Charity wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:09 PM:The Mayor wrote a $375,000 check from the charitable funds of the PPH Foundation, as treasurer, to the Yes on BB campaign committee.

Vibrant Downtown Medical Village At Risk wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:14 PM:Read the public concerns at www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/01/27/perspective/8_34_561_26_08.txt. 'The CEO of PPH was expected to appear before the City Council on Oct. 24 to give a report on the Downtown Medical Village. That appearance has never materialized. However, the CEO has appeared before the respective boards of the East Valley Association and the Downtown Business Association, and is scheduled to soon appear before the Escondido Rotary Club. Unfortunately, PPH can ignore the City Council because the memorandum of understanding is full of loopholes.'

Vibrant Downtown Medical Village At Risk wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:17 PM:The Mayor is afraid of the Sunshine! 'the City Council and PPH board need to have joint public workshops until the funding priorities can be understood and a realistic and cost-effective Downtown Medical Village has been secured.' www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/01/27/perspective/8_34_561_26_08.txt

Escondeeter wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:33 PM:How are the concerns of the citizens of Escondido properly represented by a committee consisting of two individuals who are already indicating in the article that they uncritically accept everything PPH tells them? Wouldn't we be better off with someone who exhibits evidence of the possession of some degree of critical judgment?

Covert Operations wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:46 PM:The Committee will meet with Covert to do what?

InterestingOrder wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:42 AM:Normally, the order goes like this:
1. You appoint the committee.
2. The committee does its fact-finding.
3. The committee announces its findings.

It's rather unusual to do item 3 before 1 or 2.

Fool on the Hill wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:16 AM:What a joke!!! The mayor should have recused herself on the early decisions concerning PPH because of her connection. Dick Daniels was the moderator for the staged joke of a public workshop that was held at the beginning. There is absolutely NO credibility here whatsoever. I think we have just gotten to the root of the problem. No wonder Covert zeroed-in on Escondido. What a sad and pathetic joke!

Taxpayer wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:35 AM:Mayor D-Pfeiler and Daniels will need to meet more than bi-monthly to do damage-control. In fact I would consider this a full-time job! It's a very little too very late.

gone before finished wrote on Feb 5, 2008 5:52 AM:Covert will be long gone counting his millions long before the new hospital is finished.

Better Cooperation wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:47 AM:Which side is not cooperating? PPH, the City, or both. My vote is PPH is not cooperating.

Little Andy wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:16 AM: PR does count and Pfeiler's our gal

Just great wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:21 AM:Daniels and Pfeiler. Why wouldn't PPH love to meet with these weak noodles? These are the same two who helped PPH get the upper hand in the first place. ... Watch PPH "plans" for the downtown fade away under their careless leadership. Why won't Abed, Waldron and Gallo step up? Apparently, they prefer to hide their heads in the sand.

Cry me a river wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:22 AM:"They are creating this committee to avoid Robroy's oversight committee," said Fawcett. It's all about you, Bobby!!!

resident wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:07 AM:PPH should want tattoo shops, check cashing places, liquor stores, run down restuarants, as their neighbors. Why would they abandon the ghetto of escondido and build in the nice part where everything is new? They are under no obligation to save downtown escondido. none whatsoever. But have no fear, Lori Pfeiler is on the way.

Amazed with the venomous minority wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:52 AM:Its incredible that a selfish small group of negative and biased downtown property owners are being given so much attention by the North County Times. PPH is here for all residents of the district not just this myopic minority who are panicked with their property values.

The Brown Act wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:59 AM:It appears that the committee's meetings will be open to the public under the Brown Act, 'advisory committees, composed solely of the members of the legislative body that are less than a quorum of the legislative body are not legislative bodies, except that standing committees of a legislative body, irrespective of their composition, which have a continuing subject matter jurisdiction, or a meeting schedule fixed by charter, ordinance, resolution, or formal action of a legislative body are legislative bodies for purposes of this
chapter.' Since a necessary function of this committee is to collaborate with PPH, the committee is not composed solely of members of the City Council. Stated purposed of this committee is to cooperate with PPH, work with PPH, discuss city assistance to PPH, help with designs, deal with sensitive issues, ans so on. PPH is a necessary participant in the committee. The continuing subject matter jurisdiction limitation requires the committee to have a short life. Meeting every two-months, and then bringing back reports indicates a standing committee having continuing jurisdiction. Ignoring the constraints of the Brown Act is not good government.

in hiding? wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:12 AM:so what's happened to wally gutierez?

answer to hiding wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:40 AM:why does anyone go "in hiding"? usually when they realize they've done or said something WRONG. I pity these fools-Gutirrez and Fawcett-and all the other sheep on Robroy's pretend
"overight committee" that were led astray. The real pity is they don't even realize that they're being used.

Wally wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:44 AM:Not everything goes as planed and you're not going to make everybody happy. Compromises need to be made on both sides. PPH doesn't have control over the economy, construction costs or greedy land owners attempting to make a killing at taxpayer expense.

Observer wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:45 AM:I believe Fawcett and his followers have been misinformed and as a result, have created an unnecessary strain on the relations between PPH and the City of Escondido. If anyone should be held accountable right along with PPH, it should be Fawcett and his posse. They're the ones that give Escondido a bad name!

to "resident" wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:48 AM:don't forget all the other benefits of the current PPH site in downtown Escondido: gang activity, car theft, vandalism, window smashing, etc. the list goes on. who wouldn't want to build in such a VIBRANT neighborhood! Yeah, I support Robroy Fawcett all the way.

Cali Gal wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:50 AM:you guys elected dicky daniels because you thought he was part of your good ol boys club, well guess again! you're getting exactly what you deserve and then some.

Greedy land owner wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:54 AM: We already know PPH's position, how about Wally, Rob, the Santrach's, Vander Spek, Sam and the others. Tell us what investment property you own or have a vested interest in (near PPH) and when it was acquired. Let us decide if your intentions are pure.

Level headed wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:08 AM:Councilwoman Marie Waldron, who served with Councilman Ed Gallo on a similar committee that culminated with the 2006 memorandum, said she supports Pfeiler's plans for creating a new committee with new members.

marilyn wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:49 AM:The amazing growth of our town into being a medical center, with up-to-date buildings and equipment will draw more professionals and a recognition of our ability to provide good care for members of the margest medical/hospital district in the state

Jerry K wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:04 AM: PPH does not have to do what they promised Escondido Because we are the kings

PPH wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:08 AM: We believe in Good Faith,Best Efforts,Shall Consider. Wink, Wink

to marilyn wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:16 AM:your getting just that, less than ten minutes away from downtown escondido. can't complain about that, can you?

Tina P wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:17 AM: PPH believes in Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler. She / We believe in 'quality-of-life' tax, TransNet half-cent sales tax measure, Tax Bonds and more Tax Bonds

Gustavo F wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 AM: I am King next to Covert

Covert wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:22 AM: It's all about winning.

to Jerry K wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:25 AM:shouldn't you be in your third grade classroom right now? tsk, tsk. I'm calling your mother.

$375,000 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:25 AM: It's about the money.... and we have it

interesting posts..... wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:36 AM:wally must be on his lunch break, back at his computer.

To: to marilyn wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:37 AM: Only if PPH keeps there promise and WE all know they are already 9 month behind schedule

Jerry K wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:40 AM: If I was on the Prop BB Committee I would be ashamed of myself for not being honest to the community

Patently false? wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:42 AM:Our forgiving mayor believes that buying a few properties displays sufficient effort by PPH and informed observers are "patently false" in their criticisms. However, these few properties will never translate into a 50,000 square foot class A office building to house the administration of PPH as promised. It will never happen unless PPH agrees with a developer to pay market rents for such occupancy. As reported earlier, PPH is are already busy with plans to move these admin types close to the new hospital far from downtown. Big surprise. There is no evidence that an effort was ever made to build this vital office building. This phantom building and the employees promised for the downtown were part of the clear and deliberate misrepresentations to get the council to buy into "the vibrant downtown" fairy tale.

California Sunshine wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:45 AM:According to the Brown Act, 'the Legislature finds and declares
that the public commissions, boards and councils and the other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly. The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.'

Tackle? wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:48 AM:Can they just sort things out or are they going to play football.

Greedy land owner wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:48 AM: PPH OWNS THE MOST LAND DOWNTOWN THEY ARE VERY GREEDY

Pawns wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:49 AM:Gutierrez and Fawcett are being used as pawns by those who want the Mayor gone

To: Patently false? wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:49 AM: I could have not said it better

whoever believes wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:53 AM:that escondido is a "vibrant downtwon" is living a fairytale! wake up, a new hospital and office buildings wouldn't have done the trick into magically turning that part of downtown escondido into a vibrant neighborhood. that area is too far gone, the developers and the rest of us know it. why don't you?

