updated: Caldwell Flores Winters: advice on writing the ballot Part 3 "special Meeting"

Caldwell Flores and Winters, a bond consultant company, out of Oakland California, who was instrumental in the 2006 Kern Valley Healthcare district general obligation bond, Measure M. Though the bond missed by less than 100 votes, and the early surveys showed that it would be close, the plan the hospital, under former CEO, Pam Ott, had was not workable.

Here's the CFW link: http://cfwinc.com/

Ott eventually admitted to serious problems with the architectural plans and the hospital would not have been able to complete it's project.

But had it passed, and even though they couldn't do the project, the community would still have had to pay for the bond: you vote for it and you pay for it.

If you vote for a GOB for the hospital this year, don't forget you pay for it. You're paying money and I will go quickly into the elections aspect of the bond in another post.

The monies derived from a GOB are supposed to be protected, but like she did here in the valley telling us one thing and doing another, Ott, moved up to Sierra Kings District Hospital and was able to use the bond monies for things like payroll and other sundry items the bond was not voted in to be used for.

(I'll be following up with Ott in Fresno county to see if the DA will charge her for misuse of the public funds. How will the Fresno DA handle Ott's indescretion, better than they did here in Kern I hope.)

Sierra Kings went into bankruptcy shortly after Ott was charged with elder abuse, last September. She was then relieved of her position as CEO.

Here's the advice from CFW

Since the hospital wants to use the GOB to pay off a project that took place more than 20 years ago, and failed to be built to the plans. Half a skilled nursing facility is better than nothing? No, I"m afraid not.

Now, CFW, says they have surveyed this community and amazingly the community wants to pay more property taxes to the tune of more than 67% of the people contacted.

AMAZING! In 2006, with community members swarming around the hospital, meetings and volunteers, CFW's survey showed that less than 60% agreed to pay for a GOB.

The advice to the board at the time was to take their time to plan and gather volunteers prior to deciding whether or not to put Measure M on the ballot.

New advice at special meeting 5/17/10

I tried to get you the video last night, but things didn't quite go the way I wanted.

So, as I said, the representative from CFW had new advice for the board and administration, not to have to explain the debt history to the community, but rather say it's paying off a "lease."

I contacted KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, to ask whether he felt it was fair to put in couched language to avoid the truth. Is it par for the course. Haven't heard back, yet.

(As we know the ballot that has been written, does not contain the word taxes, debt relief or bail out. It is unfair and it shall be fought, the ballot itself.)

I also sent off a letter to Caldwell asking about the survey they did up here, and how I could get in touch with the "objective" company who did the survery.

The reason: several people contacted me asking why it sounded like old women doing the survey, like the Pink Ladies, one person suggested.

Again, I get no response which makes me wonder what are they covering?

The CFW rep explained to the KVHD board members people understand buying is better than leasing. And then an audience member asked him straightforwardly if he was lying. Is the term "lease accurate?"

No. But it sounds better than admitting to failure and asking the community for a bailout because nobody is able and willing to say the terrible word, "bankruptcy."

And that aside, a bargain, a reorganization, anything else. We will take up Parcel Tax, as it excludes seniors from seeing the raise in funds and only lasts a few years, and may only produce a couple million dollars, but a creative management team can always find a way.

Temporary technical problems

Blogger is being problematic about the videos, so we will attempt to get these videos onto Youtube. And continue to get some more videos on the blog.

YouTube "orderbipolardisorder" Look for Leaselying 1 and 2. More to follow...if the upload gods will allow it.

And if you can't find us that way, just plug in "Ask Bob Jamison," and that seems to be easily found...

The week before the board meeting has just begun. Next up interview with elections department on how to write the verbiage for a GOB. A look at the answers other rural hospitals are finding to stay strong during the economic crisis...But a more serious matter is at hand, I'll get to that the day of the board meeting....June 3, at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria.