Red Phone’s back again this fine Saturday morning having tracked
down answers to caller’s questions. Recently left the Crimson
Crusader a message? Fear not, the Red Phone has heard you and will
respond as soon as answers are available. Check back next week to
see if the Red Phone’s solved your case and keep the calls coming.
Got a problem, need an answer, call the Red Phone
– always waiting, always on-line, always at 635-9219.
Red Phone’s back again this fine Saturday morning having tracked down answers to caller’s questions. Recently left the Crimson Crusader a message? Fear not, the Red Phone has heard you and will respond as soon as answers are available. Check back next week to see if the Red Phone’s solved your case and keep the calls coming. Got a problem, need an answer, call the Red Phone – always waiting, always on-line, always at 635-9219.
Railroad update
A few weeks ago, the Free Lance reported callers’ concerns about the railroad crossing at Highway 25 did not fall on deaf ears. The California Public Utilities Commission ordered Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, to repair the crummy crossing by May 17. This week, Union Pacific announced they’ve scheduled a full road closure on April 16 and 17 to fix the crossing. UP Director of Public Affairs John Bromley, who received the brunt of Red Phone callers’ complaints, said the company will have the repairs tied up in time for the morning commute Monday, April 18. Read more about the repair work on the front page. Good news for local residents and a victory for Red Phone callers!
Underwood
off the hook
Last week, a Red Phone caller asked the Crimson Crusader to track down Hazel Hawkins CEO (aka San Benito Health Care District Chief Executive Officer) Ken Underwood’s salary before ballots for the $30 million hospital expansion bond, Measure L, were due. Ballots should be in all registered voters mailboxes by now, except a few hundred county residents in the Bitterwater Tully, Aromas and Erie areas. True to his word, Underwood disclosed his salary this week, after the Red Phone filed a public records request with the hospital board of directors. Ballots are due by May 3 at 8pm at the county Elections Office or by April 29 if you plan to mail them. The bond will pay for significant expansion of the local hospital including expanding the obstetrics unit and emergency room in addition to funding expensive equipment. The average homeowner’s property tax will increase by $84 annually if the bond receives the two-third vote needed to pass.
Underwood’s compensation package for 2004 which includes bonuses, car allowance and contributions to his pension plan was $190, 979.
By comparison, according to San Jose Mercury News report published in February, Fremont’s Washington Township Health Care District’s CEO, Nancy Farber, receives a salary of $408,000, annual bonuses of up to $80,000, a new car every three years, and vacation, health and retirement benefits. Sequoia Hospital’s Glenna Vaskelis receives a salary of $246,718, bonuses up to $84,000 and a $600 monthly car allowance, and vacation, health and retirement benefits. Susan Murphy at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center receives a salary of $203,026 with no bonuses in addition to 23 cents per mile for traveling expenses and vacation, health and retirement benefits. Nancy Steiger, at San Mateo County Hospitals and Clinics, receives a salary of $185,000, up to $25,000 in bonuses and a $524 monthly car allowance, plus vacation, health and retirement benefits.