Gutierrez and Fawcett wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:53 AM: PPH keeps saying Gutierrez and Fawcett .... Why don't they just do what the Promised everyone....to shut these guy up

re: Pawns' statement wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:55 AM:Thank you for simplifying this ridiculous blog into one precise sentence. Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

To: whoever believes wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:00 PM: Will it be a Medical Village as PPH calls it???? "NOT" They don't have the Money $$$$$$$$$$$$

PPH wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:18 PM: PPH Just do what you promised. Is that to hard????

SB 306 Compliance Extension wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:29 PM:Fawcett is sorely misinformed. The State has extended to the seismic deadline for the McLeod Tower at PMC to 2020 by Senate Bill 306. The legislation was approved by the Governor on 10/13/2007. SB306 permits a hospital owner to comply with seismic safety deadlines and requirements in current law by replacing all of its buildings subject to seismic retrofit by January 1, 2020, rather than retrofitting by 2013, and then replacing them by 2030. That is why PPH was able to cut the $90 million from the facilities budget. Palomar Medical Center and the McLeod Tower can remain in its present configuration until 2020.

Who Is The Wizard wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:37 PM:behind the curtain? The post at 11:55 am is too shy. Who is using the Pawns?

To: Gutierrez and Fawcett wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:24 PM: It's because PPH does not plan to keep there promises made to Escondido. They won't even make a "Good Faith" or "Best Efforts" or even "shall consider"

to SB306 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:27 PM:You are incorrect in your statement that SB306 allows the hospital to delay retrofit until 2020. There is a financial component to the bill that requires a hospital be in "poor" financial status to obtain the delay and PPH does not fall in this category--in fact only about 10 hospitals in the state will meet the criteria - NO hospitals in SD county meet all the requirements of the bill

Mary wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:38 PM: I don't stand by what I wrote earlier. Who cares? I care about who owns what. I care about health care and saving lives. PPH said they were going to do build a new hospital and a medical village downtown, and urgent care and primary care centers in Ramona, Rancho Penasquitos/Rancho Bernardo, Valley Center, San Marcos and I beleave them. We will all know the answer soon, when this should all be completed. PLEASE both sides do say anything bad about me I just want Wally for me. Mary

The Order wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:58 PM:Tommy said it would be like this!

SB 306 Compliance Extension wrote on Feb 5, 2008 2:14 PM:According to HS Code 130061.5, 'By enacting this section, the Legislature reinforces its commitment to ensuring the seismic safety of hospitals in California. In order to meet that commitment, this section provides a mechanism for hospitals that lack the financial capacity to retrofit Structural Performance Category-1 (SPC-1) buildings by 2013 to, instead, redirect available capital and borrowing capacity to replace those
building by 2020.' SB 306 is available if the hospital does not have the financial capacity to retrofit its SPC-1 buildings. PPH has consistently asserted that it cannot afford to retrofit the McLeod Tower. If PPH can afford to retrofit the McLeod, a great injustice has been foisted on the taxpayers!

To to SB306 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 2:33 PM:According to statewide estimates, about half of the 2,000 hospital buildings statewide are classified in the SPC-1 category and about half of SPC-1 buildings will not meet 2008/2013 statutory deadlines due to financial constraints. This bill creates a process by which deadlines will be extended for eligible hospitals. 3)Impact of HAZUS Pending. Hazards United State (HAZUS) is a standardized federal earthquake loss methodology that relies on mathematical modeling along with information about building stock, economic data, local geology and location and size of potential earthquakes to estimate losses due to seismic events. California is in the process of implementing HAZUS and adjusting SPC ratings, as appropriate. According to preliminary data, as many as half of the 1,000 SPC-1 hospital buildings may be reclassified to SPC-2 buildings and therefore subject to less stringent requirements and timelines. SPC-2 buildings do not significantly jeopardize life but may not be repairable following a significant earthquake and must be brought into seismic compliance by 2030 or removed from acute care service. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!

Little Andy wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:49 PM: We PPH are right and you guys are wrong.

