Persistance and Tenacity, requires a new chapter, a new beginning....
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dr. Nadler of the Rural Health Clinic: Your patient is ill because she is being beaten up, do you have no training?
I got a phone call over the weekend from a woman I hardly know, and may have talked to five times in five years. Why she called me I'm still not sure, but people trust me, and she needed to talk to someone.
Though I had showered and prepped to get to the store I decided to answer the phone, but quickly.
This was not a short call, and in the end, I made a decision to act on the information.
The reason I'm shooting this story from the blog is that it is another example of the nightmare here in the KRV, called the Rural Health Clinic.
She really likes Dr. Nadler
When she told me her wounds, her broken limb, was from an altercation with her boyfriend, I asked her who her doctor was and she told me, my former doctor Nadler.
I said he didn't know that these wounds were from abuse?
She said, "no, I didn't tell him."
Regardless if she told him, he should have had some training. Most battered women lie to everyone because they are afraid and have no where to go.
She is a completely textbook case. Being beaten with nowhere to go.
Apparently, she likes Dr. Nadler, but not enough to trust him with this information. But he should know better.
In less than five minutes on the phone it was obvious she has been through a lot of violence, and is nervous admitting to the reality of it, so she lies. Victims lie a lot, out of fear.
Tonight I spoke with my stepfather who has lymphoma and is battling cancer. He told me as a man that in his life he has encountered many doctors who still think women's illnesses are in "their minds." I explained I had recently dumped Dr. Nadler because of that same complaint, not necessarily misogyny, but lack of respect, a real Freudian model, of women's health.
Example, when I first saw him in 2007, I complained of Insomnia, palsy of the hands, hair loss, shortness of breath, and weight loss. I was prescribed Prozac. He explained my "personality" which obviously bothered him, away with drugs.
Now, I see clearly from the case of this beaten and broken female patient, that he ignored her obvious problem, being accident prone. Gosh, that would be nice.
If a man saw him regularly with bruising, breaks, and other things, he might have wondered. But apparently he can let overt abuse come in and out of the office for years!
Again, there's no bond money for people who treat patients like this. The boy's club at this hospital. Just for my information is this perception everywhere in medicine still?
It must be as they only started talking breast cancer, ovarian cancer, different heart attack symptoms, regarding women in the past few years.
I just didn't see it clearly until this phone call. Yes, I experienced it, as Dr. Nadler could not handle any emotion, especially mine. So, I got referred a few times so he didn't have to hear it.
And now I will be meeting with Greg Davis the manager of this clinic on Friday to discuss my care and how that will be corrected so my health is better and not worse. Dr. Nadler, as is expected, chooses not to address this situation and will be hiding in the other room while we discuss his malpractice.
I'll give a full report as I'm quite concerned what is going to happen to this woman. More later in the week...(RHC Product Review...no stars)
Though I had showered and prepped to get to the store I decided to answer the phone, but quickly.
This was not a short call, and in the end, I made a decision to act on the information.
The reason I'm shooting this story from the blog is that it is another example of the nightmare here in the KRV, called the Rural Health Clinic.
She really likes Dr. Nadler
When she told me her wounds, her broken limb, was from an altercation with her boyfriend, I asked her who her doctor was and she told me, my former doctor Nadler.
I said he didn't know that these wounds were from abuse?
She said, "no, I didn't tell him."
Regardless if she told him, he should have had some training. Most battered women lie to everyone because they are afraid and have no where to go.
She is a completely textbook case. Being beaten with nowhere to go.
Apparently, she likes Dr. Nadler, but not enough to trust him with this information. But he should know better.
In less than five minutes on the phone it was obvious she has been through a lot of violence, and is nervous admitting to the reality of it, so she lies. Victims lie a lot, out of fear.
Tonight I spoke with my stepfather who has lymphoma and is battling cancer. He told me as a man that in his life he has encountered many doctors who still think women's illnesses are in "their minds." I explained I had recently dumped Dr. Nadler because of that same complaint, not necessarily misogyny, but lack of respect, a real Freudian model, of women's health.
Example, when I first saw him in 2007, I complained of Insomnia, palsy of the hands, hair loss, shortness of breath, and weight loss. I was prescribed Prozac. He explained my "personality" which obviously bothered him, away with drugs.
Now, I see clearly from the case of this beaten and broken female patient, that he ignored her obvious problem, being accident prone. Gosh, that would be nice.
If a man saw him regularly with bruising, breaks, and other things, he might have wondered. But apparently he can let overt abuse come in and out of the office for years!
Again, there's no bond money for people who treat patients like this. The boy's club at this hospital. Just for my information is this perception everywhere in medicine still?
It must be as they only started talking breast cancer, ovarian cancer, different heart attack symptoms, regarding women in the past few years.
I just didn't see it clearly until this phone call. Yes, I experienced it, as Dr. Nadler could not handle any emotion, especially mine. So, I got referred a few times so he didn't have to hear it.
And now I will be meeting with Greg Davis the manager of this clinic on Friday to discuss my care and how that will be corrected so my health is better and not worse. Dr. Nadler, as is expected, chooses not to address this situation and will be hiding in the other room while we discuss his malpractice.
I'll give a full report as I'm quite concerned what is going to happen to this woman. More later in the week...(RHC Product Review...no stars)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A month of the bumps at KVHD
After the CCO quit smoking, she lit up the P&P
There have been a lot of rumor and innuendo thrown about recently, and I'm not talking about my standard "highly theoretical suppositions" such as the one about the less than open, board meeting with two board members.
I retracted the opinion that a highly suspicious meeting was held without the knowledge and or invitation to the other board members making it an actual meeting, special, urgent, or otherwise.
However, it's true the Brown Act, which lists the laws by which a public board must conduct itself, is rarely, if ever, supported by the Grand Jury, or county prosecutors.
Tricky stuff when two board members start talking about a general obligation bond which may be voted upon at sometime in the near future.
But we have put that behind us, and hope that the rest of the communications remain out in the open for the public to digest as they are just learning thru my survey phone calls what KVHD is: your hospital in a public district where board members are voted in.
And what a GOB is: a general obligation bond spread out over thirty years where homeowners would pay off this debt with property taxes limited to such amounts like $100 for every 100K of assessed value.
Levy a tax: because the hospital is public, in a public district, built with public monies, partially funded by community property tax dollars, the hospital could raise money it needs* by raising this tax for a few short years rather than 30 or maybe 60 or even 90...
sound crazy? What if they need another bond. If we are comparing ourselves to other hospitals and districts like Tehachapi, then you see that one bond may not be enough. And they will come crying back to us because they have not taken care of the money they have.
But they start by taking the first GOB, and then if they can successfully build something or create services that fit this community and are not the type which will create lawsuits, then they may have saved the day.
If for some reason, anything, and I mean anything happens and that money the community is paying up is misspent or not built or not as it was described in the brochure: this place will go down. So, I would think they would want this process to be precise and open, backed by leaders like Assemblywoman, Jean Fuller, and overseen and scrutinized by county supervisor, Jon Mcquiston, who represents our district.
When will we see either of these two or Kevin McCarthy, still scrapping away about federal healthcare reform, but not here where we are the people who vote for him.
This whole process should have started last year as I kept crowing there were serious financial problems and we needed to get on it. Nobody did anything. And the CFO lied on tape on camera that everything was fine, we were putting away all our money we owe, nothing unusual.
Then "BOOM" we're in trouble, help us, we need volume, we sold our mammography, we can't afford to run the district properly. This is practically criminal.
Flashback to Measure M 2006
Same time, same channel it seems, we are late for the party and have no real data and don't have an architect or a serious financial advisor (and I'm not talking about the financial manager Chet Beedle whose recent success was in obtaining a credit card to pay for the pharmacy stock to the tune of 90K. Go Chet.)
We did the exact same thing in 2006 and lost the election. And we had an architectural plan which wouldn't work, would cost more than the 12.5 million the community was to pay, and while we were being lead by Pam Ott to do this GOB, the nursing center and our residents there were allegedly being quieted as they didn't need any problems while they tried to get their general obligation bond.
Coincidence or not?
Now we are doing it again. Still with Chet Beedle, though he will not be in charge of the monies if indeed it is a bond we want and not to simply raise taxes for a few years. But Chet will be in charge of some of that money and that should be looked into very closely by this board of directors.
And if there is a fair and just system, which there isn't, maybe we will get a couple new board members who aren't afraid to give the boot to a financial guy who would actually agree to a "time and material" contract which gave a company more than two million.
How do I know? Because I have the receipts. And I still can't tell what we paid for. And we didn't get what we wanted which was a clean bill of health for the nursing center.
After millions were spent on the nursing center, and criminal charges were filed, and civil suits are waiting in the wings, we go to the community and say: Hey, what else are you going to do? You have to have a hospital. Pay up or dry up the whole valley.
Next up: A few clarifications
I was told in detail by the former CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, that CEO, Tim McGlew told her about private information regarding my healthcare at the Rural Health Clinic. I challenged the situation with the CEO, and was told that he didn't do this.
Okay.
Then I was told that the maintenance man that appeared suddenly at the September board meeting and began hassling us about our camera. He told our cameraman he couldn't film.
I told him we would film, and we did. I made a remark on this blog about how strange it was that suddenly this person was giving me problems. I was told that he was there for some reason from the past, and to help with the microphones. Funny enough that very night the microphones were off, and I said to this guy why don't you go fix the microphones and quit worrying about what I'm doing.
It's on the blog that I said this and then seven months later I hear that it was purposeful that he was brought to that meeting, from the former CCO.
Okay.
What am I supposed to do. Nothing.
In all of these cases there is no agency that really fulfills it's obligation to not just write laws but to actually provide oversite and penalty. Nothing like that happens, it's a lie. This situation at the KVHD is an example of how the government pretends to work.
Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, who wants to trade in his Prius for a Hummer, is currently the example of justice in this state. Question is what kind of justice is he hawking?
With the wave of his hand he could clean up our hospital, the situation between our hospital and Cal Mtg., demand the county begin an oversight committee to go along with the hospital which may or may not be here in a year or so.
Justice costs money
We all know that justice costs money. We have to gather the attorneys who get paid to stare at the walls, it's all about money. Big money.
Is the Kern River Valley worth as much as Goonies gone wild on pills? Or my favorite the urgent press conference regarding the tragic overdose of that example of saline implants and botox showers, Anna Nicole Smith, who was not a victim, but simply someone who chose to use drugs, lots of them.
The attorney general has a budget and if they don't see some benefit in your case, they aren't going to spend the money. Anna Nicole was famous and Jerry Brown is ready to call a moving company to the Governor's mansion, so she won out.
When will we win out?
I've not even begun to tell you what has happened to others at our hospital, ER, and Rural Health Clinic. I've been collecting stories for years and now we will finally get down to business: protecting the public, stopping the prejudice and getting them to walk the walk.
I know there are good people in this hospital and they would do a wonderful job if only they could. But with money misspent, lies to cover the dire situation which actually exists, board members (well, some are trying, just not quite strong enough to wield an axe and that is what is needed) willing to look away and be non-confrontational, nothing will change except the rapidity of the down hill slide.
Get past the finger pointing
With all sorts of stories cropping up, a rather thoughtless remark made at the last board meeting which ended up in the local "noose" paper.
Whoever is telling the truth or hiding the partial truth I don't care about it's too small to pick up with boxing gloves on. I do care about the employees at the pharmacy, the way money is monitored and spent, and the possibility of a 30 year obligation on this community; those are my concerns.
And as you found out, my concerns are for the health and safety of the patients including myself.
This is a business where cutting back or constantly using the CT scan or the inability to act as if we are "neighbors and friends" not judge harshly anyone who may be a junkie. If they are a junkie, hide your prescription pad, and shut up, it's their life. If they have children though, definitely report that situation.
The room for improvement is the largest room in the world-anonymous
Coming up: the April 6 board meeting. Pictures and quotes.
There have been a lot of rumor and innuendo thrown about recently, and I'm not talking about my standard "highly theoretical suppositions" such as the one about the less than open, board meeting with two board members.
I retracted the opinion that a highly suspicious meeting was held without the knowledge and or invitation to the other board members making it an actual meeting, special, urgent, or otherwise.
However, it's true the Brown Act, which lists the laws by which a public board must conduct itself, is rarely, if ever, supported by the Grand Jury, or county prosecutors.
Tricky stuff when two board members start talking about a general obligation bond which may be voted upon at sometime in the near future.
But we have put that behind us, and hope that the rest of the communications remain out in the open for the public to digest as they are just learning thru my survey phone calls what KVHD is: your hospital in a public district where board members are voted in.
And what a GOB is: a general obligation bond spread out over thirty years where homeowners would pay off this debt with property taxes limited to such amounts like $100 for every 100K of assessed value.
Levy a tax: because the hospital is public, in a public district, built with public monies, partially funded by community property tax dollars, the hospital could raise money it needs* by raising this tax for a few short years rather than 30 or maybe 60 or even 90...
sound crazy? What if they need another bond. If we are comparing ourselves to other hospitals and districts like Tehachapi, then you see that one bond may not be enough. And they will come crying back to us because they have not taken care of the money they have.
But they start by taking the first GOB, and then if they can successfully build something or create services that fit this community and are not the type which will create lawsuits, then they may have saved the day.
If for some reason, anything, and I mean anything happens and that money the community is paying up is misspent or not built or not as it was described in the brochure: this place will go down. So, I would think they would want this process to be precise and open, backed by leaders like Assemblywoman, Jean Fuller, and overseen and scrutinized by county supervisor, Jon Mcquiston, who represents our district.
When will we see either of these two or Kevin McCarthy, still scrapping away about federal healthcare reform, but not here where we are the people who vote for him.
This whole process should have started last year as I kept crowing there were serious financial problems and we needed to get on it. Nobody did anything. And the CFO lied on tape on camera that everything was fine, we were putting away all our money we owe, nothing unusual.
Then "BOOM" we're in trouble, help us, we need volume, we sold our mammography, we can't afford to run the district properly. This is practically criminal.
Flashback to Measure M 2006
Same time, same channel it seems, we are late for the party and have no real data and don't have an architect or a serious financial advisor (and I'm not talking about the financial manager Chet Beedle whose recent success was in obtaining a credit card to pay for the pharmacy stock to the tune of 90K. Go Chet.)
We did the exact same thing in 2006 and lost the election. And we had an architectural plan which wouldn't work, would cost more than the 12.5 million the community was to pay, and while we were being lead by Pam Ott to do this GOB, the nursing center and our residents there were allegedly being quieted as they didn't need any problems while they tried to get their general obligation bond.
Coincidence or not?
Now we are doing it again. Still with Chet Beedle, though he will not be in charge of the monies if indeed it is a bond we want and not to simply raise taxes for a few years. But Chet will be in charge of some of that money and that should be looked into very closely by this board of directors.
And if there is a fair and just system, which there isn't, maybe we will get a couple new board members who aren't afraid to give the boot to a financial guy who would actually agree to a "time and material" contract which gave a company more than two million.
How do I know? Because I have the receipts. And I still can't tell what we paid for. And we didn't get what we wanted which was a clean bill of health for the nursing center.
After millions were spent on the nursing center, and criminal charges were filed, and civil suits are waiting in the wings, we go to the community and say: Hey, what else are you going to do? You have to have a hospital. Pay up or dry up the whole valley.
Next up: A few clarifications
I was told in detail by the former CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, that CEO, Tim McGlew told her about private information regarding my healthcare at the Rural Health Clinic. I challenged the situation with the CEO, and was told that he didn't do this.
Okay.
Then I was told that the maintenance man that appeared suddenly at the September board meeting and began hassling us about our camera. He told our cameraman he couldn't film.
I told him we would film, and we did. I made a remark on this blog about how strange it was that suddenly this person was giving me problems. I was told that he was there for some reason from the past, and to help with the microphones. Funny enough that very night the microphones were off, and I said to this guy why don't you go fix the microphones and quit worrying about what I'm doing.
It's on the blog that I said this and then seven months later I hear that it was purposeful that he was brought to that meeting, from the former CCO.
Okay.
What am I supposed to do. Nothing.
In all of these cases there is no agency that really fulfills it's obligation to not just write laws but to actually provide oversite and penalty. Nothing like that happens, it's a lie. This situation at the KVHD is an example of how the government pretends to work.
Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, who wants to trade in his Prius for a Hummer, is currently the example of justice in this state. Question is what kind of justice is he hawking?
With the wave of his hand he could clean up our hospital, the situation between our hospital and Cal Mtg., demand the county begin an oversight committee to go along with the hospital which may or may not be here in a year or so.
Justice costs money
We all know that justice costs money. We have to gather the attorneys who get paid to stare at the walls, it's all about money. Big money.
Is the Kern River Valley worth as much as Goonies gone wild on pills? Or my favorite the urgent press conference regarding the tragic overdose of that example of saline implants and botox showers, Anna Nicole Smith, who was not a victim, but simply someone who chose to use drugs, lots of them.
The attorney general has a budget and if they don't see some benefit in your case, they aren't going to spend the money. Anna Nicole was famous and Jerry Brown is ready to call a moving company to the Governor's mansion, so she won out.
When will we win out?
I've not even begun to tell you what has happened to others at our hospital, ER, and Rural Health Clinic. I've been collecting stories for years and now we will finally get down to business: protecting the public, stopping the prejudice and getting them to walk the walk.
I know there are good people in this hospital and they would do a wonderful job if only they could. But with money misspent, lies to cover the dire situation which actually exists, board members (well, some are trying, just not quite strong enough to wield an axe and that is what is needed) willing to look away and be non-confrontational, nothing will change except the rapidity of the down hill slide.
Get past the finger pointing
With all sorts of stories cropping up, a rather thoughtless remark made at the last board meeting which ended up in the local "noose" paper.
Whoever is telling the truth or hiding the partial truth I don't care about it's too small to pick up with boxing gloves on. I do care about the employees at the pharmacy, the way money is monitored and spent, and the possibility of a 30 year obligation on this community; those are my concerns.
And as you found out, my concerns are for the health and safety of the patients including myself.
This is a business where cutting back or constantly using the CT scan or the inability to act as if we are "neighbors and friends" not judge harshly anyone who may be a junkie. If they are a junkie, hide your prescription pad, and shut up, it's their life. If they have children though, definitely report that situation.
The room for improvement is the largest room in the world-anonymous
Coming up: the April 6 board meeting. Pictures and quotes.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The race is on: Cal mtg. takeover vs. KVHD bond measure or tax increase...oooh it's going to be close
My money is on Cal Mtg.
Since I have recently discovered or had the epiphany that nobody can really understand this "can of worms" or as some call it around here, "Pandora's box," my blog, full of far too much information.
But there are people who know exactly what I'm talking about. They are the board members at KVHD, the administrators, the government entities who play dumb and keep the public confused and unable to sort through the facts, or more so the evidence.
Currently, keeping you up to date, the hospital would really like it if you and you and you and heck, all of you in the Kern River Valley, would pledge to pay off a 30 year bond, worth about 20 million to the hospital. It will be about $100 per 100K of assessed value. Or option two comes with three suitcases and a carry on, and only costs $90 extra dollars per 100k of assessed value.
Now what they are going to do with the money ( is any one's guess, probably run) is pay off that debt from 20 years ago which is a great story for a party with alot of alcohol available as that is what you'll need to get anyone dumb enough to believe the story.
It started out at 22 million to build on to the existing hospital worth maybe 3 million. Cal Mtg. a cunning California plan devised to actually make money insured it would be done and accepted the backwoods plan to make this hospital hum.
We use their credit and Cal Mtg. insures our loans or revenue bonds. But if you don't pay Cal Mtg. they come in and take your hospital or clinic or even Home for Jewish Parents which has 118 million in debt covered by Cal Mtg.
Why do we care about that?
Because the CEO of our hospital, Tim Mcglew, worked there and was part of the 118 million dollar solution and obviously knows quite a bit about Cal Mtg.
And some members of the community may remember that Cal Mtg took over this hospital one hot summer day ( or cold winter morn') and discharged the CEO and chairman of the board, with a snap of the fingers and appeared a line of polyester suits waiting to be paid to fix the failing hospital.
One of the people who came to us around that time, is the current cheif financial officer, Chet Beedle. He started off as a part time kid, then, suddenly full time, even though the hospital had a controller and still has a financial consulting firm which could have handled everything.
Beedle is suspect to me as last year on tape, on video, he told this community there were no problems financially and my proposal to Cal Mtg. was totally unnecessary. Yes, we could have tried to wheel an deal but nobody had the proper sports car, especially Mr. Beedle.
Also, Beedle is known to have a lucrative contract with this public healthcare district where he resides in Apple Valley, but is allowed free rent to live during the week in the valley.
His salary, his benefits are over the top for a modest or bargain type healthcare district.
People who complain about administrative costs at your banks, at Wal Mart, should look around your own corner and quit staring at the TV.
Right in your own backyard.
General obligation bonds
If the hospital somehow convinces the voters of the valley to go ahead and give them 20 million and it happens, what happens if there's another circumstance where the community would need money?
What I'm saying is that if we take out this GOB and suddenly we need another one to save a school or maybe fix the damn, we will still be burdened for thirty years paying off this bond.
It's a consideration that there are a lot of needs for bonds, schools, recreation, potentially fixing the dam, or a great big outdoor theater with acoustics which are like none ever heard (it could be urgent).
The hospital had a lot of chances
If Cal mtg. comes in because we can't pay our way, oh well. This district has had a lot of chances to try and run itself, voters you voted these folks in who made the decisions that lead to this dead end. We have criminal and civil lawsuits, but never an apology from the people who allowed this to happen.
Forget the apology, I believe most should be charged or used as a witness.
Let Cal Mtg. run the hospital. If they want it take it, it's not working anyway.
Then if a private hospital comes along, they could see an excellent opportunity to make a dollar up here. If you're the only game in town and you still can't make it, what exactly does that say about you?
Come on over Cal mtg. I can't wait...
I'd have a veritable ball if Cal Mtg came here and took over the hospital. I would probably live here the rest of my life because of it.
Imagine, Don Morey, could visit all the time, with Gary Evans, and we could drink some beers over at the cove. I know we would be great friends, as I love government agencies who take advantage of small town folks for big money, and then threaten to take over.
We will have a ball. Trust me.
Next idea: could taxes be a better solution?
Since I have recently discovered or had the epiphany that nobody can really understand this "can of worms" or as some call it around here, "Pandora's box," my blog, full of far too much information.
But there are people who know exactly what I'm talking about. They are the board members at KVHD, the administrators, the government entities who play dumb and keep the public confused and unable to sort through the facts, or more so the evidence.
Currently, keeping you up to date, the hospital would really like it if you and you and you and heck, all of you in the Kern River Valley, would pledge to pay off a 30 year bond, worth about 20 million to the hospital. It will be about $100 per 100K of assessed value. Or option two comes with three suitcases and a carry on, and only costs $90 extra dollars per 100k of assessed value.
Now what they are going to do with the money ( is any one's guess, probably run) is pay off that debt from 20 years ago which is a great story for a party with alot of alcohol available as that is what you'll need to get anyone dumb enough to believe the story.
It started out at 22 million to build on to the existing hospital worth maybe 3 million. Cal Mtg. a cunning California plan devised to actually make money insured it would be done and accepted the backwoods plan to make this hospital hum.
We use their credit and Cal Mtg. insures our loans or revenue bonds. But if you don't pay Cal Mtg. they come in and take your hospital or clinic or even Home for Jewish Parents which has 118 million in debt covered by Cal Mtg.
Why do we care about that?
Because the CEO of our hospital, Tim Mcglew, worked there and was part of the 118 million dollar solution and obviously knows quite a bit about Cal Mtg.
And some members of the community may remember that Cal Mtg took over this hospital one hot summer day ( or cold winter morn') and discharged the CEO and chairman of the board, with a snap of the fingers and appeared a line of polyester suits waiting to be paid to fix the failing hospital.
One of the people who came to us around that time, is the current cheif financial officer, Chet Beedle. He started off as a part time kid, then, suddenly full time, even though the hospital had a controller and still has a financial consulting firm which could have handled everything.
Beedle is suspect to me as last year on tape, on video, he told this community there were no problems financially and my proposal to Cal Mtg. was totally unnecessary. Yes, we could have tried to wheel an deal but nobody had the proper sports car, especially Mr. Beedle.
Also, Beedle is known to have a lucrative contract with this public healthcare district where he resides in Apple Valley, but is allowed free rent to live during the week in the valley.
His salary, his benefits are over the top for a modest or bargain type healthcare district.
People who complain about administrative costs at your banks, at Wal Mart, should look around your own corner and quit staring at the TV.
Right in your own backyard.
General obligation bonds
If the hospital somehow convinces the voters of the valley to go ahead and give them 20 million and it happens, what happens if there's another circumstance where the community would need money?
What I'm saying is that if we take out this GOB and suddenly we need another one to save a school or maybe fix the damn, we will still be burdened for thirty years paying off this bond.
It's a consideration that there are a lot of needs for bonds, schools, recreation, potentially fixing the dam, or a great big outdoor theater with acoustics which are like none ever heard (it could be urgent).
The hospital had a lot of chances
If Cal mtg. comes in because we can't pay our way, oh well. This district has had a lot of chances to try and run itself, voters you voted these folks in who made the decisions that lead to this dead end. We have criminal and civil lawsuits, but never an apology from the people who allowed this to happen.
Forget the apology, I believe most should be charged or used as a witness.
Let Cal Mtg. run the hospital. If they want it take it, it's not working anyway.
Then if a private hospital comes along, they could see an excellent opportunity to make a dollar up here. If you're the only game in town and you still can't make it, what exactly does that say about you?
Come on over Cal mtg. I can't wait...
I'd have a veritable ball if Cal Mtg came here and took over the hospital. I would probably live here the rest of my life because of it.
Imagine, Don Morey, could visit all the time, with Gary Evans, and we could drink some beers over at the cove. I know we would be great friends, as I love government agencies who take advantage of small town folks for big money, and then threaten to take over.
We will have a ball. Trust me.
Next idea: could taxes be a better solution?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Comments to KVHD under Fire!
I realize that small comment remark at the end of the posts has been overlooked by many, including me. And I appreciate the fact that people take the time to write directly to me and let me know how they feel.
As I've said before I don't want this blog to look like the "website of the damned" on the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper website.
When I'm depressed I'll sometimes look at that site and realize, thanks, I'm okay and even the weirdest of my Friends are okay in comparison to the lackey's who "express" themselves on that forum.
Since the survey and the general obligation bond, healthcare reform, I've had quite a few remarks I am going to post.
Some contain bad language, but I will edit it. I'm sure it's just my macaw and I who appreciate such vulgarity.
RE GOB:
"Are they crazy? I'm not paying them a dime, in fact I'm getting out the ads and moving. There's no jobs here, no decent people I can see, and these backward ^&*)*^*&^)- morons couldn't build a *&^%" with the best company in America." (that was edited for space and obviously language)
"I'll pay for my kids education that is no problem but I'm not paying for the political crap that has gone on for years and I mean years at that hospital. We need school monies, teachers, so those supposed doctors can be trained properly and stop selling their souls to the pharmaceutical companies."
(edited for space, spelling)
"My mother died in that nursing home, but she was treated well. The nurses were sweet and attentive, she had good years while she was there. That is why I'm so concerned about what is going on now. My mother died six years ago before the police found out what is going on. If they hurt these people they should be in jail for good."
(I agree, but who should be in jail? everybody? the newspapers, the radio, the board of directors, the nurses, the CEO, The CFO, the CNO, DON, Social Services, Staffing coordinator, human resources, the secretaries, anyone involved? We will find out soon)
"Good job to all at the pharmacy in Mountain Mesa. Thank you everyday for doing your job even with the hospital going bankrupt. These are good employees who should be appreciated, really I hope they are.)
(made a slight grammatical correction)
Not all agree with me there is one person who likes to tell me off and I have to admit, I don't mind, and often get a big laugh out of it. At least if people have an opinion they are using their brains for more than a paper holder.
I've been the bad guy for years now and truthfully, as much as I am criticized and judged, I know most of the people around me could never hold up to this sort of attack. I know I'm made for this kind of job, it has been in the cards all my life.
We all have a raison d'etra.
As I told an old friend, "if you stick with the truth, you will remain standing." Then I pointed at my new 20 pounds of weight, and noted to her, "I'm still standing and I'm still here."
I told her its the runners and hiders who are scared and the very reason nothing changes in this world: but I'm not one of them.
She smiled, kind of bewildered, and then said, "you're right, you didn't run like the rest or hide." I must say it's nice to see people finally "get it."
So, again, anyone planning on picketing the hospital? Or maybe a "sit in?" or "tea party" or something really American. We are not quite yet the desperate souls of the middle east, we can do it our way, and still make progress.
If you are waiting for yet another statistic about how well the economy is coming back so you can relax in your tent city, you will get one. The last thing the government wants is for the American people to get educated and vote. Yeah, that's sad, but the rich want to be richer, and the only thing you have is your vote.
I suggest you use it wisely.
As I've said before I don't want this blog to look like the "website of the damned" on the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper website.
When I'm depressed I'll sometimes look at that site and realize, thanks, I'm okay and even the weirdest of my Friends are okay in comparison to the lackey's who "express" themselves on that forum.
Since the survey and the general obligation bond, healthcare reform, I've had quite a few remarks I am going to post.
Some contain bad language, but I will edit it. I'm sure it's just my macaw and I who appreciate such vulgarity.
RE GOB:
"Are they crazy? I'm not paying them a dime, in fact I'm getting out the ads and moving. There's no jobs here, no decent people I can see, and these backward ^&*)*^*&^)- morons couldn't build a *&^%" with the best company in America." (that was edited for space and obviously language)
"I'll pay for my kids education that is no problem but I'm not paying for the political crap that has gone on for years and I mean years at that hospital. We need school monies, teachers, so those supposed doctors can be trained properly and stop selling their souls to the pharmaceutical companies."
(edited for space, spelling)
"My mother died in that nursing home, but she was treated well. The nurses were sweet and attentive, she had good years while she was there. That is why I'm so concerned about what is going on now. My mother died six years ago before the police found out what is going on. If they hurt these people they should be in jail for good."
(I agree, but who should be in jail? everybody? the newspapers, the radio, the board of directors, the nurses, the CEO, The CFO, the CNO, DON, Social Services, Staffing coordinator, human resources, the secretaries, anyone involved? We will find out soon)
"Good job to all at the pharmacy in Mountain Mesa. Thank you everyday for doing your job even with the hospital going bankrupt. These are good employees who should be appreciated, really I hope they are.)
(made a slight grammatical correction)
Not all agree with me there is one person who likes to tell me off and I have to admit, I don't mind, and often get a big laugh out of it. At least if people have an opinion they are using their brains for more than a paper holder.
I've been the bad guy for years now and truthfully, as much as I am criticized and judged, I know most of the people around me could never hold up to this sort of attack. I know I'm made for this kind of job, it has been in the cards all my life.
We all have a raison d'etra.
As I told an old friend, "if you stick with the truth, you will remain standing." Then I pointed at my new 20 pounds of weight, and noted to her, "I'm still standing and I'm still here."
I told her its the runners and hiders who are scared and the very reason nothing changes in this world: but I'm not one of them.
She smiled, kind of bewildered, and then said, "you're right, you didn't run like the rest or hide." I must say it's nice to see people finally "get it."
So, again, anyone planning on picketing the hospital? Or maybe a "sit in?" or "tea party" or something really American. We are not quite yet the desperate souls of the middle east, we can do it our way, and still make progress.
If you are waiting for yet another statistic about how well the economy is coming back so you can relax in your tent city, you will get one. The last thing the government wants is for the American people to get educated and vote. Yeah, that's sad, but the rich want to be richer, and the only thing you have is your vote.
I suggest you use it wisely.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Will Obama save our rural hospital: Sunday's vote looks to pass
I got on the Internet late today and found there is definitely hope that President Obama will have success or whatever you want to call it, he will have accomplished his goal of passing a healthcare reform bill.
What I find sad is that had he passed a bill "eliminating" earmarks and the pork from the barrel, which would have been a big seller, LOL, had he done that first, it would make sense then to push through a bill that is not "finished" or polished.
It's a huge economic change, people forced to buy insurance, 95 million new customers under the age of 65, and another stimulus to the medicare recipients with a deal made with the pharmaceutical companies in advance for paying for millions worth of advertising to back the bill.
(In bed with the drug dealers calling the insurance companies the whores, excuse my language.)
A month ago two board members from the Kern Valley Healthcare District, the CEO, Tim McGlew, Chet Beedle Financial engineer (choo choo), had a meeting about a potential general obligation bond. The meeting was closed to the public and not all board members attended, although, it would seem this meeting may be crossing the line into a "serial meeting" as outlined in the Brown Act.
It also was not open to the public, no response was offered by the Tim McGlew or former CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, regarding the full extent of the meeting.
The meeting was about money and how this hospital will survive the economic woes it is currently experiencing.
Some members have discussed bankruptcy which is unpopular with Beedle and McGlew, as we are encumbered with debt in the form of revenue bonds,
which could make the bankruptcy shaky as the state of California (you know that lovely place that has ruined itself financially) insures this debt out of a quaint little office, called "Cal Mtg."
Both Beedle and McGlew are familiar with Cal Mtg. as Beedle joined KVHD when Cal Mtg. seized the hospital which was flailing under a financial burden they could have actually, if the correct decisions were made, could have made this hospital the Taj Mahal.
Had the bond money created the full plan, this hospital would be a whole new building, with updated tech stuff, plenty of services to keep the valley happy. But some board members, such as Brad Armstrong, sat by while we were ripped off by contractors who never finished the job.
Then Cal Mtg. gave us more money so we could still not finish the job, now just owe nine more million dollars. Bravo.
So, now today, on the very night President Obama has won the first round: don't forget elephants don't forget, and there will likely be another vote before this all over. But it could happen and if it does...
Would we need that increase in property taxes in the valley to sustain the hospital?
But first thing that hit me was the new bill will put an explosive amount of people right into the system. How will that change things? Fast, is what I say. People who weren't going to the doctor will be now.
And spanking the insurance companies for not covering certain tests, treatments, and better cruises for the doctors, will most certainly bring about more business: right here in the valley.
(And what is more business called: volume. Oh yeah, that was Beedle's idea. Here's your nickel for that advice)
Here at the rural Kern Valley Healthcare District, our financial advisor, Chet Beedle, has been saying for a few months that the financial problems happening are caused by the fact that 40% of the people treated here don't have insurance.
Some are able to qualify for state and federal charity programs, but are resistant to do so and therefore being called the problem itself. The burden is the customer of the hospital who doesn't fill out forms to help the hospital get paid.
You see this is new, because it has always averaged 10%, and now we're being shaken by this huge figure of almost half of the people who come to the hospital are not insured or capable of paying or even willing to fill out a few forms making themselves fall into the "indigent" pile. (Bad, bad, customers. Hospital's great though, they wait three years to send bills for $8. Thank the heaven's nobody pays attention to this hospital, because you couldn't pass this hypocrisy off on anyone with a brain.)
Now, if these people are suddenly able to get insurance because Obama commands it, sustain the payments, would our 40% figure drop to a normal amount such as 10% and or even below? Thereby loosing us from having to do any of the things the community would love, like higher property taxes, or sky high sales taxes, or a bankruptcy?
There's too much not to floating around we need to wait and see how it all lands, but we will follow the hospital closely as there are many questions right now that must be answered.
But if we are someone relieved of the huge financial burden, it's time for a change at KVHD. It's been a chronic problem, when do we actually fix this, and quit hiding in the back rooms from the public, or I should say me.
(Just a little side story here, I found out from a reliable source recently that there is a nice gentlemen in maintanence that plays two roles at the hospital: first he does his job, then he attends board meetings. His job at the board meetings is me. From now on we sit together and I get pictures of him for my family and maybe a cheap frame. See you soon. And thanks to whomever thought that one up. Oh, we are going to have so much fun, I can't wait.)
(And when we finally get some sanity back or started, please, can we start from the top and move down this time?)
Just as a final thought, there is word on the street that Chet Beedle who has a residence out of the area, and has been using our KVHD rental units free of charge for the last ten years, is suddenly paying a few bucks a day.
Question: is that his only contribution? Tracy Brown and her employees used the apartments; traveling staff used the apartments; Tim McGlew used it while he house hunted; former CEO, Rick Carter, had a place; can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture? Test at next board meeting.
Here's my latest Obama camp email for you to peruse; I'm on all the lists:
For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.This is what change looks like.My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.Thank you,President Barack Obama
What I find sad is that had he passed a bill "eliminating" earmarks and the pork from the barrel, which would have been a big seller, LOL, had he done that first, it would make sense then to push through a bill that is not "finished" or polished.
It's a huge economic change, people forced to buy insurance, 95 million new customers under the age of 65, and another stimulus to the medicare recipients with a deal made with the pharmaceutical companies in advance for paying for millions worth of advertising to back the bill.
(In bed with the drug dealers calling the insurance companies the whores, excuse my language.)
A month ago two board members from the Kern Valley Healthcare District, the CEO, Tim McGlew, Chet Beedle Financial engineer (choo choo), had a meeting about a potential general obligation bond. The meeting was closed to the public and not all board members attended, although, it would seem this meeting may be crossing the line into a "serial meeting" as outlined in the Brown Act.
It also was not open to the public, no response was offered by the Tim McGlew or former CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, regarding the full extent of the meeting.
The meeting was about money and how this hospital will survive the economic woes it is currently experiencing.
Some members have discussed bankruptcy which is unpopular with Beedle and McGlew, as we are encumbered with debt in the form of revenue bonds,
which could make the bankruptcy shaky as the state of California (you know that lovely place that has ruined itself financially) insures this debt out of a quaint little office, called "Cal Mtg."
Both Beedle and McGlew are familiar with Cal Mtg. as Beedle joined KVHD when Cal Mtg. seized the hospital which was flailing under a financial burden they could have actually, if the correct decisions were made, could have made this hospital the Taj Mahal.
Had the bond money created the full plan, this hospital would be a whole new building, with updated tech stuff, plenty of services to keep the valley happy. But some board members, such as Brad Armstrong, sat by while we were ripped off by contractors who never finished the job.
Then Cal Mtg. gave us more money so we could still not finish the job, now just owe nine more million dollars. Bravo.
So, now today, on the very night President Obama has won the first round: don't forget elephants don't forget, and there will likely be another vote before this all over. But it could happen and if it does...
Would we need that increase in property taxes in the valley to sustain the hospital?
But first thing that hit me was the new bill will put an explosive amount of people right into the system. How will that change things? Fast, is what I say. People who weren't going to the doctor will be now.
And spanking the insurance companies for not covering certain tests, treatments, and better cruises for the doctors, will most certainly bring about more business: right here in the valley.
(And what is more business called: volume. Oh yeah, that was Beedle's idea. Here's your nickel for that advice)
Here at the rural Kern Valley Healthcare District, our financial advisor, Chet Beedle, has been saying for a few months that the financial problems happening are caused by the fact that 40% of the people treated here don't have insurance.
Some are able to qualify for state and federal charity programs, but are resistant to do so and therefore being called the problem itself. The burden is the customer of the hospital who doesn't fill out forms to help the hospital get paid.
You see this is new, because it has always averaged 10%, and now we're being shaken by this huge figure of almost half of the people who come to the hospital are not insured or capable of paying or even willing to fill out a few forms making themselves fall into the "indigent" pile. (Bad, bad, customers. Hospital's great though, they wait three years to send bills for $8. Thank the heaven's nobody pays attention to this hospital, because you couldn't pass this hypocrisy off on anyone with a brain.)
Now, if these people are suddenly able to get insurance because Obama commands it, sustain the payments, would our 40% figure drop to a normal amount such as 10% and or even below? Thereby loosing us from having to do any of the things the community would love, like higher property taxes, or sky high sales taxes, or a bankruptcy?
There's too much not to floating around we need to wait and see how it all lands, but we will follow the hospital closely as there are many questions right now that must be answered.
But if we are someone relieved of the huge financial burden, it's time for a change at KVHD. It's been a chronic problem, when do we actually fix this, and quit hiding in the back rooms from the public, or I should say me.
(Just a little side story here, I found out from a reliable source recently that there is a nice gentlemen in maintanence that plays two roles at the hospital: first he does his job, then he attends board meetings. His job at the board meetings is me. From now on we sit together and I get pictures of him for my family and maybe a cheap frame. See you soon. And thanks to whomever thought that one up. Oh, we are going to have so much fun, I can't wait.)
(And when we finally get some sanity back or started, please, can we start from the top and move down this time?)
Just as a final thought, there is word on the street that Chet Beedle who has a residence out of the area, and has been using our KVHD rental units free of charge for the last ten years, is suddenly paying a few bucks a day.
Question: is that his only contribution? Tracy Brown and her employees used the apartments; traveling staff used the apartments; Tim McGlew used it while he house hunted; former CEO, Rick Carter, had a place; can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture? Test at next board meeting.
Here's my latest Obama camp email for you to peruse; I'm on all the lists:
For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.This is what change looks like.My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.Thank you,President Barack Obama
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Bakersfield Now and the Kern Valley Sun only one's with Elder Abuse stories
UPDATE: I find it interesting to go back over this blog as it seems a bit haunted, as I say things, and funny enough they happen. This post is no different as the June preliminary hearing was reset until August, as the court could not accommodate the continuance requested for one week by the Department of Justice who had an expert witness on vacation. Okay.
Boy, the Attorney General Jerry Brown did go on the path of the Governor's office. Great, now there's absolutely nobody to call if there are problems. I say this because the state's case is a "loser." There's no way Muni is going to get this botched investigation past our new lawyers for Ott, Donald Etra. Woops, he's Dr. Pormir's attorney or is it Hughes? If nothing else they like to take car rides together, all of them.
The cries for help, the botched investigation, the lack of interest other than a bid for the top office from the state.
It's sad.
But after Mr Etra and Ginsburg passed through our town a few months ago and had a visit with what they said was a simple gathering of support for Dr. Pormir, they ended up with a story and some documents. Not exactly a nice thing to do as the duo teamed up with Jim Faulkner and Bruce Blythe, helping the three left to face...the ominous, no...sloppy DOJ.
I'm going to open this thing up like a wound soon, and you the reader, the players, whoever you are, you're going to be up here on the plank.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I, of course, decided to sleep in on this court date, let someone else do it, I thought rolling up in my comforter would be better. And there they were, the Kern Valley Sun, finally doing their job. ZZZZZZZZZ
Though, Bakerfield Now, had the early edition of the story, it was one long paragraph, with the facts. It was out on the internet before 2 pm.
The Sun came in later, but they had the best picture of Ott and her attorney, Jim Faulkner, it's worth taking a peek at as it seems the editor jumped out of bathroom or a hallway and scared the two of them. For Ott fans you may enjoy that look on her face, something out of a B movie.
Unfortunately, the facts were not correct as they tried to overwrite rather than sticking to the latest, basic facts, where you can't go wrong.
In the Sun article, Perfect said that Pormir, Hughes, and former defendant, Debbi Hayes, were all charged with assault stemming from an incident where a resident was held down and given an injection of Risperdal, a very strong antipsychotic which has to be given in slow, smaller doses, or the patient could possibly react and die.
However, It is former Director of Nursing, Gwen Hughes who has the assault charges, NOT DR. PORMIR (that's for the hard of hearing) or Ott. And Debbi Hayes has no elder abuse or assault charges against her, as she is a witness if the case goes to trial.
And the other error that admittedly the Sun would not know about was that the woman allegedly given this shot of Risperdal, Louise Zimmerman, the date is incorrect as to when it occurred. (That's a whole other story isn't it DOJ?)
Another thing that is irritating to a reader about an article of this magnitude is the repetitious information which came from last year or the year before. I think if you ask any nurse working in that hospital at the time, not that many work at KVHD now, but they will tell you the repeated mantra about the Ombudsman in 2007, makes people believe it was real.
All that is is a statement from the DOJ report in Feb. 2008, but the information has changed, and the truth is there were complaints early in 2006, all the way thru Jan. of 2007, and they went to Ott, the board of directors, the public health department, the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, a freelance writer, yes, the state and local ombudsman, social services, and exactly how many other places were these people supposed to go?
That kind of reporting makes for slippery information which can't be backed up with paperwork, only by an ancient, inflammatory statement from the attorney general's office. That's selling cheap information, a second grader could do that with blunt scissors. A cut and paste job.
But as far as winning the race and bringing along a few good facts, and the best picture, the Sun, attempted the job and brought part of it home. ''
What about the timing of this
Though I wish the Sun had gotten a picture of mysterious attorney, Donald Etra, who came on with Dr. Pormir last month, I would love to hear some details about him rather than a press release sort of thing.
Since only two outlets covered the case, as I called the rest, and one called me, I'm assuming the Sun and Bakersfield Now (channel 29 and 58), are the only ones inside on this case.
I'll find out more.
Now, we have three months, and they have finally set up the preliminary hearing date which goes the day after the pre-preliminary where anything can happen and usually does.
But progress has been made, date sets, but what about that June date? (see update)
There are a lot of brides in June, could it be someone is getting married to say, an election bid for governor?
If current AG Jerry Brown goes on to win his parties' backing and go screaming for the mansion, doughnuts on the front lawn, it would be prudent that he prosecute our case since it has gotten so much publicity, right Diane Sawyer. And now, right Cathy Perfect?
But if he looks like a long shot come June, we could see our case dropped like a hot rock.
So, it comes down to politics, not justice.
And hey, Donald Etra, send me a pic, even your facebook pic, i don't care.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Broken News: Elder Case set for preliminary hearings June 22 and June 23; of this year I hope...
Preliminary information has the three defendants in the Kern Valley Healthcare district elder abuse case in court today, and the preliminary hearing is finally set, for late June, when summer school begins.
(Gosh, they have to have summer school, we did well during the regular school year to avoid that very thing)
I'm sure there are more details, and I'll be back later when i find them.
The only regret I have is that I didn't throw on my Nikes and appear in court to find the latest attorney in the case, Donald Etra.
But if this information is correct and the preliminary hearing is set, then we may have a chance to see this case "spilled" in court. I would love it. I would only hope that other witnesses from the hospital would appear, or actually a nice thick subpoena would be delivered to those who thought they could escape their responsibility.
I apologize, as I leap ahead, but I didn't spend the last four years of my life studying, researching, writing to see the culprits skitter under the floorboards to escape.
More later...
(Gosh, they have to have summer school, we did well during the regular school year to avoid that very thing)
I'm sure there are more details, and I'll be back later when i find them.
The only regret I have is that I didn't throw on my Nikes and appear in court to find the latest attorney in the case, Donald Etra.
But if this information is correct and the preliminary hearing is set, then we may have a chance to see this case "spilled" in court. I would love it. I would only hope that other witnesses from the hospital would appear, or actually a nice thick subpoena would be delivered to those who thought they could escape their responsibility.
I apologize, as I leap ahead, but I didn't spend the last four years of my life studying, researching, writing to see the culprits skitter under the floorboards to escape.
More later...
California should watch, as Jerry Brown's gangs in Kern County Superior Court, I'm sleeping in though
Should I get up this morning to go to court to see if our infamous elder abuse case is going anywhere, like to court, or jail or just kept in the news long enough for the election year to pass?
Yawn, stretch. I am tired and if I were to drive an hour or even get another poor soul to drive that hour down the rugged mountain road, to see what is going on with our former CE-CE-O, Pam Ott and her criminal case, and nothing happened; why I'd be unhappy.
I wrote a nice card for Jerry Brown tonight with a cheap, but creative software program; I signed it and everything. (I won't send it until his job is done and even acknowledged here in the valley)
Just as I wrapped up that post, with me blathering on about justice again, a news release dropped into my mailbox.
It's late, but it had something to do with Jerry Brown. And that made me put off going to bed, and reading this article.
Christina Jewett of California Watchdog (I might add a very well written, researched and maintained site, I would recommend over my crappola over here. They are a real watchdog site, with credibility. I'm a writer at the end of my rope, but I'm getting the duct tape out, it's good for everything.) wrote a balanced piece about Jerry Brown's Attorney General track record.
Well, I put my feet back up, because I don't think I'll be riding down to Bakersfield in the morning.
No, need to run again, Steve Muni, assistant AG, who ran like a track star as I approached him last year at the Kern County Superior court. I'm going to be sleeping like a baby because I have a clear conscience unlike yourselves.
You did open a can of worms and I'm beginning to believe the worms aren't just ours here in the valley.
I'll give the court and the TV stations a call when I decide to get up, and we will see what the Attorney General has decided to do on this day, March 9, 2010. Another continuance, an agreement? A bargaining session?
After reading this article, I think we might know which way this is going.
Blog Post
Jerry Brown's
office backs off on elder abuse prosecutions
March 9, 2010
Christina
Jewett
Attorney General
Jerry Brown last week announced his bid for governor, and his office didn’t miss
a beat in issuing press releases about his accomplishments as the state’s top
cop.
But a release
issued yesterday about the money recovered by his office’s Medi-Cal Fraud and
Elder Abuse Unit made no mention of another trend in that unit: It has
backed off on filing elder abuse cases.
I would recommend taking a look at this article as well as others regarding Jerry Brown, as California Watch has it's eyes on him.
I'm sure after what has happened in this mountain community first with the lack of security from the Grand Jury, Kern County DA, Public Health, the DOJ, being literally fooled by a shredder and a CEO who ruled with fear including threatening licenses and terminating jobs, has given us a real lesson in politics.
No, loud voices came out of the clouds either, Pollyanna, to save the day.
It is pathetic, it is yours Jerry Brown, and I'll follow you all the way to the Governor's mansion where you will only be visiting once in a while if I have anything to do with it.
I say get demoted and be an investigator, go back into the field. Or at the very least, you should have visited us here in the Kern River Valley.
I suppose you think you'll get out of this and never look back: think again. I've got one up on you Jerry: you don't have a radio station and as far as I know you don't play basketball...
Good stuff, California watch.
Brown and gang will now be heading over to my election blog, YOUR GOVERNMENT; YOUR PROBLEM: AN OWNER'S MANUAL.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Potable Quotables for $1000 Alex...and Jerry and Diane
Pick a quote
As we approach the next court date in the Kern Valley Healthcare District soap opera, "Specific Hospital" when the new season begins next Tuesday, March 9, nobody here in the valley knows what to expect.
Several mystery pieces to the puzzle should be cleared up. During the end of last season's cliff hanger, former CEO, Ott, who had been given the Martha Stewart treatment as she "came in on her own recognizance" in exchange for respect, no bail necessary, and fashionable clothing rather than an orange jumpsuit.
And Ott's attorney, waved his hand at me dismissing the charges as nothing more than small town gossip. (What do I know)
(I would probably agree that at any other time it was small town gossip, though in this case, it was the gossip that kept Ott's iron's out of the fire, at least until the truth was so damning that even board member, Bob Jamison's now famous attempts at portraying Ott as the "victim" didn't last.)
In Attorney General Jerry Brown's press release that I have on my wall and walk by and give it a kiss each day, there is the paragraph that changed my whole thinking that the AG's office would never "get it" the truth.
Now, we're looking at our watches for March 9, and waiting on the justice. Excerpt from press release DOJ, Feb. 9, 2010.
The first in line for abuse Brown's press release declared, was Mary Louise Wilson, who had a problem setting fires, but nobody died as a consequence of her latent pyromania, as she was a "resident" not an employee or administrator of several nursing homes.
In descending order of elder abuser state gathered "rankings" is the gambler, who couldn't fold them, and began stealing from the elderly to continue her gambling habit. Almost half a million in what? Out of curiosity what might have been at a nursing home that was stolen from residents that could be worth that much?
Usually, there is no jewelry left on, though in certain cases there could be. But what else did she take? Cash laying around is not usually an issue as there is no where to spend it.
Finally, now to Pam Ott, the CEO, nursing home administrator, giving her permission to staff to drug patients in a manner which had not, according to public health records, been done before.
She didn't seem to be looking away and allowing a reportedly highly "irritable" nurse to keep patients quiet so she could think.
Sorry, some of these claims are preposterous. Ott brought in exactly who she thought she needed after getting slammed in the annual inspections for the use of physical restraints and lack of staff leading to patient weight loss and dehydration.
Mary Louise Wilson, got a prison sentence of almost 20 years, for her problem fire bugging the homes she stayed in. And the people were injured and no one was killed.
In Ott's case, I'm wondering about the charges, as the state claims that several people died at KVHD because of the treatments and the lack of proper staffing.
The quotes; the story...
We will soon see what the Department of Justice will do with the case against Ott.
(If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will.
Paul Harvey)
One of the concerns of many people is how the state is able to even understand this case as the cover up was thicker than Maybelline.
(The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
Edward R. Murrow)
This situation at the hospital, did not have to happen, and had there been vigilance or even some oversight it well may never have happened.
(This country has far more problems than it deserves and far more solutions than it applies.
Ralph Nader)
Locally, the problem with communication within two small media outlets who rely on the hospital for advertising dollars, was that the coverage became cloudy, and before people knew what was happening, the dust had settled and kicked up once again.
(Multinational corporations do control. They control the politicians. They control the media. They control the pattern of consumption, entertainment, thinking. They're destroying the planet and laying the foundation for violent outbursts and racial division.
Jerry Brown)
Small communities can certainly contribute to the larger picture, but sometimes there are problems in insular type of places such as the KRV, where instead of kicking out the mediocrity, it seems to have moved to protect it.
(Where there is a sufficient social movement of self-reliant communities, there can be political change. There must be political change.
Jerry Brown)
The media in this local area showed it had a difficult time investigating it's home town story of unfortunate proportion. It had what many outlets have, is the question of the truth versus popularity as well as money.
Then there is the sadder tale of the ABC news and Diane Sawyer coming in three years after the fact, and no facts of import added to the story, no corrections made to the story, and this is what we call "journalism."
(I love the early process of asking questions about a story and deciding which questions matter most. Diane Sawyerism
An investigation, may take six months. A quick interview, profile, a day. Diane Sawyer…)
I think we forget that the role of a local politician is just as important if not more important than those of the distant offices in Sacramento and Washington DC. The local politicians know the people, know the region, the history, and the needs, which makes them important to the growth and vitality.
But if we don't vote in the right people, we get situations such as the one's we are currently dealing with in court.
("Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too." -Richard M. Nixon)
More to come as the next court date approaches where we will likely meet the "quiet one's," attorney's Donald Etra and Allan Ginsburg, who supposedly have taken over the criminal portion of the Dr. Hoshang Pormir case.
As we approach the next court date in the Kern Valley Healthcare District soap opera, "Specific Hospital" when the new season begins next Tuesday, March 9, nobody here in the valley knows what to expect.
Several mystery pieces to the puzzle should be cleared up. During the end of last season's cliff hanger, former CEO, Ott, who had been given the Martha Stewart treatment as she "came in on her own recognizance" in exchange for respect, no bail necessary, and fashionable clothing rather than an orange jumpsuit.
And Ott's attorney, waved his hand at me dismissing the charges as nothing more than small town gossip. (What do I know)
(I would probably agree that at any other time it was small town gossip, though in this case, it was the gossip that kept Ott's iron's out of the fire, at least until the truth was so damning that even board member, Bob Jamison's now famous attempts at portraying Ott as the "victim" didn't last.)
In Attorney General Jerry Brown's press release that I have on my wall and walk by and give it a kiss each day, there is the paragraph that changed my whole thinking that the AG's office would never "get it" the truth.
Now, we're looking at our watches for March 9, and waiting on the justice. Excerpt from press release DOJ, Feb. 9, 2010.
In addition to today's court victory, BMFEA has investigated and prosecuted
several other notable elder abuse cases in the past year. Late last year in
Sacramento, Maria Elna Flora pleaded guilty to 12 counts of grand theft and
burglary for stealing $435,100 from retirees to fund a daily gambling habit.
In
September 2009, Brown filed charges against Pamela Ott, a Kern Valley
Hospital
administrator, for allowing staff to forcibly administer
psychotropic
medications to patients to sedate them for the staff's
convenience. The case is
pending in Kern County Superior Court.
The first in line for abuse Brown's press release declared, was Mary Louise Wilson, who had a problem setting fires, but nobody died as a consequence of her latent pyromania, as she was a "resident" not an employee or administrator of several nursing homes.
In descending order of elder abuser state gathered "rankings" is the gambler, who couldn't fold them, and began stealing from the elderly to continue her gambling habit. Almost half a million in what? Out of curiosity what might have been at a nursing home that was stolen from residents that could be worth that much?
Usually, there is no jewelry left on, though in certain cases there could be. But what else did she take? Cash laying around is not usually an issue as there is no where to spend it.
Finally, now to Pam Ott, the CEO, nursing home administrator, giving her permission to staff to drug patients in a manner which had not, according to public health records, been done before.
She didn't seem to be looking away and allowing a reportedly highly "irritable" nurse to keep patients quiet so she could think.
Sorry, some of these claims are preposterous. Ott brought in exactly who she thought she needed after getting slammed in the annual inspections for the use of physical restraints and lack of staff leading to patient weight loss and dehydration.
Mary Louise Wilson, got a prison sentence of almost 20 years, for her problem fire bugging the homes she stayed in. And the people were injured and no one was killed.
In Ott's case, I'm wondering about the charges, as the state claims that several people died at KVHD because of the treatments and the lack of proper staffing.
The quotes; the story...
We will soon see what the Department of Justice will do with the case against Ott.
(If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will.
Paul Harvey)
One of the concerns of many people is how the state is able to even understand this case as the cover up was thicker than Maybelline.
(The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
Edward R. Murrow)
This situation at the hospital, did not have to happen, and had there been vigilance or even some oversight it well may never have happened.
(This country has far more problems than it deserves and far more solutions than it applies.
Ralph Nader)
Locally, the problem with communication within two small media outlets who rely on the hospital for advertising dollars, was that the coverage became cloudy, and before people knew what was happening, the dust had settled and kicked up once again.
(Multinational corporations do control. They control the politicians. They control the media. They control the pattern of consumption, entertainment, thinking. They're destroying the planet and laying the foundation for violent outbursts and racial division.
Jerry Brown)
Small communities can certainly contribute to the larger picture, but sometimes there are problems in insular type of places such as the KRV, where instead of kicking out the mediocrity, it seems to have moved to protect it.
(Where there is a sufficient social movement of self-reliant communities, there can be political change. There must be political change.
Jerry Brown)
The media in this local area showed it had a difficult time investigating it's home town story of unfortunate proportion. It had what many outlets have, is the question of the truth versus popularity as well as money.
Then there is the sadder tale of the ABC news and Diane Sawyer coming in three years after the fact, and no facts of import added to the story, no corrections made to the story, and this is what we call "journalism."
(I love the early process of asking questions about a story and deciding which questions matter most. Diane Sawyerism
An investigation, may take six months. A quick interview, profile, a day. Diane Sawyer…)
I think we forget that the role of a local politician is just as important if not more important than those of the distant offices in Sacramento and Washington DC. The local politicians know the people, know the region, the history, and the needs, which makes them important to the growth and vitality.
But if we don't vote in the right people, we get situations such as the one's we are currently dealing with in court.
("Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too." -Richard M. Nixon)
More to come as the next court date approaches where we will likely meet the "quiet one's," attorney's Donald Etra and Allan Ginsburg, who supposedly have taken over the criminal portion of the Dr. Hoshang Pormir case.
All aboard! The KVHD monthly March meeting preview, let's call it: "we're still here"
A reminder for today, if you happen to have some time this evening to find out what is happening at the Kern Valley Healthcare District, why it's the monthly meeting at 5:30 pm in the hospital cafeteria.
Every month that there is still a meeting means the hospital is still in business, so it's a good thing, the patient is still breathing.
The gossip mills have had a busy week spinning the recent departure or actually ticket still in hand, KVHD, CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, and it's doubtful that we will be allowed an answer that is remotely accurate, but you never know.
Not sure if we will be seeing CEO Tim McGlew as there is a rural health symposium this week he will be attending in Sacramento. Hope to see him soon and find out what he learned from the event dedicated to the issues of rural facilities such as our district.
Bob Jamison, who went missing from small claims court last week where I had hoped we could get some answers from the broadcaster who prefers to hide behind a microphone than to publicly address an issue in the forum it was meant to be used: the board meeting.
I should expect to be able to get good clean answers from people who are "serving" the interests of the community. All of us should.
Sad though that we can't. I haven't been able to get what is needed so that justice can be served, healing can begin. It sure was not an easy goal, and seemed much easier than it has turned out to be.
But what drives me is the example of owning our government. This call for grassroots politics is admirable and has had a desired effect in certain cases, but in others such as what has happened here in the Kern River Valley; complete loss of control and ethical behavior.
In my mind it's now about seeing to what degree, exactly how much time, effort, money, how many people it will take to change these things.
So, it's a March meeting, climb aboard and see the world of local healthcare, tonight at the KVHD hospital in the cafeteria at 5pm.
The public is allowed to speak before the meetings and to ask questions of the material discussed during the meeting. If there are particular issues I suggest that they be addressed at the opening of the meeting.
Every month that there is still a meeting means the hospital is still in business, so it's a good thing, the patient is still breathing.
The gossip mills have had a busy week spinning the recent departure or actually ticket still in hand, KVHD, CCO, Cynthia Burciaga, and it's doubtful that we will be allowed an answer that is remotely accurate, but you never know.
Not sure if we will be seeing CEO Tim McGlew as there is a rural health symposium this week he will be attending in Sacramento. Hope to see him soon and find out what he learned from the event dedicated to the issues of rural facilities such as our district.
Bob Jamison, who went missing from small claims court last week where I had hoped we could get some answers from the broadcaster who prefers to hide behind a microphone than to publicly address an issue in the forum it was meant to be used: the board meeting.
I should expect to be able to get good clean answers from people who are "serving" the interests of the community. All of us should.
Sad though that we can't. I haven't been able to get what is needed so that justice can be served, healing can begin. It sure was not an easy goal, and seemed much easier than it has turned out to be.
But what drives me is the example of owning our government. This call for grassroots politics is admirable and has had a desired effect in certain cases, but in others such as what has happened here in the Kern River Valley; complete loss of control and ethical behavior.
In my mind it's now about seeing to what degree, exactly how much time, effort, money, how many people it will take to change these things.
So, it's a March meeting, climb aboard and see the world of local healthcare, tonight at the KVHD hospital in the cafeteria at 5pm.
The public is allowed to speak before the meetings and to ask questions of the material discussed during the meeting. If there are particular issues I suggest that they be addressed at the opening of the meeting.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Rumor true: Kern Valley Healthcare District CCO, Cynthia Burciaga resigns under strange circumstances
KVHD CCO did she want to go?
Pictured below, Cynthia Burciaga, at last month's board meeting giving the community the bad news that the hospital needs money and has to have money to continue operations and services to the community.
Burciaga, has been giving reports to the community since she began her job with the district last year, hired on by former CEO, Rick Carter. The CCO and the current CEO were hired around the same time, but were not brought on together.
However, it always appeared that the new CEO, Tim McGlew, and Burciaga, were a working unit, as McGlew constantly lauded the CCO with praise thanking her for her hard work in the skilled nursing facility and allowing her extended reports about difficult subjects such as the pharmacy situation. Burciaga gave detailed reports on staffing, her involvement with the pharmacy, and introduced us to a new Director of Nursing for the nursing facility, who lasted less than two months in the position.
What is happening at KVHD human resources?
And what happened that a CCO, who has been praised by both the CEO and CFO, Chet Beedle, as doing a great job changing the systems, and being available to work as a nurse in the nursing center, when there is a shortage?
Information has come in which needs to be researched regarding other matters related to the hospital, but right now there are more questions than answers involving the circumstances surrounding the departure of Burciaga.
Some witnesses to an event have told me there may have just been a misunderstanding that could have been resolved with the hospital's "open door policy." The open door policy implies that employees can come forward with problems straight to the CEO, without any prejudice, but more of mediation. As to the validity of this claim, we will have to find out.
I'm sure the administration will give us the whole story soon.
In the picture below, Burciaga introduces the new Director of Nursing last year who was employed less than a couple of months, and of course, because of "privacy" restrictions on the information of employees, no explanation was given for his short stay at KVHD.
Then when I questioned the short duration of employment, and asked about a replacement, I was told, that Burciaga was now the Director of Nursing too with an assistant in the SNF. So, both CCO, DON, and messenger to the community, it would seem the hospital lost several employees in one.
Burciaga who sits next to Controller, Barbara Figeuroa at the board meetings, will be absent from her regular spot at the meetings, and I'm sure we will be updated (well, I'm not sure, but I hope the community will be informed properly) as to the process of replacing the multipurpose nurse, and if there will be a CCO and DON or how this will now be organized.
Though rumors abound, we have solid information that a resignation was submitted, then rescinded, and finally a decision by the CEO, will likely lead to the departure of the CCO. As soon as we get complete information on this, I will report.
The Kern Valley Healthcare Board of Directors will have their monthly meeting this week, Wed. March 3, at 5:30 pm in the hospital cafeteria.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Updates for the Kern River Valley...Cal Water rate hike, animal shelter, "Tales of the KRV"
It's a tasteless thing to do as all utilities prices have "isn't it smart of us to charge you more" meter mentality, with electric bills taking care of local complaints about "dark skies" at night, and now the water company needs to clean it up.
The Public Utilities commission will be holding a public meeting, taking down complaints and issues for the record, as they decide whether to grant Cal Water it's almost 17% raise this year, with a couple more raises over the next two years based on inflation and other issues I'm sure we will hear all about.
As we remember from the last two meetings put on by Cal Water to begin the quest for understanding.
I wouldn't want to be Cal Water right now asking for this. I'd rather be the hospital asking for 25 million. No, I'd rather be the Governor asking for severe cuts in education and healthcare.
I know who I don't want to be: anywhere near the poverty level as there is a vortex pulling at everyone's wallets, savings accounts, and sometimes in cases I'm hearing about, food money.
So, it is time to voice your complaints, honestly, it probably won't do much good, as the PUC has been very liberal with the handouts to companies who still are paying dividends to their stockholders.
We do have problems with the water here, no doubt, it's disgusting, I cannot drink it. My sister hates to visit because of what it does to her hair. My friends thought when they came to visit they would get clean, clear mountain water. Yeah, but from another mountain.
Here's a small list of problems you will hear about tomorrow night, Thursday, February 18, at 7 pm, in Kernville at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce.
Chlorine, we have too much it's eating up filters.
Uranium, it's a real stumper, but it's natural.
Arsenic, that was related to the last rate hike as the EPA lowered the levels.
Fluoride, a questionable but natural ingredient which is poisonous.
Again, we are going to have to be a community who speaks up or dries up and blows away. Hope to see you there.
Your animal shelter and you
The Southlake Animal Shelter has some puppies running amok along with some loving older dogs who can sure use a home. Go to the KRV Pet Corner and take a look at some of the critters available.
