MAILBAG: Neighbors want input in hospital issue

The Coastline Pilot had a Sounding Off by Bruce Christian, president and chief executive of the South Coast Medical Center (“Hospital’s sale is correct decision,” Oct. 3). In the seventh paragraph, Christian says: “We’re striving to ensure transparency. We’re working closely with the City Council to be sure residents have a voice in the process. And moving forward, we plan to keep the community informed and engaged.”

Christian’s statements certainly are not in concert with the efforts of the South Laguna Civic Assn. to engage the South Coast Medical Center in a productive dialogue. In fact, to try to gain transparency into this situation, we addressed the City Council on Sept. 16 as follows:

“In April of this year the South Laguna Civic Assn. wrote to Bruce Christian of the SCMC asking about the hospital’s plans for the future. We offered/requested to meet to review how the community and the hospital can work together. Mr. Christian did not respond to our letter.

“As a community we are very concerned about a possible loss of our hospital. We are also concerned that fears about losing the hospital could lead to requests for further expansion and development that would have impacts on our community. But without communication from the hospital and our council we find it difficult to know what to do.

“The hospital exists only because of the long-time efforts of the Laguna Beach Community. The first phase of the hospital in 1959 was funded half with community donations and half from a federal grant. Subsequently the hospital continued to benefit from community donations. It is ‘our’ hospital. It is baffling to us how a community hospital can just be sold to outside organizations that may have many other agendas besides community service.

“We appreciate that the council appears to be taking an active role by hiring an attorney and a hospital expert. Yet the council and the community should be working as a team. We cannot help if we don’t know what is going on. A citizen task force working with the council would be one way for concerned citizens and the council to work together.

“By including us in the process, we can contribute to a positive solution. We urge that the Council make this a public decision making process.”

And yet again, not one response or comment from any party involved. It is easy to say there will be transparency and that the residents are to have a voice, but it quite another to actually do it

BILL RIHN

Laguna Beach

Editor’s Note: Bill Rihn is president of the South Laguna Civic Assn.

?

Political laughter is also painful

Each day is greeted by another sound bite from Katie Couric’s interviews with Sarah Palin. Today Palin is responding to the question “What periodicals do you read?” with a fatuous “all of them,” while unable to name even one. Yesterday there was a different zinger.

Tomorrow there will be another. Palin appears so clueless that she must have lost her nerve and her capacity to think in public. Perhaps she has been dipping into Cindy’s supply of Vicodin. Meanwhile, bonafide war hero and PTSD sufferer John McCain’s campaign behavior is becoming increasingly erratic.

Given Karl Rove’s past stated intention to bring “a century of Republican rule,” this could all be the greatest of fun. It would be even more guffaw-producing to watch the GOP and their presidential campaign fall to pieces, but the seismic changes in the economy spoil the fun. It is with heartfelt joy that I see Obama gradually taking the lead in every demographic, in every region of the country, in every poll and in the opinions of an ever-growing army of public commentators. A 70/30 split on election day is a distinct possibility, with a coterie of Democratic logjam-breakers riding into office on Obama’s coattails. It will serve the GOP right for their complicity in the disastrous last eight years.

But the erupting changes make every laugh ring hollow. The world is a mess, and it is a very dangerous time. Even though the GOP is melting down, the Dems have to include and work with the Republicans because there is too much at stake. We could lose our country if we don’t. This, even though the short-sightedness, greed and calculation of the “financial community” and their lobbyists has insured as much as possible that the next administration won’t leave office with a massive surplus like that guy Clinton did.

JIM RUE

Laguna Beach

? Delighted with Heisler improvements

I am a longtime resident of North Laguna and have been taking almost daily walks in Heisler Park for years. Being a creature of habit it was very difficult for me to have to walk around the fencing that surrounded most of the park for so many months while the city and its contractors worked feverishly to complete the rebuilding and upgrading of the facility. Since the park reopened in early July I have again been able to enjoy my daily walks. Seeing my friends and having my dog catch up with old acquaintances has added much to my daily jaunts in the park.

I simply cannot say enough good things about the beautiful job the city has done in completing the renovation of Heisler Park. Everything is done to perfection and is tasteful and very well executed. The stone work on the multiple walls and walkways is an artistic accomplishment. The new restrooms are spacious, light and airy, and the architecture blends in to the environment seamlessly. The new drinking fountains are a special delight, and Luna especially appreciates the dog water fountains that allow her to get a drink without having to stand on her toes. The landscaping compliments the Park and adds much to the experience of walking through this amazing coastal greenbelt.

Lastly, I want to heap lots of thanks and appreciation on the city’s staff who are doing a spectacular job of maintaining the park and keeping it looking so beautiful. It is readily apparent that the maintenance workers truly care about the park and want it to look its best. Congratulations and a huge thank you to all involved with again making Heisler Park the special place it is and for keeping it so pristine.

Laguna Beach

? Kinsman out on a limb on hospital issue

Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman has quoted herself as saying, “Our hospital is not leaving. I may be strapped up there on the side of the tower, but it’s not leaving.” Her reelection campaign is now being positioned around keeping the hospital and its 24-hour emergency room in Laguna Beach.

This is a great example of the problem with many of our current council members. No one has explored and presented the options, there’s been no public discussion of them, and yet Cheryl has already made up her (closed) mind.

I don’t know about you, but I would like the council and city manager to lead a thorough, factual exploration of options for the future of South Coast Medical Center. One option could well include restoring a truly community-oriented medical center (if that is financially viable to some prospective buyer of the hospital).

And rather than automatically coupling discussions about the future of the hospital with the need for local emergency services, I would like our officials to explore the full set of options, including alternatives such as a free-standing emergency care unit of some kind.

Instead of stepping up to lead the community through this process, we’re presented with Cheryl’s pat answer in the form of a campaign slogan.

It’s apparently “her way or the South Coast Highway.”

If that’s our mayor pro tem’s leadership on this important city issue, then maybe we should take her up on her offer to be strapped to the tower!

TONY SARRIS

Laguna Beach

?

Kinsman will deliver on support to arts

My family has supported the Arts Community in Laguna Beach since we moved here in 1976. Two of our four children received scholarships from the Festival of Arts that helped support them through their college years. Three of them have degrees in theatre.

Currently, my son Steve is the managing director of the local nonprofit Gallimaufry Performing Arts organization, which encompasses dance, music, drama and musical comedy performances locally and abroad.

That’s why we support Cheryl Kinsman for City Council. She has a vision for building a state of the art community theatre that can operate year round and be available to all arts organizations.

And if there’s anything we know about Cheryl, it’s that she delivers. Once she sets her sights on an issue that needs attention, she works tirelessly to achieve her goals.

DON JOSEPHSON

Laguna Beach