Little Andy wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:50 PM: PLEASE "Trust US" Wink, Wink

Gustavo F wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:53 PM: Once again, I am King next to Covert. Please remember this

PPH wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:55 PM:"Good Faith" , "Best Efforts" , "shall consider" thats our moto. Wink Wink

Little Andy wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:57 PM: We (PPH) are bring the Super Bowl to Escondido..... In a MOU form

SB306 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:04 PM: SB306 who care we don't. All WE want is our hospital on the hill

Gee wiz Wally ! wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:05 PM: HAS THE CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE? Why don't you speak? Your silence is suspicious. Can't use SB306 as an excuse anymore?

And again we say; wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:21 PM:Not one of you can answer or are willing to answer the simply question of investment property near PPH. You piffle and attempt to redirect the question. Your replys are nonsequitur.

Need Better Lobbyist wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:21 PM:PPH needs a better lobbyist if they could not get the state to include them in SB306.

to GET FACTS STRAIGHT wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:32 PM:Let me get this straight. PPH cut $90 million from the downtown project before the legislation was complete, and before the HAZUS evaluation was complete. Now you claim that neither will help PPH, but the money for downtown is gone. Another example of poor management at PPH.

As Wally posted this morning; wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:50 PM:"Not everything goes as planed and you're not going to make everybody happy. Compromises need to be made on both sides. PPH doesn't have control over the economy, construction costs or greedy land owners attempting to make a killing at taxpayer expense." And if PPH is reclassified; SPC-2 buildings do not significantly jeopardize life but may not be repairable following a significant earthquake and must be brought into seismic compliance by 2030 or removed from acute care service. That's why Covert makes the big bucks and you don't.

oldtimer wrote on Feb 5, 2008 5:49 PM:Well, I posted a question here before I went to work this morning, now I'm home and I don't see my post, I must have been in too big of a hurry and there were technical difficulties. All I asked was, does the Mayor's family still own property adjacent to the hospital?

Mayor's family wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:08 PM: Yes they do

Eating crow yet? wrote on Feb 6, 2008 7:39 AM:NCT 2/6/08 - Glass artist to relocate studio, plans sale
Renowned glass artist Joan Irving is moving from her downtown Escondido art studio at 451 E. Valley Parkway. All inventory, including artwork, supplies, metal bases and furniture, will be sold at significant discounts Saturday and Sunday during downtown's 2nd Saturday Art Walk.
The 3,700-building was purchased by Palomar Pomerado Health. The property eventually will become part of the hospital district's revitalization project for the area surrounding Palomar Medical Center.
Irving plans to relocate her studio to 342 E. Grand Ave. on April 1.

Sunshine wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:09 AM:Will the ad hoc committee need to report all the information provided to it by PPH, or will the ad hoc committee be able to withhold politically sensitive information, thereby providing the full City Council with only a sanitized version of the PPH information.

To Crow wrote on Feb 6, 2008 11:42 AM:PPH still has another property to go. What is the holdup? We want PPH to purchase and rebuild on these properties! Is PPH only able to handle one property acquisition at a time? As for eating crow, these land purchases are easily reversible transactions, and should have been completed last year. Also, PPH has indicated that it will turn these properties into overflow parking for PMC until it can secure a developer. Where is the private developer for the Downtown Medical Village? In addition, I'm waiting for PPH to restore the $90 million it diverted from the renovation of PMC (Phase II) to the cost overruns on the new but shrinking hospital campus in the ERTC. The MOU had 3 phases, not just 1/3 of a phase!

Environmental Impact wrote on Feb 6, 2008 1:42 PM:Has PPH prepared an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) for its Downtown Medical Village project?

Does it taste like chicken?? wrote on Feb 6, 2008 1:47 PM: If there is another property to purchase, then they should wait another year for the price to come down. Why pay top dollar? Or is that your land?

Eating Crow wrote on Feb 6, 2008 2:36 PM:So PPH buys land and drives out businesses but has no money or plans to develop anything downtown. Go see how much they improved the three story building that they bought for 30% more than FMV. It used to hold businesses and generate property taxes. Now it is junk.

Reality check wrote on Feb 6, 2008 4:56 PM: All property was 30% more then FMV last year, as it was the year before that and the year before that. My property has appreciated almost 300% in the last few years and now it's going down. I don't need a crystal ball to tell you it's going to go down some more. It's all on paper until you exchange it for currency. The deli closed because of a greedy landlord and I think it sits empty. Property aquisitions are delayed because of greedy property owners and that may turn for PPH's favor. Remodel the three story building, what's the hurry? Get over it!