There are animals going for $10 as the shelter is always putting the animals first.
The KRV Pet Corner will begin taking pictures of animals that are lost, abandoned, in need, and we will post these on the site for free. We will network with other sites to help bring pets back home or find new homes for them.
I still haven't decided on my new dog. I guess the two mourners that we are, my Boxer Walter and I, are waiting for the right time.
More details on the upgrades for the Animal Shelter as the thoughts are for keeping pets in a place that people can see them behave in a more natural outdoor environment, rather than the din of the dogs in the smaller cages.
Introducing (stage left) "Tales of the Kern River Valley."
It's news, but it's entertainment, and it all emanates from this valley. The stories will be news, but don't forget there is a story in everything.
Yes, investigative journalism, will be on the menu, but we will focus on the talent of the valley, as there is a plethora of artists of various kinds hiding out up here who have decided to come out of the woodwork and let us into their creative minds.
And this will be a venture for the young and young at heart. Teenagers have their own perspective on this valley and what it needs to be a place to stay and not make it a hangout for thugs, neo-nazi's, hatemongers of any sort, but for expression of the things that cause such extreme reactions.
Teenagers have their own language, what it is, is what we can learn from the youth.
And of course, politics is always fun and most especially this year I might say. We, the people of this valley, may have to look at a different way of governing our little piece of the mountain.
We have about every government agency on hand here to drag us down to a low level economy, but that can change when there are those who are willing to go up against those who cannot see the future, or have no vested interest in a good future for all involved.
Coming soon.
The Public Utilities commission will be holding a public meeting, taking down complaints and issues for the record, as they decide whether to grant Cal Water it's almost 17% raise this year, with a couple more raises over the next two years based on inflation and other issues I'm sure we will hear all about.
As we remember from the last two meetings put on by Cal Water to begin the quest for understanding.
I wouldn't want to be Cal Water right now asking for this. I'd rather be the hospital asking for 25 million. No, I'd rather be the Governor asking for severe cuts in education and healthcare.
I know who I don't want to be: anywhere near the poverty level as there is a vortex pulling at everyone's wallets, savings accounts, and sometimes in cases I'm hearing about, food money.
So, it is time to voice your complaints, honestly, it probably won't do much good, as the PUC has been very liberal with the handouts to companies who still are paying dividends to their stockholders.
We do have problems with the water here, no doubt, it's disgusting, I cannot drink it. My sister hates to visit because of what it does to her hair. My friends thought when they came to visit they would get clean, clear mountain water. Yeah, but from another mountain.
Here's a small list of problems you will hear about tomorrow night, Thursday, February 18, at 7 pm, in Kernville at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce.
Chlorine, we have too much it's eating up filters.
Uranium, it's a real stumper, but it's natural.
Arsenic, that was related to the last rate hike as the EPA lowered the levels.
Fluoride, a questionable but natural ingredient which is poisonous.
Again, we are going to have to be a community who speaks up or dries up and blows away. Hope to see you there.
Your animal shelter and you
The Southlake Animal Shelter has some puppies running amok along with some loving older dogs who can sure use a home. Go to the KRV Pet Corner and take a look at some of the critters available.
There are animals going for $10 as the shelter is always putting the animals first.
The KRV Pet Corner will begin taking pictures of animals that are lost, abandoned, in need, and we will post these on the site for free. We will network with other sites to help bring pets back home or find new homes for them.
I still haven't decided on my new dog. I guess the two mourners that we are, my Boxer Walter and I, are waiting for the right time.
More details on the upgrades for the Animal Shelter as the thoughts are for keeping pets in a place that people can see them behave in a more natural outdoor environment, rather than the din of the dogs in the smaller cages.
Introducing (stage left) "Tales of the Kern River Valley."
It's news, but it's entertainment, and it all emanates from this valley. The stories will be news, but don't forget there is a story in everything.
Yes, investigative journalism, will be on the menu, but we will focus on the talent of the valley, as there is a plethora of artists of various kinds hiding out up here who have decided to come out of the woodwork and let us into their creative minds.
And this will be a venture for the young and young at heart. Teenagers have their own perspective on this valley and what it needs to be a place to stay and not make it a hangout for thugs, neo-nazi's, hatemongers of any sort, but for expression of the things that cause such extreme reactions.
Teenagers have their own language, what it is, is what we can learn from the youth.
And of course, politics is always fun and most especially this year I might say. We, the people of this valley, may have to look at a different way of governing our little piece of the mountain.
We have about every government agency on hand here to drag us down to a low level economy, but that can change when there are those who are willing to go up against those who cannot see the future, or have no vested interest in a good future for all involved.
Coming soon.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
They're just like twins, except one is nattily dressed and the other can't afford a diaper: Sierra Kings in Reedley CA
It Swings at Sierra Kings...
I must say I do enjoy reading the Reedley Exponent, a small town "news" paper with a little bite left in it. (internet newspaper, which I like)
Of course, readers of this blog have come to know Reedley and Sierra Kings District Hospital as the hide out for elder abuse charged, former, local CEO, Pamela Ott.
After Ott hit the road in 2007, skidding out of the way of the SWAT team on it's way into our beloved Kern Valley Healthcare District, attempting a rescue or an investigation, but Ott got up the road a ways to Sierra Kings in Reedley.
Still noted in state Department of Justice criminal charges as a witness, Ott, stayed on at Sierra Kings, utilizing the same architects we saw here at KVHD, Aspen Street.
Aspen Street which never lifted a piece of lumber onto our hallowed grounds in the Kern River Valley, managed to put together some architecture for the people of Reedley, who recently toured the new addition.
However, Aspen Street hasn't been so lucky in it's old home of Tehachapi, where the last this reporter heard, there were tiny footfalls of attorneys about. But I did also hear from a legal type here at KVHD, that Aspen has been doing work for the military.
(The sound you heard was me laughing. More on the Aspen street military projects and the Tehachapi problems.)
So, Ott caught up with Aspen at Sierra and prior to her sudden departure last June when the Attorney General's office charged her with elder abuse, Sierra Kings was on it's way down, to bankruptcy.
And now so are we
After hearing about the hospital's financial stability in 2006, the skilled nursing facilities wonderful and humane services, the new services just waiting to be born at KVHD, it's an amazing downhill slide to see a business so important to the community take this nosedive.
But as I've explained the nosedive occurred twenty five years ago when the hospital went into debt. After the debt and the mangled construction project, there was no where to go but down.
At last months' Kern Valley Healthcare District's board meeting, I asked the financial manager, who has finally admitted to the fact that the hospital has not been properly billing for many years thus decreasing actual intake versus projected monies, why a bill for little more than eight dollars was sent out?
He said we need every dime we can get.
However, the CEO, Tim McGlew, absent from last month's finance committee meeting as well as the Feb. board meeting, did address that issue saying it is not necessarily the strategy to take as it costs more to try and bring in that small amount of money.
I always feel thankful when some reason appears on the scene at the hospital.
However, the financial situation is getting to the point of making all of us nervous. Chet Beedle told us again we would not be able to pay the August payment to Cal Mtg., the state insurer of the district's revenue bonds, and therefore the future is anything but assured.
Now, we look at our twin, I'm calling it that just to be funny, but it is odd about Ott. Anyway, they have been roiling with debt, eaten up by cutbacks, just like any other rural community hospital, it's tough out there.
But they brought in a consultant firm straight off the ACHD site HFS Consultants (Association of California Healthcare Districts, an advocacy group for rural hospitals) and an interim, CEO, Sandy Haskins, who has been doing a similar backtracking of the billing issues there.
According to the Reedley Exponent, the hospital is going back several years and offering a deal to reduce the debt by 40% if it is paid off within a month. Haskins doesn't expect to get back all the monies owed, therefore, the option is making it easier for the consumer to pay off the debt rather than write it off, keep their credit standing, and the hospital will then be able to show some cash towards it's efforts.
They are also sending out three mailing attempts to get the deal going, but they may have problems with the age of the debt, as the older they are, people have changed situations. And people probably have accrued others during this time as well.
But it's an attempt at getting money in the coffers of that hospital and fast.
They called a special meeting to make a report
And what makes it even more interesting was how Sierra Kings or actually HFS handled the situation by communicating with it's active and interested public.
They had a special meeting and gave a report of the "plan" taking place and where it was at and where it was expected to go.
That feels like bliss to me. Hospital districts offering information. I have requests into KVHD that go back three or four months. I don't complain, I collect and record. What else can I do? Barge through the doors with a hand held copier and bottle of mace?
And then there's the reporting on "non labor" expenses and supplies. Here at KVHD we talk about "variable" expenses which very much include labor and the ability to maintain it. Not having that much more luck than we used to.
I know, I hear the propaganda too, but there is still a problem with staffing at the hospital and now, the lives and paychecks of pharmacy employees have been altered too.
There's nothing like knowing jobs with retirement are on the decrease, and rarely turn out that way.
Chet Beedle the financial manager who likes to talk about and in volume, is looking to retire from KVHD.
So, were nurses and other employees I have known throughout the years looking forward to the phantom retirement plan.
We have yet to have a special meeting and talk about these collection and staffing matters. KVHD has been remiss in it's communication as it is having it's own problems understanding why the ice cream cone is melting.
We need to ask Chet Beedle. We need to ask two members of the board, and then we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to pay it forward for this hospital in the form of property or sales taxes.
They seem to be studying
Over at the well dressed Reedley hospital, the special meeting pointed out potential savings, not a lot, but enough, 150 thousand eventually. That is a lot and can be used for other purposes.
Now here at KVHD, we squandered half that money, 60K on a public relations firm which did nothing except end a contract with sixty thousand more than they started.
We have squandered our money. The records are lousy with terrible ideas which never came to fruition. And good ideas which didn't come to fruition either.
But it's the attitude I like about what is happening at Sierra Kings, they are including the community. They know they have something very important in that hospital, with it's new wing, that they need to walk carefully in these dark economic times.
KVHD is a cesspool of mismanagement to this day. Yes, there have been improvements in many areas. But it's the idea that we are hounding people for $8, when we should do a mailing or something like that to get people back in the system, paying again.
Might start with calling charity care, by another name. That won't fly. All government agencies need to get it, people, by and large want to work, but they need help to get there sometimes. If there are interim programs people will be more willing to sign up for that rather than, a your so poor you qualify for a Ukranian insurance policy.
Collections, taxes, general obligation bonds, these are the buzz words of your future KRV. Get to the meetings, get on the internet and research, and let's keep this hospital open and going.
Our elder abuse past will soon be behind us, maybe even next month, if the right plea deals are handed out and the cuffs are unlocked from the others who don't deserve them. The civil cases will get settled sooner and that will no longer play with Diane Sawyer on ABC "Where in the World did you get that news from" again.
Those who think this valley is going to stay around with inaction on the part of the community will be surprised how quickly things sink in quick sand or roll down hill. Think fast....here it comes.
I must say I do enjoy reading the Reedley Exponent, a small town "news" paper with a little bite left in it. (internet newspaper, which I like)
Of course, readers of this blog have come to know Reedley and Sierra Kings District Hospital as the hide out for elder abuse charged, former, local CEO, Pamela Ott.
After Ott hit the road in 2007, skidding out of the way of the SWAT team on it's way into our beloved Kern Valley Healthcare District, attempting a rescue or an investigation, but Ott got up the road a ways to Sierra Kings in Reedley.
Still noted in state Department of Justice criminal charges as a witness, Ott, stayed on at Sierra Kings, utilizing the same architects we saw here at KVHD, Aspen Street.
Aspen Street which never lifted a piece of lumber onto our hallowed grounds in the Kern River Valley, managed to put together some architecture for the people of Reedley, who recently toured the new addition.
However, Aspen Street hasn't been so lucky in it's old home of Tehachapi, where the last this reporter heard, there were tiny footfalls of attorneys about. But I did also hear from a legal type here at KVHD, that Aspen has been doing work for the military.
(The sound you heard was me laughing. More on the Aspen street military projects and the Tehachapi problems.)
So, Ott caught up with Aspen at Sierra and prior to her sudden departure last June when the Attorney General's office charged her with elder abuse, Sierra Kings was on it's way down, to bankruptcy.
And now so are we
After hearing about the hospital's financial stability in 2006, the skilled nursing facilities wonderful and humane services, the new services just waiting to be born at KVHD, it's an amazing downhill slide to see a business so important to the community take this nosedive.
But as I've explained the nosedive occurred twenty five years ago when the hospital went into debt. After the debt and the mangled construction project, there was no where to go but down.
At last months' Kern Valley Healthcare District's board meeting, I asked the financial manager, who has finally admitted to the fact that the hospital has not been properly billing for many years thus decreasing actual intake versus projected monies, why a bill for little more than eight dollars was sent out?
He said we need every dime we can get.
However, the CEO, Tim McGlew, absent from last month's finance committee meeting as well as the Feb. board meeting, did address that issue saying it is not necessarily the strategy to take as it costs more to try and bring in that small amount of money.
I always feel thankful when some reason appears on the scene at the hospital.
However, the financial situation is getting to the point of making all of us nervous. Chet Beedle told us again we would not be able to pay the August payment to Cal Mtg., the state insurer of the district's revenue bonds, and therefore the future is anything but assured.
Now, we look at our twin, I'm calling it that just to be funny, but it is odd about Ott. Anyway, they have been roiling with debt, eaten up by cutbacks, just like any other rural community hospital, it's tough out there.
But they brought in a consultant firm straight off the ACHD site HFS Consultants (Association of California Healthcare Districts, an advocacy group for rural hospitals) and an interim, CEO, Sandy Haskins, who has been doing a similar backtracking of the billing issues there.
