Opinion

I have been in the Health Care business for over 20 years and have worked at a number of hospitals in this state and abroad. Every time the surveyors, State or Federal, inspect a facility they find points of "non-compliance" and “deficiencies”. In fact it's their job to find these issues. Just as a driver risks losing his/her right to drive if they do not comply with the rules of the road, hospitals must follow their own set or rules or risk penalty. When a surveyor finds a hospital out of compliance on something, there is the threat of Federal/State funds being pulled. This is nothing new. It happens all the time and at every hospital in the country. This is all part of the process that helps a hospital achieve excellence in patient care and safety. Why don't your reporters report these facts? Why does the local paper here not support their only hospital? The reporting is so negative and full of doom that I believe you are doing your readership a disservice. Do you ever consider celebrating the good work Saint Louise does on a daily basis? I see it from the front row. I’ve seen lives saved here. I see people made well here every day. Do you think we will see a front page story on one of the very many wonderful successes achieved at Saint Louise?

In addition to the very thrilling reports of Hollister’s baseball playing youngsters and their moves toward regional championships, the July 10 issue of the Free Lance was filled with many other relevant and timely articles of interest. Although I usually start with the sports page and then consume anything written on the subjects of local or state government and the criminal justice system, I was stopped by hitting a brick wall by the opinion page article written by 16-year-old Nicole Huxtable.

A few months ago, I wrote a letter to the editor defending Joe Paterno and his record at Penn State University. As time has passed and the investigation shows that he did cover up the truth I feel it necessary to acknowledge that I was wrong, and that I would like to apologize to all of the readers of the Free Lance.

Sometime in August, state legislators are expected to pass pension reforms aimed at making our public retirement system more sustainable and less vulnerable to abuses.

My name is Jim Gibson. I am a member of the board of directors at the San Benito Health Foundation and have been the treasurer of the foundation for two years. In a recent interview with the Free Lance and, in an editorial that quoted me extensively at a Hollister City Council meeting which I did not attend, I do not feel that my views on the proposed Salud Para La Gente-led federal grant application have been adequately expressed.  With your permission I would like to do so now.

This letter is in response to Marty Richman's letter to the editor of July 20. Marty lists RDA bonds, sewer bonds, a $920,000 loan from the water fund to the general fund and Calpers payments as excessive debt which could destroy the City.

I am confused by the new Friday Free Lance (the old Pinnacle).

Sheriff Thompson has demonstrated common sense, good judgement, compassion and leadership in making it clear that the Sheriff's department will "not deport people" (Free Lance News, Friday, July 20, 2012). Undocumented immigrants come here in search of work and to feed their families.  Most are not criminals and they help support our economy. Most pay taxes and do not qualify for tax returns. Also, due to strict requirements, most undocumented immigrants cannot access pubic assistance.