March 26, 2022 - At their last meeting, the Mariposa County Republican Central Committee President Richard Westfall announced they are endorsing Measure O to build a replacement hospital. The executive committee met after the previous meeting when they heard a presentation from Suzette Prue, Co-Chair of the Citizens To Save The Hospital Committee. The John C. Fremont Healthcare District has to build a new hospital by 2030 to comply with new earthquake standards. Statewide small hospitals are scrambling to fund these projects and many are resorting to tax measures. If a new hospital isn’t built, the state will revoke a license to operate on January 1, 2030.

At the same meeting Jeremy Briese gave an impassioned speech about the necessity of a local hospital to save lives. He reminded everyone about Deputy Rudy Mirelez being shot and Fremont Emergency Department staff stopping the bleeding and stabilizing him so he could be flown to Modesto for surgery. He also citied emergency care people receive for snakebites and children being hurt. “You can’t just fly in a helicopter to a city hospital. You have to have the pre-care at Fremont or you won’t need the helicopter,” said Briese.

The local Democrats have also joined the bandwagon of support for the June 7 ballot measure. Both the Mariposa County Democratic Central Committee and the Mariposa Democratic Club endorsed the measure at the recent meetings. Club President Kim Monson said they are also organizing an April event so the public can learn more about Measure O and ask questions. Details will soon be announced. In announcing the vote from the Democratic Central Committee, Chair Steve Smallcombe said. “We need our hospital”.

The Citizens to Save the Hospital Committee formed last year, wrote an ordinance, collected 1,706 signatures on their petition, had the signatures verified by County Clerk Keith Williams, and finally had it approved by the Board of Supervisors to place it on the June ballot. The vote from the Supervisors was unanimous.

Committee Co-Chair Beth Tomsick said, “We have to keep healthcare in Mariposa and keep all jobs it provides people.” She can often be seen in front of local businesses talking to voters about the issue.

File photo: John C. Fremont Hospital

Source: Mariposa County Republican Central Committee