The Problem With Measure C

Measure C

To prevent the closure of our community’s only hospital and emergency room, to replace the 50-year-old hospital with a modern and environmentally-sensitive facility that can withstand a major earthquake and efficiently deliver quality healthcare and lifesaving emergency services, and to acquire the Leveroni site at Fifth Street West and Smith Street, shall the Sonoma Valley Health Care District issue $148 million in bonds with proceeds used exclusively for a local hospital and with independent fiscal oversight?

( It will be answered on the mail-in ballot with a yes or no vote )

The Problem with Measure C is not the intent to build a new hospital, but the way the proponents propose to do it.

"Citizens Against Measure C" do not support the disregard for expressed voter sentiment, and the complete dismissal to fairly investigate more practical alternatives to achieve a healthy solution.

Supporters of “Citizens Against Measure C” are disturbed by the misinformation floated by the Measure’s supporters and in particular by what amounts to threats to close the hospital if they don’t get their way. The Argument filed against the Measure makes it plain:

“Sonoma Valley Hospital will not close if Measure C fails. The Sonoma Valley Heath Care District Board and its supporters are employing scare tactics.”

Facts about Measure C:

1. An important consideration for property owners and
particularly people on fixed-incomes as stated in the filed Argument is:

“The proposed bond is not a parcel tax, which is a flat annual charge. The Board's best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund the bond issue is $77.54 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The exact tax burden is unknown due to unpredictable economic forces.”

2. The Board has repeatedly refused to conduct a fair and independent study of alternative options.

3. The studies and surveys used to select the Leveroni site were deeply flawed and the results were manipulated.

4. It is untrue that the existing hospital cannot be retrofitted. State seismic officials will support extending the useful life of our hospital. Other hospitals including Santa Rosa Memorial have been upgraded and retrofitted.

5. And, it is untrue that a retrofit must lead to major disruption of medical services, or the departure of doctors and nurses, or overwhelming financial losses. Good hospital management can prevent these occurrences.

6. Another factor for voters to realize is that the taking of the Leveroni family’s land and using it for development of any kind goes against the Urban Growth Boundary which was approved handily a few years ago by voters in the City of Sonoma:

“Measure C contradicts the expressed desire of voters to protect the unique agricultural character of Sonoma valley and to prevent urban sprawl.”

7. It is untrue that Sonoma Valley Hospital must close if Measure C is defeated. The Hospital Board and management are using scare tactics to frighten their own employees and the community.

8. Measure C will saddle Sonoma Valley property owners with a $148,000,000 tax burden for the next 30 years. For this kind of money, don't you want to see the most viable and practical solution for our community?

Do not support the Hospital Board’s throw-away mentality and threatened use of eminent domain to seize farmland from the Leveroni family.

Support the preservation of farmland and maintain the rural character of Sonoma Valley. Measure C will promote urban sprawl.

Defeat Measure C and open the door to better solutions for health care in Sonoma Valley.

Vote No on Measure C.