March 7, 2022 - Dear Editor: Last December I had surgery at Clovis Community Hospital Christmas week. I had some complications and found myself at the Fremont Emergency Dept on Christmas Eve Day. They took very good care of me and I was very happy I didn’t have to endure an ambulance ride down the hill. I’ve had many good experiences in the local ER over the years for both myself and various family members and I can’t imagine living in a town without an actual full emergency dept.

I can also say the same for the acute side of the hospital. In 2001 I had surgery at St Agnes and developed a serious staph infection. The surgeon wanted me to be re-admitted to St Agnes, but I refused. I was able to be admitted to Fremont Hospital and received all the care I needed over a number of days until I was out of danger. It made life much easier for my family to visit me each day and bring me home the evening I was released.

Please join me in voting yes on Measure O to build a new hospital so Mariposa can comply with the state law requiring new hospitals to meet earthquake standards by 2030.

Sincerely,
Frances Shell
Mariposa, CA