Hospital chief's words widen Oakdale split on bond measure

CEO's words add to town split, folks say

By RICHARD T. ESTRADA
restrada@modbee.com

last updated: July 30, 2008 12:25:24 PM

OAKDALE -- Alice Garcia was born and raised in Oakdale, and the 72-year-old remains here because she appreciates the sense of unity her town often displays.

Now Garcia says she lives in a town divided, not only by a proposed $27 million hospital bond but also by the chief executive officer's strategy to dissuade Republican voters from taking part in the election.

"I couldn't believe there was a plan to limit Republican voters," she said. "This should have been a nonpolitical issue, your party shouldn't matter, but not now."

Garcia was one of 30 people at a town hall meeting Tuesday, an effort by Oak Valley Hospital to explain to voters why a bond is needed to build a new hospital.

This is the second time in four months the hospital is trying to persuade voters to approve a $27 million bond. Measure O failed by 1 percent in April, and ballots for Measure Q began arriving in voters' mailboxes Tuesday. The bond needs 66 percent of the vote to pass.

What has incensed the community, those for and against Q, are comments from Oak Valley Hospital CEO John Friel that were in The Bee on Monday:

"The November ballot is going to have the half-cent transportation tax, the gay-lesbian issue and a state tax measure," said Friel, whose hospital is managed by Catholic Healthcare West. "The gay- lesbian thing, we know the sort of voter that will attract, and those aren't voters who would vote for this bond."

The state measure on whether gays should be allowed to marry, Friel said, will persuade "more Republicans than ever" to vote.

"Republicans are the ones who will vote no on Q. They vote no on every tax and bond, so it's not in our best interest to put this on the November ballot," he added. "Democrats are the ones we can count on to vote with us, and they are the voters we're targeting."

Friel did not deny the accuracy of those comments Tuesday, but told the crowd they were taken out of context. He has apologized to the Oak Valley Hospital Foundation, the hospital's fund-raising arm, a board member said.

"I am very disappointed with Mr. Friel's comments, but he has apologized to (the foundation)," said Dan Titus, a civic booster and Measure Q supporter. "I hope to keep emotion out of this election and focus on what matters -- we need a new hospital."

Some of Measure Q's most influential supporters met before the meeting to discuss strategy involving the election and how to overcome the controversy.

The majority of business leaders say they favor Measure Q and are personally and financially committed. Because of the nature of Friel's comments, they were reluctant Tuesday to speak on the record.

Two supporters did tell The Bee their group remains united in its effort and that they disagree with Friel's comments. There is a definite split, they added, regarding Friel's leadership, with some people wanting him fired and others wanting him to stay.

Bee staff writer Rich Estrada can be reached at restrada@modbee.com or 578-2300.

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