Inland edition, july 3, 2015

Page 1

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94

The Coast News

INLAND EDITION

VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO

VOL. 2, N0. 14

.com

JULY 3, 2015

Hobby Lobby set to open in August By Aaron Burgin

The Highlander Ray McNeil spins and throws a weighted ball in the heavy weight toss event during the annual two-day San Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans at Vista’s Brengle Terrace Park last weekend. See more photos on page 12. Photo by Tony Cagala

Palomar Health to close downtown campus By Ellen Wright

ESCONDIDO — The Palomar Health Board of Directors voted to close the Palomar Health Downtown Campus on East Valley Parkway at a special meeting on June 24. The board spent three hours in closed session to discuss the shut down. Board members decided to close the hospital because they said there isn’t enough money to make major infrastructure improvements. “I can assure you first and foremost as I’ve said throughout the entire process, was this the right recommendation for the right reasons at the right time? Yes,” Robert Hemker, president and CEO of Palomar Health said. The services will be consolidated to the downtown Palomar Medical Center on West Citracado Parkway and to Pomerado Hospital in Poway. Inpatient rehabilitation and labor and delivery services will move to the new Palomar Medical Center. Hemker said Palomar Health will move some staff to the other hospitals where there is a match and provide training to those who need it to continue on at the new hospitals. Not all of the 850 staff members will be relocated. “In the event (relocation is) not available to certain individuals, we will obviously work with them in terms of helping them identify where their skills can be applied and where they can be committed individuals at their new organizations,” Hemker said. Paul Neustein, M.D., Pomerado Hospital chief of staff supported the decision. He sits on the capital allocations committee, which prioritizes which equipment to buy. “The committee has become a theoretical committee because we aren’t able to purchase anything because there is no money available,” Neustein said. Hospital executives said the

SAN MARCOS — The county’s first Hobby Lobby is set to open in San Marcos in August, the company said in a news release. The Oklahoma-based craft and home decor store is set to occupy 58,000 square feet of the former Lowe’s building in the Creekside Marketplace, part of a city-funded renovation of the space that will now house Hobby Lobby and a WinCo grocery store. “We are excited to bring our unique store to the community. Customers new to Hobby Lobby are pleasantly surprised at the size of the store as well as the crafts and home decor selection of merchandise we carry. Shopping at Hobby Lobby is a truly unrivaled experience in value and service,” said John TURN TO STORE ON 14

Vallecitos refinances bond debt Move will save ratepayers million By Aaron Burgin

Residents against the closure hold up signs reading, “We demand August 10 and Safe Staffing.” They hoped the board would postpone the decision to give them more time to gather information. Photo by Ellen Wright

closure could save Palomar Health $20 million a year. The board spent $1 billion on the Citracado campus, which was opened in 2012. In 2004, more than two thirds of voters approved Proposition BB, which allowed the hospital to take out nearly $500 million in bonds. Some staff and residents spoke against the closure, because they felt the decision was intentionally rushed. “Our community has not been properly informed,” said Escondido resident Armando Telles. “We have residents here that are going to be coming to this facility but yet (services will) not be provided.” Hospital staff announced the discussions for the closure on June 11. Four community meetings TURN TO CLOSURE ON 14

The Palomar Health Board of Directors vote to close the Palomar Health downtown campus at a meeting on June 24.

SAN MARCOS — Coming off the heels of good news from credit rating agencies, Vallecitos Water District announced it has refinanced its bond debt and saved ratepayers $3.47 million in the process. The district took advantage of historically low rates for tax-exempt municipal bonds and its strong credit rating to refinance the district’s $45.4 million in bond debt. The district is scheduled to pay down half of that debt in the next 10 years and currently has no plans to take on any additional debt. “Refinancing these bonds allows us to save millions of dollars in interest over the life of the bonds. That’s a significant step in ensuring a TURN TO DEBT ON 14


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