According to the Reedley Exponent, the hospital is going back several years and offering a deal to reduce the debt by 40% if it is paid off within a month. Haskins doesn't expect to get back all the monies owed, therefore, the option is making it easier for the consumer to pay off the debt rather than write it off, keep their credit standing, and the hospital will then be able to show some cash towards it's efforts.
They are also sending out three mailing attempts to get the deal going, but they may have problems with the age of the debt, as the older they are, people have changed situations. And people probably have accrued others during this time as well.
But it's an attempt at getting money in the coffers of that hospital and fast.
They called a special meeting to make a report
And what makes it even more interesting was how Sierra Kings or actually HFS handled the situation by communicating with it's active and interested public.
They had a special meeting and gave a report of the "plan" taking place and where it was at and where it was expected to go.
That feels like bliss to me. Hospital districts offering information. I have requests into KVHD that go back three or four months. I don't complain, I collect and record. What else can I do? Barge through the doors with a hand held copier and bottle of mace?
And then there's the reporting on "non labor" expenses and supplies. Here at KVHD we talk about "variable" expenses which very much include labor and the ability to maintain it. Not having that much more luck than we used to.
I know, I hear the propaganda too, but there is still a problem with staffing at the hospital and now, the lives and paychecks of pharmacy employees have been altered too.
There's nothing like knowing jobs with retirement are on the decrease, and rarely turn out that way.
Chet Beedle the financial manager who likes to talk about and in volume, is looking to retire from KVHD.
So, were nurses and other employees I have known throughout the years looking forward to the phantom retirement plan.
We have yet to have a special meeting and talk about these collection and staffing matters. KVHD has been remiss in it's communication as it is having it's own problems understanding why the ice cream cone is melting.
We need to ask Chet Beedle. We need to ask two members of the board, and then we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to pay it forward for this hospital in the form of property or sales taxes.
They seem to be studying
Over at the well dressed Reedley hospital, the special meeting pointed out potential savings, not a lot, but enough, 150 thousand eventually. That is a lot and can be used for other purposes.
Now here at KVHD, we squandered half that money, 60K on a public relations firm which did nothing except end a contract with sixty thousand more than they started.
We have squandered our money. The records are lousy with terrible ideas which never came to fruition. And good ideas which didn't come to fruition either.
But it's the attitude I like about what is happening at Sierra Kings, they are including the community. They know they have something very important in that hospital, with it's new wing, that they need to walk carefully in these dark economic times.
KVHD is a cesspool of mismanagement to this day. Yes, there have been improvements in many areas. But it's the idea that we are hounding people for $8, when we should do a mailing or something like that to get people back in the system, paying again.
Might start with calling charity care, by another name. That won't fly. All government agencies need to get it, people, by and large want to work, but they need help to get there sometimes. If there are interim programs people will be more willing to sign up for that rather than, a your so poor you qualify for a Ukranian insurance policy.
Collections, taxes, general obligation bonds, these are the buzz words of your future KRV. Get to the meetings, get on the internet and research, and let's keep this hospital open and going.
Our elder abuse past will soon be behind us, maybe even next month, if the right plea deals are handed out and the cuffs are unlocked from the others who don't deserve them. The civil cases will get settled sooner and that will no longer play with Diane Sawyer on ABC "Where in the World did you get that news from" again.
Those who think this valley is going to stay around with inaction on the part of the community will be surprised how quickly things sink in quick sand or roll down hill. Think fast....here it comes.
Monday, February 8, 2010
know when to hold them, no when to leapfrog them
I've been experimenting with different things on the computer, different links, alerts, feeds and so on, and I came across an alert about the Kern Valley Healthcare District. I'm not really good at any of this, that's why I keep trying, but I noticed there was a site called "leapfrog" which gave a rating to hospitals.
Two hospitals we know of didn't answer the rating request and therefore were not included in the overall data base.
Those two hospitals known to us as the Kern Valley Healthcare District and the Sierra Kings Healthcare District, both former employers of Pamela Ott, CEO, now charged in an elder abuse scandal at KVHD.
She recently was cited as allowing employees to sedate patients for "staff convenience" which we are still trying to figure out what that actually means but someday I hope to know.
But what I found interesting on this site, which I will give you the link to look at yourself, was the statistic about safety.
If that statistic is accurate or in context, it's scary to think that it's safer to be away from preventable medical mistakes which outnumber annual deaths due to car accidents, breast cancer and AIDs, at the time, they put the report as made in 1999.
I imagine those figures are out of date and of whack, but it goes to show that there are heavy prices to be paid from errors at hospitals, clinics, nursing centers, operating rooms, even simple tests.
KVHD is not in here, but it's one of many ways of looking at a hospital and deciding whether to go there or not, or whether a nursing home is as good as it looks. Using tools such as these could help steer you or a loved one out of potential mediocre or possibly dangerous situation.
No other options here.
But we have no other option here in the KRV and until we make a serious change in the name of quality, there will be fewer older people coming here to retire. And likely the hospital will go too.
http://www.leapfroggroup.org/about_us
Two hospitals we know of didn't answer the rating request and therefore were not included in the overall data base.
Those two hospitals known to us as the Kern Valley Healthcare District and the Sierra Kings Healthcare District, both former employers of Pamela Ott, CEO, now charged in an elder abuse scandal at KVHD.
She recently was cited as allowing employees to sedate patients for "staff convenience" which we are still trying to figure out what that actually means but someday I hope to know.
But what I found interesting on this site, which I will give you the link to look at yourself, was the statistic about safety.
If that statistic is accurate or in context, it's scary to think that it's safer to be away from preventable medical mistakes which outnumber annual deaths due to car accidents, breast cancer and AIDs, at the time, they put the report as made in 1999.
I imagine those figures are out of date and of whack, but it goes to show that there are heavy prices to be paid from errors at hospitals, clinics, nursing centers, operating rooms, even simple tests.
KVHD is not in here, but it's one of many ways of looking at a hospital and deciding whether to go there or not, or whether a nursing home is as good as it looks. Using tools such as these could help steer you or a loved one out of potential mediocre or possibly dangerous situation.
No other options here.
But we have no other option here in the KRV and until we make a serious change in the name of quality, there will be fewer older people coming here to retire. And likely the hospital will go too.
http://www.leapfroggroup.org/about_us
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Small Clams case continued to Wed. Feb. 10th at 3 pm, "The media monopoly vs. the freelance writer"
Can Small "Clams" Court finally clam them up?
Our cases were to be heard on Feb. 3, but there were a lot of cases in the small claims courthouse in Lake Isabella yesterday, and our media "fest" was held back until next week.
Which actually worked out well.
The crowd was there, Sun publisher, Marsha Smith, a bag full of court goodies, and Editor Cathy Perfect, chattering away with her superior about some community member, or as they call it in the midwest, gossip.
Susan Barr, the Sun writer, known for her quips and jabs (in her emails to me anyway), wrote a heavenly story regarding the prayer I was given the task to do at the Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting.
Barr found news in the fact that I pray, but described in her opinion, an uncomfortable audience, which is disputed by several people who attended.
Cheap shot? Very. Dollar store shot, not even a "Home Mart" shot.
Could it be you next whom the writer's and editors at the only local "news" paper don't like or disagree with and use their podium to answer back at you, with a population likely believing them since you have no outlet yourself from which to defend against a reporter's attack.
Yes, it could be you, and it has been too many people in this valley and that is why I'm doing this court case, as small as it is, but the only way I could get into our courts.
No, this isn't a big money maker
There's no real money to be had, I will not be a millionaire at the end of the case.
But I will be redeemed that I took my issues to what I expect to be a fair hearing, will tell my side of the story, stick to the truth, and allow a judge who seemed quite fair, to listen to my complaint.
I didn't have eight babies or a steaming hot cup of coffee land in my lap, but what did happen is that I watched in horror as two outlets which report news, not only attack in a sneaky way myself, but hid important news and safety facts regarding the hospital, to the community, employees at the hospital (who came to the newspaper for help), and this recklessness simply had to be stopped in whatever way possible.
And small claims turned out to be the most viable.
Who is so insecure that they would knowingly print or post as is the case of the threat on the Kern Valley Sun blog site, a threat against someone when they could easily have overlooked that? They do it all the time. They don't post every comment.
They could have listened when I told them I had a police report filed because of the gun toting punk, and then the filed another police report when the KV Sun refused to take down the threat, but they played games which would make anyone nervous.
Would you appreciate the KV Sun putting up a threat on their blog site against you while you're in the middle of an investigation of the healthcare district, had a gun pointed at you, or would you be a little nervous every time you turned your doorknob as you came home?
No class, no thought behind any of this. That is why I choose not to play evil games but instead try to use the system that has been given to us in this country to settle such matters.
The issue between the KV Sun and I started three years ago as I asked that they not spread rumors about me, that if there are inquiries as to my status working there, they can say what they wanted, but not ridiculous games.
I went to the manager with my complaints and found out through a few sources that nothing had ended, the nonsense was on.
And I've tried to deal with both QAB and the Sun, asking for some mercy, that they leave me alone to do what I have to do in regard to the hospital, but it seems there is no mercy. More on this.
Finally met owner of QAB
Anthony Bohn, listed as the owner of QAB media LLC, someone I have never met, but was glad to yesterday, as now I know what or I should say, who, I'm really up against.
Mr. Bohn, noticed me immediately as I came through the crowded courtroom waiting area, where people were lined up to be heard, including myself, KV Sun and QAB.
Bohn, posted close to the door, asked immediately if I was Laura Hart, which impressed me for a moment, he did his homework, and could recognize me.
Bob Jamison was on hand, his mood seemed dim, he didn't approach me, until waved to come over by "boss" (this seems to be a bit contentious as Jamison shared a different relationship about his boss in an email, claiming control over the station due to his expertise in the engineering).
As Marsha Smith, Anthony Bohn and Bob Jamison were instructed by the bailiff to exchange information, I noticed several things about each of the defendants.
Smith, was not much for gabbing to me, but handed me my folder, and said, "I've already seen all this." I guess she feels safe now.
Then Mr. Bohn asked questions about the contents of my packet of paperwork, pictures, and blogs by Mr. Jamison, and several sexual emails with overtones regarding my potential employment at the radio stations.
Bohn said Jamison doesn't do the hiring, he does. Well, would that not make my point even sharper? It was a game Jamison was playing then, Mr. Bohn?
But anyway, in some of the articles I have read on QAB, there have been erroneous news reported regarding the hospital.
When I mentioned this to Mr. Bohn, he said they are not investigative journalists, which was never in question, but again I told him, you are a news outlet whom people rely on for truth.
He was quite warm, when he told me, there are radio stations for sale up here, you just need a "big check." (Yeah, thanks, that helps)
Or you have options like the media taking their responsibilities seriously or even possibly caring that people are informed. (But this whole thing has given me an idea for a satire which might be quite funny.)
Bohn said he's in the advertising business, (which will be addressed in the KV Sun case as that directly relates to the coverage of the hospital) the answer is a "yes" but, you still have responsibility to those who listen are asked to take you seriously. I'm sure the ABC radio news feed doesn't consider their news portion of the programming to be taken lightly.
Nobody is saying Mr. Bohn or his employees have to work for free, but there has to be some balance, is it just money, or can it be for both? If you can't put out a decent product and make enough money, then maybe...?
A final note: Mr. Bohn made a point of saying to me that Bob Jamison, KVHD board member, and Bob Jamison, engineer, broadcaster, and radiojock, are not the same person. One does one thing and the other does another.
ABSOLUTELY!
Except, Mr. Jamison has been taking the agenda of the hospital to the radio station and spilling out over the airwaves, and here's the answer to your question Mr. Bohn, with the obvious permission of the owner of the station.
Otherwise, it would have been stopped long ago.
I told Mr. Bohn it was nice to meet him after all this time, as we have tried many times to get messages to him, and until it came in the form of a court service, we were never even looked at, no phone calls, no attempt at contract.
Others called too: and it's a week away, but I think we should make this stand together and end this once and for all.
The hospital has other problems which we will be discussing, and we need to get rid of the poison which is still killing the reputation of the hospital.
Reputation=money
Nobody goes to a hospital where the locals recommend you stay away from. And it's rare if you have bad food and salmonella, that you will get a big lunch crowd, even if it wasn't your fault, your business served the lettuce.
So, the players are lined up, and the case will hit the deck as first up to bat on Wed. Feb. 10th at 3 pm in lake Isabella is our case.
If you feel that QAB was remiss in allowing elder abuse charged, former CEO, Pam Ott, to spend an hour of airtime defending herself with what appear to be bold faced lies, then maybe you have a case as well.
Sometimes it's not about winning a bunch of money to make your case: sometimes it's just a willingness to believe in the truth and set an example for those who want to make changes, better ones, for your family, your community, your country and eventually the world.
Too Pollyanna for you? Or is everyone too weak to take on the difficult tasks?
http://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/
Kern Valley Sun case # K1502-cs-4620
QAB media LLC (AKA Bob Jamison's bully pit) case #K1502-cs-4621
Our cases were to be heard on Feb. 3, but there were a lot of cases in the small claims courthouse in Lake Isabella yesterday, and our media "fest" was held back until next week.
Which actually worked out well.
The crowd was there, Sun publisher, Marsha Smith, a bag full of court goodies, and Editor Cathy Perfect, chattering away with her superior about some community member, or as they call it in the midwest, gossip.
Susan Barr, the Sun writer, known for her quips and jabs (in her emails to me anyway), wrote a heavenly story regarding the prayer I was given the task to do at the Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting.
