think the first step is to, again I think the first solution that needs to be done is trying to negotiate with Cal Mtg. to reduce that debt. I think that is the first thing we should try to do as our alternative plan and move forward from there."
