It was only a joke
I had the privilege to speak at the San Benito County Chamber
Lunch with Leaders program on May 23 about current events at Hazel
Hawkins Memorial Hospital. To add a little humor to the program, I
presented a list of made-up, one line alleged physician notes. This
piece has been widely circulated for at least 15 years. I received
it then from a hospital in Florida.
I apologize that I misled the attendees that these were actual
notes transcribed from our physicians. It was poor judgment to have
done this.
We take patient confidentiality very seriously at Hazel Hawkins
Memorial Hospital, and we adhere to strict federal guidelines with
regards to the access and release of patient information. I have
the utmost respect for our medical staff. We are very fortunate to
have such a high quality group of over 100 physicians to serve our
community.
I assure the community that their private health information
remains just that, private.
Ken Underwood
chief executive officer, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
It was only a joke
I had the privilege to speak at the San Benito County Chamber Lunch with Leaders program on May 23 about current events at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. To add a little humor to the program, I presented a list of made-up, one line alleged physician notes. This piece has been widely circulated for at least 15 years. I received it then from a hospital in Florida.
I apologize that I misled the attendees that these were actual notes transcribed from our physicians. It was poor judgment to have done this.
We take patient confidentiality very seriously at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, and we adhere to strict federal guidelines with regards to the access and release of patient information. I have the utmost respect for our medical staff. We are very fortunate to have such a high quality group of over 100 physicians to serve our community.
I assure the community that their private health information remains just that, private.
Ken Underwood
chief executive officer, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
A ‘yes’ vote for coyote trapping
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The coyote is not the nice “little dog” that Mr. Paxton (June 15 article) would like you to believe.
The City Council of Los Alamitos, after at least 11 attacks on domestic pets, voted 5-0 to contract with Wildlife Services to set coyote traps in their city. Officials worried that a human attack could be next. The city mayor also partnered with neighboring Rossmoor, which also experienced coyote problems. Other cities, Westminister and Chino Hills have also used trapping to help solve their coyote problems.
Over the years we have relocated seven to eight month old fawns to several different ranches in the area. The fawns came from the local Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. One group of five fawns released resulted in the death of one fawn by a coyote in front of an audience of seven. A second fawn would have been killed by a second coyote had it not been scared off by one of the observers hollering. Eventually all five were killed by predators, two by lions and three by coyotes. All deer released were ear tagged for tracking.
Another five deer were released the following year (different ranch) and resulted in predators getting three fawns shortly after they were released. Two survived. One lived eight years and disappeared. It was assumed she fell prey to a lion or coyote. The other lived nine years and was killed by a vehicle. They had twin fawns every year. All fawns were killed by coyotes within two weeks after birth with the exception of the spring of 1999. In the fall of 1998, Sept. 1 to Nov. 7, with the help of Wildlife Services we killed 80 coyotes. The following spring, with few predators, the two deer fawns made it to adults.
Most livestock producers view the coyote as a “killer”. Coyotes will feed on newborn calves, killing them by removing the internal organs. Nine-hundred to 1,000-pound heifers that have been temporarily paralyzed from a lengthy calving period, due to larger than normal calves, are eaten alive.
Ewes struggling to get back into the flock, dragging a rear leg with the bone exposed. Calves struggling to get up with most of the leg flesh gone. These are some of the things that come to mind when we see or hear a coyote.
Those of us who are willing to face reality fully support the Board of Supervisors decision to bring back the Wildlife Service program. Not just for the coyote problem but for the control of wild pigs, the spread of E-coli by the pigs for public safety.
Charles F. McCullough
Paicines
Thanks to all for a safe, fun night
The safest place to be on the night of June 7 2007 was the O’Donnell gym in Hollister, California. That was the location of the 2007 San Benito High School Sober Grad Night. I just want to send out a personal thank you to all the folks who helped pull off the biggest party of the year, once again! We had over 400 SBHS graduates in attendance – 80 percent of the graduating class, a record!
We had volunteers from all public safety offices in town… CHP, SBC Sheriff’s Dept. Hollister Police, CDF, Hollister Fire, AMR, Forest Service, US Marines, and the Air Force. That was a lot of uniforms! WOW! We’re pretty sure that they all had a good time also, especially between the hours of 10-midnight, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
Coach Ben Parks (graduate of Hollister High in 1953) did a special motivational speech for the kids. A special thank you goes out to last year’s committee members and last years graduates who helped. Really, having previous committee members and volunteers show up again to work the grueling hours, is an indication of the commitment this event has.
I’m pretty sure those same folks will be back again next year, and we will need them. Those new committee members who helped by collecting donations and plan and execute the evening were a blessing also, along with the SBHS teachers, coaches and staff who just wanted to see their students, one more time. A huge thank you also, to the community businesses that so generously gave to our event.
Hopefully, everyone will want to participate again next year, for the good of the cause. If I could make one wish for next year….is if about 20 people could rest up for the next 365 days, and come help us out at about 1 a.m. Then those of us oldies will still be able to walk the next day and not need Tylenol, Ben Gay and a full body massage just to get out of bed the next morning. Anyone up for a challenge?
Marci Huston
chair, 2007 Sober Grad Night
Mosquito abatement vs. ongoing taxes
By now, most of us have read the pros and cons on this issue. So, my question is, does this new tax have a “sunset clause?”
For those opposing the new tax, the question of a new tax item on our property tax bill sends a message that this new tax will never go away. On the other side, those supporting this tax points to the need to address this county health issue.
A sunset clause limits the years this new tax assessment will be applied to our property tax bill. Sometimes when this situation does exist, the voters are asked to vote “yes” again to extending this tax either indefinitely or for a set number of years in the future. If this sunset clause does exist, I would be supported of this new tax. However, if there is NO sunset clause, I am against it.
Therefore, what kind of situation does this abatement tax being presented to the voters?
Perhaps the media will clarify this question to the public.
Chuck Geiger
San Juan Bautista
The watts really add up
I feel I should relate our story regarding electricity. All of last year our PG&E bill was rising drastically. We visited the local office to be told we could qualify for commercial rate. We have a single home with 2 retired adults.
After digesting what was said we came home and gave the refrigerator in the garage to someone that needed it. Went to Costco and others places that sold the new energy saving spiral light bulbs (only with PG&E discount) and replaced every bulb in the house and outside. Pool filter on one hour versus three hours.
In one month our bill was cut in half. Same month last year was 1,430 Kwh and this 742. It is unbelievable!
Had to share as you can do the same.
Shirley Sergent
Hollister
Many thanks to NDGW
It’s so good to be part of a community that cares. Compassion Pregnancy Services was the recent recipient of this care. One of our local organizations, Native Daughters of the Golden West, recently donated wonderful new baby items to us. We are so pleased to be able to bless our clients with these new items. What could be better than to be able to receive new, carefully chosen baby things when you are a new mom needing just a little help from friends who care? Thank you Cece Johnston for graciously delivering these precious gifts!
Angie Roland
executive director, Compassion Pregnancy Services
San Juan deserves better
The editorial in the May 21 Pinnacle explained the problems of the Economic Development Agency’s grant toward a new water project for San Juan Bautista, being pulled if the city doesn’t cooperate. The editorial says that SJB city staff and council have to find a way to work with the EDA.
The 2005-2006 Grand Jury report said that the SJB city, the San Benito County Water District and the Regional Water Quality Control Board must be partners of SJB’s water project. The report also stated that the county Board of Supervisors must address the matter in an emergency session with all the parties involved with the intent to form a task force with a court appointed mediator to resolve the issue with the objective of adjudicating a mutually acceptable joint agreement.
The Grand Jury recommended that the parties must work until a consensus is reached.
This is now a year later and it seems that all recommendations have yet to be followed. The city of SJB and all parties involved need to cooperate immediately for the benefit of all its taxpaying citizens. Time is of the essence so that funds are not lost. San Juan Bautista residents deserve a modern replacement of their ancient, dilapidated water system in order to avoid a fine from the RWQCB.
Ruth Erickson
Hollister
