Robroy wrote on Mar 7, 2008 7:25 AM:I strongly agree with this statement: "we are extremely fortunate to have the advantage of a top-rated hospital in our own community." Folks, Mr. Kaufman is referring to Palomar Medical Center in Downtown Escondido. One-half of PMC (180,000 square feet of acute care hospital space) has been built since 1987 and is in full compliance with the State's seismic requirements. Housed in this compliant space is the heart of an acute care hospital and trauma center. Furthermore, the parking structure and heliport, built in 1985, are in compliance with the seismic requirements. What is needed at PMC is a new patient tower of about 140,000 square feet. At $700 per square foot, that new tower would cost about $98 million. Then the community would be able to continue to benefit from the "top-rated hospital." The idea of destroying the newest emergency room in the North County is evidence of a "master plan in shambles." More worrisome, PPH's integrated plan of finance is crumbling under the weight of cost increases of the facilities expansion.

Dumb Marketing wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:44 AM:PPH continues to refer to its flagship hospital as a 50 year old, overcrowded, decaying hospital. I would not be surprised if PPH starts losing money on its operations because of its dumb marketing over the last several years.

Free Enterprise wrote on Mar 7, 2008 5:20 PM:The Escondido Chamber of Commerce has lost its way. It claims its mission is to 'promote free enterprise.' PPH is a government hospital district. It does not pay property taxes or income taxes. It receives millions of dollars in income taxes. The 'volunteers' at the Chamber is so loaded with government employees of the school districts and government hospital districts, the Chamber is unable to see clearly on the hospital issue. The 'volunteer' government employees are paid to stop any education of the community through the Chamber, when that education differs with the government sponsored propaganda emitted by their respective employers. What a disgrace!

Capitalist wrote on Mar 7, 2008 5:25 PM:Jerry must be learning how to invest from the Chamber of Commerce. Jerry opines, the 'Palomar Pomerado Health has demonstrated prudent management skills in keeping the hospital beds filled, which results in a good financial return on investment.' How can I get in on a piece of the return on investment? Where do I buy stock? Oops? PPH has no stock! It is a government agency. Jerry's idea of an investment is to take property taxes and then run up big cost overruns!

SICK OF Robroy, Wally & Jim V!!!! wrote on Mar 7, 2008 11:47 PM:Want Some Cheese with your Whine - Robroy, Wally & Jim V? Geez - Louise! I have never seen someone so obsessed! Between Robroy, Wally Guiterrez and Jim VanderSpek - they could write a book on how to fight a losing battle! Why do they keep fighting against something that IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. At the City Council meeting this past Wednesday, Robroy was complaining (AGAIN) about how NOTHING was happening. He asked if the city council Ad Hoc committee (for the Hosp - Pfeiler & Daniels) could give a estimated completion date on Bldgs 1 and/or 2. Oh...Robroy...how gullible do you think people are? The reason you want the estimated completion date - IS SO THAT YOU CAN WHINE about it when/if it took longer. I think Robroy needs a vacation - maybe he can take Jim V & Wally G with him. P.s...I'm just an ordinary citizen that is just sick of the three "but-how-will-I-personally-benefit" anti-PPH Hospital clowns!

To SICK wrote on Mar 8, 2008 3:37 AM:Let's see how you feel when PPH finally can no longer continue the positive spin. Are you willing to be taxed twice for what was promised. Jerry Dominelli would have loved this game. Time will tell, and my money is with those whom you disrespect. You can't hide the truth indefinitely. The ad hoc committee is a joke and only there to put out the spotfires.

To SICK OF wrote on Mar 8, 2008 7:52 AM:You are right! It is a losing battle to get PPH to do what it promised to do downtown. PPH wanted a zoning change in the ERTC so it said it would build a wonder medical village downtown. PPH and the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Read it here on the City's website: www.ci.escondido.ca.us/depts/cd/planning/ertc/final-mou.pdf Skip to Exhibit C on page 24. A remodel of the Grandesco building is not a West Office Building. In fact, there is not West Office Building on PPH's current plan. Instead, there is an East Office Building noted as part of Phase II. The great news is that the June 2007 request never happened, so traffic will not be screwed up by this boondoggle.

Took a Vacation wrote on Mar 8, 2008 7:56 AM:I took a vacation last summer. Another one is scheduled for August. Get used to it. Better yet. Come out of the shadows. The community would be well served to find out who supports the abandonment to the downtown project.

Jim wrote on Mar 8, 2008 4:49 PM:Jerry rehashes tired arguments instead of facing the facts. This thing is a total mess and mere words will not fix it. PPH should get out of the business of running hospitals and let some professionals who know how to attract great doctors and quality patients take over. This group is no good at it. Just talk to anyone who works there. As for those bashing the Escondido Chamber, I don't know who you are but I agree. I had no choice but to quit the Chamber once I realized that they will put PPH first before the City and the businesses they claim to serve. They are PPH boosters first and foremost.

Incomplete New Hospital wrote on Mar 8, 2008 10:25 PM:Jerry should look at the plans for the new hospital available on the City's website: www.ci.escondido.ca.us/depts/cd/planning/pph/09-12-07.pdf Compare slides 5 and 6. Slides 6 is the current reality based on PPH's 10-year integrated finance plan. In 10 years, it everythings goes a planned, only what is in slide 6 will have been constructed (Phase I). PPH has had to 'delay' the construction of the Women's Center and the Hospital Support Building to 'save' money, i.e., divert funds to the cost overruns on the main structure. The Medical Office Building/Outpatient Services element has been cut off of the map! Talk about a 'Master Plan in Shambles'!

Lisa wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:23 PM:Now Now Jerry, let's do be careful of defamation of character of Mr. Vander Spek. He's simply pointing out some problems he & many sees with PPH's plans and possible hidden adjenda with taxpayers money on Prop BB. It might be possible that he's right about these things or I might say 'thou protest too much'! A little worried Mr. Kaufman? Hmmmm I wonder why you chose to attack him personally in such a public forum.

No Money Left wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:44 PM:Mr. Kaufman states... "Palomar Pomerado continues to acquire property that will eventually have a major impact on both the existing facilities and the entire downtown Hospital District." What he forgot to mention is that PPH doesn't have any money budgeted for the improvements even if they own the properties. This also means no money for the promised upgrades to PMC East. Stick to the facts! PPH is all talk and no action.

to "Sick of...."at 11:47pm wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:10 AM:THANK YOU for stating what the majority of us are thinking! obsession isn't wally's only problem these days. he's dug such a deep grave for himself with this issue that i'm not sure how his reputation in the community will rebound after this. i was aware he had a track record but didn't predict it would progress in a continuous downward sprial.if he wants to make a fool out of himself, he will continue with his ridiculous campaign.