Logan Jenkins: San Diego county Grand jury misses Tri-City jugular

By Logan Jenkins

Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 6 a.m.

A brick — the Less Than Grand Jury award — to the county grand jury for another review of North County’s Theater of the Absurd Hospital District.

This isn’t the grand jury’s first trip into Tri-City’s emergency room. A couple of years ago, it recommended an independent review of Tri-City’s governance. Tri-City’s response? Nope.

In its new report released Thursday, the grand jury asserts that an unidentified board member — that’s Kathleen Sterling — is the source of the board’s dysfunction but there’s no legal way to get rid of her short of a felony conviction (she’s been charged with bribery) or a recall.

The grand jury recommends three things: A “plan of action” to educate voters about the board, the hiring of a consultant to train new board members, and the development of a strategic plan for the future.

Let’s get real. Tri-City needs creative crisis intervention. The danger is that Sterling may do others or herself harm.

Here’s an idea: Invite her to write a report on the hospital’s management on the condition she resign. Promise her that an independent attorney will study it.

Someone needs to reach out and make a deal.
logan.jenkins@uniontrib.com

(760) 752-6756.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/27/grand-jury-misses-tri-city-jugular-da-spins-trash-/