Commentary

November 26th, 2009

Outrageous
by lyle e davis

That’s the first word that came to mind when I read about His Eminence, Michael Rene Covert, having been able to con the Palomar Pomerado Health Board of Trustees into coughing up $736,000 a year.

I had to pause to wipe a tear away from my eyes as I contemplated poor Mr. Covert struggling to live on $676,000, his prior puny wage. I just don’t know how he did it, poor guy. There are those who propose tarring and feathering Mr. Covert . . . saying he’s taking way more than his fair share from the public treasury. Others say the tarring and feathering ought to include the board members as well.

Not me.

Nope. The public had a chance to elect board members who had some sense of fiscal responsibility . . . who wouldn’t give away the store. And they just didn’t care.

So, His Eminence, Mr. Covert is stuck with figuring out creative ways to spend $753,000 per year. And the board? They will be busy playing their fiddles while Rome, er, North San Diego County, burns.

Um . . . it’s the employees that make Palomar Medical Center what it is. How much of a raise did they get?
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I see the city of Escondido is going to be considering whether to loosen downtown zoning restrictions so that Hookah Smoking Lounges will be allowed.

That’s just what we need! Our City Fathers and Mommies letting a business open where people can come in and inhale flavored tobacco. What a great message! What an idea! All the other restaurants don’t allow smoking (Hooray!) but this type of business, if allowed, will not only allow it but promote it.

I trust the sage wisdom of our elected officials will quickly dispose of this item.
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I love Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler. Have for years. Even when we disagreed, I still loved her.

So what’s with her not returning phone calls anymore? Yes, we’re friends . . . but I’m also the editor of a local, community newspaper, her community; we are the eyes and ears of the community. When our Mayor does not return her phone calls, not only does lil ol’ Lyle feel slighted . . . but he’s concerned that his readers are not getting information from its elected leaders.

It is probably not the wisest thing for an elected official to do; ignoring the media. You can ignore friends, I guess. But the media has a job to do and so do you.
•••••
Bravo to the Escondido Police Department for their consistent DUI checks. We’ve taken a lot of unlicensed drivers off the road, a lot of inebriated drivers, and impounded a number of vehicles to help drive the point home. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. If you don’t have a license, don’t drive. If you are not a legal resident of this country, don’t drive. Go home.
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What’s with the ad hoc committee created by the Escondido City Council for the purpose of meeting and conferring with Palomar Pomerado Hospital?

Why are these secret meetings? The public’s business ought to be done publicly. When was the last time the ad hoc committee reported to the City Council as to the subject matter of the meetings and accomplishments, if any. And, if that report was given in closed session, when was the public given a summary of actions taken? We need sunshine in our city government. A secret ad hoc committee with no controls placed on it can be a dangerous thing. I don’t care for government where we don’t know what’s going on.