To Environmental Impact wrote on Feb 6, 2008 5:17 PM:No. PPH has not presented an EIR for the project.

to reality check wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:58 AM:Wrong about all property being down 30%. Not so with commercial property. Ask any broker and he will tell you that PPH overpaid for the 3 story building. Perhaps the PPH plan is to create blight and then pick up properties for cheaper. Of course they have no money to improve anything, so everything they buy will turn to blight as will our beloved downtown hospital. Thanks for nothing PPH!

Everyone overpaid wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:52 AM: You're right, everyone has overpaid for any property the past 4 years or so. The only difference with the property surrounding PPH is that people have been speculating and hoping for a windfall. This property is probably overvalued, at this time, because of it. Remember years ago when nobody wanted the land at the ERTC (the bolder garden). Now try to purchase a piece of that property. Drive down Grand and look at all the empty store fronts, then check out how long they have been vacant. I suppose you'll blame PPH for that as well.

Just viewed Council meeting wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:08 PM:And saw Wally's and Bobby's performance. The only discription I can come up with is;
lame duck
Function: noun
1: one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement

To Creepy Viewer With Dictionary wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:46 PM:I liked it better back when you would quote Shakespeare.

Real Estate Crash wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:01 PM:Soon the PPH will realize that residential real estate in Escondido has fallen 40% in the last year. It is now mathematically impossible for PPH to borrow $500 million while maintaining its promised tax rate. PPH will need to borrow less than $500 million, or if it does borrow $500 million, PPH will need to increase the property tax rate to a level significantly above that promised to taxpayers during the Prop BB campaign."

to everyone overpaid wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:14 PM:You exemplify the real PPH view of Downtown. Putting down Escondido is a cottage industry for you louts. It is too bad that you can't come out publicly but instead hypocritically act as though you care. Just remember that it was the good citizens of Escondido who started PPH and gave whatever it took to get it started. The fact that it has been hijacked by the likes of you will assure that the deep pockets that still live here will turn their philanthropic energies elsewhere.

To real estate crash wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:42 PM:How much would property values have to drop before reaching 2004 levels? And this didn't include new construction since that time. I'm no accountant but I think we'll be OK.
RE; ww.SmartVoter.org 12/15/04
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to property taxpayers is estimated to be $17.75 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The average assessed value of property in the hospital district is $275,000. The average property tax bill would increase less than $50.

To: 'to everyone overpaid' wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:19 AM:Your response was absolutely perfect and I believe you just gave us a very accurate synopsis of the past and the predictable future. And to the real estate genious - most of us live outside the the hospital district. The bite on our tax dollars will be MUCH higher. There might not be many of us left who are still in the mood for philanthropy.

And... wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:25 AM:Maybe the mayor's Escondido Foundation will choose PPH as their next charity. LOL These people seem to be chasing their own tails.

Real estate genious wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:47 AM: Most of you live outside the hospital district??
Re;...
Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH), the largest public hospital district in California, spans 850 square miles from the Riverside County line to Scripps Ranch, from Anza Borrego to Vista. Communities include Escondido, Fallbrook, Ramona, San Marcos, Valley Center, Pauma Valley, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Penasquitos.
So what state do you "philanthropists" live in?? I smell smoke!!

To real estate genious wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:47 AM: That's not smoke you're smelling, it's manure!

Giving for the right reasons wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:10 PM: There's a big difference between philanthropy and profiteering. Althrough some profiteers become phiianthropists in their latter years for redemption.

My bad wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:20 PM:I confused district with zone. Sorry about that. Let's hope the real philanthropists live in Rancho Santa Fe. Iran, Iraq? Cut me some slack; I'm old. LOL

To All Is Okay wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:51 PM:You have no understanding of the financial estimates supporting the promised PPH tax rate.

Because I said so? wrote on Feb 9, 2008 12:05 PM: If you don't think I understand the financial estimates, explain your position. Please stick to the facts and don't redirect the question. Is because I said so the reply you want us to accept?

To Because I Said So wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:12 AM:I tried to post the nitty gritty details, but NCTimes did not post it. I will try it again after this gets posted. Summary: if the PPH District's assessed value drops by more than 8% between 2007-08 and 2008-09, the Integrated Finance Plan is at risk because the plan assumes that assessed values will increase by 6.1% for 46 years.