While reading all of the articles in this paper and others about Measure I, there seems to be a lot of biased opinions noted. I then re-read some of the article and found the quotes from Benzeevi, Bell and her son just to be more of the “smoke and mirrors” campaign they’ve been relying on to confuse the voting public. When you combine these biased, dishonest comments with the huge volume of Yes on I propaganda we’ve received in the mail, you begin to wonder “why are they pouring it on so hard? What are they trying to hide? And why do I need to mail the ballot in right now?”
It’s because they don’t want you to get all the facts so you can make an informed decision! How can the yes on I people afford these mailings? Is it because a large number of citizens support the measure? No, it has come from a $250,000 donation from one person. Some of that money was then used to hire a PR firm to “work” the public to be in favor of Measure I.
Again…what are they trying to hide? And why all the scare tactics like saying the hospital will close otherwise? It won’t. It’s a cash cow for them right now. Or the absurd comment Benzeevi made a few weeks ago during our discussion in front of Starbucks (documented on Facebook). At that time, while walking by Benzeevi I asked him how he was going to live with himself afterwards. He replied “how are you going to live with yourself when people die?” People are not going to die and TRMC is not going to close. It’s just another blatant lie intended to make you think they will let the hospital close, when they have millions in reserve and every day they are making more money.
Please get the facts before you vote. And please do vote and mail in your ballot. It’s a very important issue! With a low turnout they are seeing, it’s so much more important that you get your ballot mailed before the deadline. Your vote really does matter!
Along with the fact that if Measure I passes it will mean increased taxes for homeowners and increases in rent, it means Benzeevi will be able to continue to “Stick It” to Tulare with his current $3 million a year salary with automatic raises for the 10 year contract that our hospital board signed years ago. An amount that is more than 3 times the salary of the CEO at Kaweah Delta! I think the real question that needs to be asked is: “Has there been collusion between the hospital board members and HCCA in the past? And if so, does the California Attorney General’s office need to investigate? I think a decision to give the hospital a $55 million dollar blank check right now with Measure I is just a bad idea.
I urge my fellow Tulare citizens to vote NO on Measure I. For the facts, please go to: hospitalaccountability.com
John C. Williams III
Citizen of Tulare