Barr found news in the fact that I pray, but described in her opinion, an uncomfortable audience, which is disputed by several people who attended.
Cheap shot? Very. Dollar store shot, not even a "Home Mart" shot.
Could it be you next whom the writer's and editors at the only local "news" paper don't like or disagree with and use their podium to answer back at you, with a population likely believing them since you have no outlet yourself from which to defend against a reporter's attack.
Yes, it could be you, and it has been too many people in this valley and that is why I'm doing this court case, as small as it is, but the only way I could get into our courts.
No, this isn't a big money maker
There's no real money to be had, I will not be a millionaire at the end of the case.
But I will be redeemed that I took my issues to what I expect to be a fair hearing, will tell my side of the story, stick to the truth, and allow a judge who seemed quite fair, to listen to my complaint.
I didn't have eight babies or a steaming hot cup of coffee land in my lap, but what did happen is that I watched in horror as two outlets which report news, not only attack in a sneaky way myself, but hid important news and safety facts regarding the hospital, to the community, employees at the hospital (who came to the newspaper for help), and this recklessness simply had to be stopped in whatever way possible.
And small claims turned out to be the most viable.
Who is so insecure that they would knowingly print or post as is the case of the threat on the Kern Valley Sun blog site, a threat against someone when they could easily have overlooked that? They do it all the time. They don't post every comment.
They could have listened when I told them I had a police report filed because of the gun toting punk, and then the filed another police report when the KV Sun refused to take down the threat, but they played games which would make anyone nervous.
Would you appreciate the KV Sun putting up a threat on their blog site against you while you're in the middle of an investigation of the healthcare district, had a gun pointed at you, or would you be a little nervous every time you turned your doorknob as you came home?
No class, no thought behind any of this. That is why I choose not to play evil games but instead try to use the system that has been given to us in this country to settle such matters.
The issue between the KV Sun and I started three years ago as I asked that they not spread rumors about me, that if there are inquiries as to my status working there, they can say what they wanted, but not ridiculous games.
I went to the manager with my complaints and found out through a few sources that nothing had ended, the nonsense was on.
And I've tried to deal with both QAB and the Sun, asking for some mercy, that they leave me alone to do what I have to do in regard to the hospital, but it seems there is no mercy. More on this.
Finally met owner of QAB
Anthony Bohn, listed as the owner of QAB media LLC, someone I have never met, but was glad to yesterday, as now I know what or I should say, who, I'm really up against.
Mr. Bohn, noticed me immediately as I came through the crowded courtroom waiting area, where people were lined up to be heard, including myself, KV Sun and QAB.
Bohn, posted close to the door, asked immediately if I was Laura Hart, which impressed me for a moment, he did his homework, and could recognize me.
Bob Jamison was on hand, his mood seemed dim, he didn't approach me, until waved to come over by "boss" (this seems to be a bit contentious as Jamison shared a different relationship about his boss in an email, claiming control over the station due to his expertise in the engineering).
As Marsha Smith, Anthony Bohn and Bob Jamison were instructed by the bailiff to exchange information, I noticed several things about each of the defendants.
Smith, was not much for gabbing to me, but handed me my folder, and said, "I've already seen all this." I guess she feels safe now.
Then Mr. Bohn asked questions about the contents of my packet of paperwork, pictures, and blogs by Mr. Jamison, and several sexual emails with overtones regarding my potential employment at the radio stations.
Bohn said Jamison doesn't do the hiring, he does. Well, would that not make my point even sharper? It was a game Jamison was playing then, Mr. Bohn?
But anyway, in some of the articles I have read on QAB, there have been erroneous news reported regarding the hospital.
When I mentioned this to Mr. Bohn, he said they are not investigative journalists, which was never in question, but again I told him, you are a news outlet whom people rely on for truth.
He was quite warm, when he told me, there are radio stations for sale up here, you just need a "big check." (Yeah, thanks, that helps)
Or you have options like the media taking their responsibilities seriously or even possibly caring that people are informed. (But this whole thing has given me an idea for a satire which might be quite funny.)
Bohn said he's in the advertising business, (which will be addressed in the KV Sun case as that directly relates to the coverage of the hospital) the answer is a "yes" but, you still have responsibility to those who listen are asked to take you seriously. I'm sure the ABC radio news feed doesn't consider their news portion of the programming to be taken lightly.
Nobody is saying Mr. Bohn or his employees have to work for free, but there has to be some balance, is it just money, or can it be for both? If you can't put out a decent product and make enough money, then maybe...?
A final note: Mr. Bohn made a point of saying to me that Bob Jamison, KVHD board member, and Bob Jamison, engineer, broadcaster, and radiojock, are not the same person. One does one thing and the other does another.
ABSOLUTELY!
Except, Mr. Jamison has been taking the agenda of the hospital to the radio station and spilling out over the airwaves, and here's the answer to your question Mr. Bohn, with the obvious permission of the owner of the station.
Otherwise, it would have been stopped long ago.
I told Mr. Bohn it was nice to meet him after all this time, as we have tried many times to get messages to him, and until it came in the form of a court service, we were never even looked at, no phone calls, no attempt at contract.
Others called too: and it's a week away, but I think we should make this stand together and end this once and for all.
The hospital has other problems which we will be discussing, and we need to get rid of the poison which is still killing the reputation of the hospital.
Reputation=money
Nobody goes to a hospital where the locals recommend you stay away from. And it's rare if you have bad food and salmonella, that you will get a big lunch crowd, even if it wasn't your fault, your business served the lettuce.
So, the players are lined up, and the case will hit the deck as first up to bat on Wed. Feb. 10th at 3 pm in lake Isabella is our case.
If you feel that QAB was remiss in allowing elder abuse charged, former CEO, Pam Ott, to spend an hour of airtime defending herself with what appear to be bold faced lies, then maybe you have a case as well.
Sometimes it's not about winning a bunch of money to make your case: sometimes it's just a willingness to believe in the truth and set an example for those who want to make changes, better ones, for your family, your community, your country and eventually the world.
Too Pollyanna for you? Or is everyone too weak to take on the difficult tasks?
http://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/
Kern Valley Sun case # K1502-cs-4620
QAB media LLC (AKA Bob Jamison's bully pit) case #K1502-cs-4621
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Part three: Bob Jamison and QAB/sexual harassment too?/court date with the media Feb. 3
The never-ending story:
As if the Kern Valley Healthcare District story with the elder abuse, the bullying of employees and even board members, the use of small town media to cover some bad deeds indeed, I have brought another element to light and that is sexual harassment.
As I've described to you over the course of more than a year of writing this blog, that it would all come down to the fact that I've collected information and evidence, some of which is uncomfortable, yet the truth.
Nobody was comfortable in March of 2007 when I grabbed my bugle and began to play revievelle to a sleepy community unwilling to be awakened by matters such as public safety issues within the publicly run healthcare district, hospital which may have hastened the passing of residents of the nursing center.
At the time I began to bring in evidence and tell the story which continued and still continues to this day, about the mismanagement leading to, at the very least, mistreatment of people and more sickening, the weak, the infirm, the eldery, which we have now established DID occur under our noses, with the help of many, in our community and in our hospital.
The fight in early 2007 was the fact that there was a problem and who and what was causing it, was only in question. Very few would believe this could happen.
Because of certain circumstances and let's say it, priorities, the media in our valley put out confusing messages, one hoping to hold on to it's advertising, afraid to believe it was not as bad as it seemed; the other, willing to completely offer it's media services to a "resigning" CEO, who would be the first administrator out the door as the nursing center was approached being a safety hazard the state would have to close down.
Now, after the Department of Justice came through, a little late, but they at least showed up, which cannot be said for other agencies, such as the Grand Jury, who had early access to evidence which could have been seized in 2007, rather than a year later after the shredder was paid off.
And I don't know what the story is with the Department of Public Health, but several of us had an appointment to peruse public records regarding the hospital nursing center investigation, (the records are most likely in the hands of the state for their "potential" criminal trial) last April 2nd, and then were actually avoided for a full year.
Wow, the government, when they want to get you off their back, (because I'm just a small fly, a gadfly, and they know there is nothing I personally can do, except what I have been doing: telling the truth and following it up with evidence) they just laugh at you and ignore you.
I'm really a nothing in the big scheme of things. But because I don't believe any of us should be walking around thinking we are victims, acting as if we are victims thus ignoring the potential to act and solve problems: I just keep going.
We have reached another level to this now, where I am going to utilize our court system, part of the greater justice system: Small Claims court.
What tools do I have to use? Not many, my friends, but I will use them all until this is settled.
And because I said last year that I believed strongly that both the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper and more overtly, QAB media, owners of four radio channels, and access to the web and at one time, using the affiliate ABC radio news at the end of blogs authored by Bob Jamison, meant to attack maliciously without supportive information.
But even more sinister, has been the use of the station all the way up to the election, when Mr. Jamison, with a straight face, used his radio station to campaign for himself for board of directors at the hospital.
That particular program caused my phone to ring, as Jamison got off some personal attacks against the other candidates. Which I guess, if you don't embarass easily, is legal, but certainly an unwelcome example of small town politics.
I thank God the part of the scenario where the truth was just in our imaginations, there was no crime taking place, we didn't really get emails saying those things, nobody lied, and on and on.
Now it's the aftermath, however, we need to bring ourselves to that understanding so we can begin the clean up.
And I'm afraid what we have now, is more about how it happened, a disagreement between many people about how this poisonous situation took place.
I have put in front of you evidence which I believe supports a true conspiracy of top administrators, board members, the local media, and dare I say it, but an egregious example of the inefficiency of the many government agencies.
Next week the media in small claims court
Subject: sexual harassment
As I have been gathering all my evidence together to bring with me to court next week, and funny enough, the February 3rd board meeting date as well,
I am pleased to have my own opportunity to tell my story and show my evidence, and stand up for what I believe in, even if it is only in the smallest court we have.
Other people are out there punching it out, pointing guns at others, maybe even making threats, enjoying some slanderous or salamanderous moments at the expense of others, but I prefer to use truth and the avenues open to the average person (sans the attorneys) to do my work.
And as I've told everyone who has helped with this fight, this has never been about me, it is about all of us, and some of us like to talk the talk, while others can walk the walk.
So here's another subject that needs to be addressed for every young woman or man who has felt oppressive sexual advances connected to non-sexual situations such as a job.
As I will address in court next Wed. Feb. 3 at 3 pm in the Lake Isabella courthouse, prior to Mr. Jamison becoming overtly sexual in our conversations regarding my request to work with the radio station, as we had already set up situations where I called into the talk show Jamison, things were fine.
However, the more I was interested in the idea of doing a radio show, the more he was interested in meeting me for lunch or rambling on about strange, then eventually sexual things in our conversations.
This is a classical harassment set up, as opposed to just some sexual jokes or remarks.
Each time I had an idea about the show, which is what I was put through creating the show and ideas: it became an invitation or a phone call.
Eventually, I knew that there was no way the situation would work out, as Mr. Jamison wanted more than a side kick for his talk show.
But then there is the issue too that Jamison clouded the airwaves for months regarding the allegations of elder abuse, brown act violations, slander and defamation, conflict of interest, and I guess, I'm throwing it in there, sexual harassment to set off the whole ugly story.
I think after this is over, in Superior court and even small claims court, we will hopefully have learned how to be the example, walk the walk, and not be afraid to say that some is "WRONG" very, very wrong.
The media attacked my name and reputation in a malacious manner, but they also gave the community an example that the media cannot be counted on to take on serious and even grave situations such as what has occurred here in this valley. And nothing has changed in that regard.
The community: They call me about the high school, college community services, the rural health clinic, the water pollution, the racism, need for more classes at the college, the situations with their children...because they know I care and won't look the other way.
I can't get to everything, but I'm here watching...You can count on it.
Jamison E-mail:
From: Bob Jamison >
To: Laura Hart >
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006
14:51:09 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Laura,
Haven't heard anything else. At this point I do not intend to persue the matter further, as I think I got my point across to the subject agency on air.
As far as what we talked about after the show, I will tell you that like many people in the entertainment industry, I have a vivid imagination. In addition to listening to your words while we were on air, I was also keenly aware of the direction you seemed to want to go, but would not. We both have strong personalities and I can invision any number of situations that could result from two such people doing anything together. The result could be dynamic, exciting... the adjectives are nearly endless. It could also easily spin out of control.
Toward the latter, I must learn to stop imagining what people are waring when I am talking to them via phone from their home. I'm guessing that my vision of you setting in a chair in you pajamas drinking a glass of soy juice was more than likely inaccurate.
That's one of the things I love about radio, there is always enough room left for the imagination. TV, on the other hand, leaves no room for that.
Excuse me, I think I just inhaled my tie. Talk to you later.
Bob.
Haven't heard anything else. At this point I do not intend to persue the matter further, as I think I got my point across to the subject agency on air.
As far as what we talked about after the show, I will tell you that like many people in the entertainment industry, I have a vivid imagination. In addition to listening to your words while we were on air, I was also keenly aware of the direction you seemed to want to go, but would not. We both have strong personalities and I can invision any number of situations that could result from two such people doing anything together. The result could be dynamic, exciting... the adjectives are nearly endless. It could also easily spin out of control.
Toward the latter, I must learn to stop imagining what people are waring when I am talking to them via phone from their home. I'm guessing that my vision of you setting in a chair in you pajamas drinking a glass of soy juice was more than likely inaccurate.
That's one of the things I love about radio, there is always enough room left for the imagination. TV, on the other hand, leaves no room for that.
Excuse me, I think I just inhaled my tie. Talk to you later.
Bob.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)