Additional Endorsement from Cities Association of Santa Clara County Rounds Out New Support

LOS ALTOS – Today, the No on Measure M campaign announced the endorsements of both the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County citing Measure M as flawed and damaging to operations at El Camino Hospital. The news comes at a crucial time for the campaign as it continues to add to a growing list of endorsements in recent days. With a wide range of support of elected officials, local governments, and news media, both new endorsers exemplify a credible backing of the region’s business and leadership communities.

Representing 1,500 members as a leading voice of business since 1886, the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce voted in resounding fashion to oppose Measure M on the November 6ballot.

“After looking into issue, the Chamber agrees that Measure M is an irresponsible piece of legislation that will jeopardize future operations at El Camino Hospital,” said Pat Sausedo, Vice President, Public Policy and Communications. “Measure M does nothing to improve health care in our region, and we are urging voters to vote ‘no’.”

Formed in 1990, the Cities Association of Santa Clara County stands as a unified voice featuring elected officials of the 15 cities in Santa Clara County. As advocates for good public policy and the enhancement of the quality of life, the association’s board of directors recommended a ‘no’ vote on Measure M at their most recent meeting on October 11.  

“Receiving the backing of both the SJ/SV Chamber of Commerce and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County sends a very loud message to the business community and to the voters who have relied on the opinions of these organizations for decades,” said David Reeder, member of the No on Measure M campaign. “Our support comes from all walks of the community – all with the understanding that Measure M will have a negative effect on residents throughout the district, whether is businesses, patients and workers at El Camino Hospital.

About: Measure M is a ballot measure for the upcoming November 6election asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino and Palo Alto.

San Jose Mercury News among the campaign’s biggest endorsements to date

LOS ALTOS – Today, the No on Measure M campaign announced the endorsements of the San Jose Mercury News, the Mountain View Voice and the Los Hills Town Council. With only two weeks left until Election Day, the announcement comes at an important time for the campaign as it gains its most important endorsements to date. The endorsements of the San Jose Mercury News, the Mountain View Voice and the previous endorsement of the Los Altos Town Crier, round out the trifecta of the local newspapers who cover the El Camino Hospital District.

“And for the Most Irresponsible Local Ballot Measure of 2012, the award goes to Measure M,” stated the Editorial of the San Jose Mercury News. “It’s not just that this turkey may be illegal, it’s a bad idea.”

“The editorial from the San Jose Mercury News confirms what our campaign has been talking about to voters over past few months and sends a strong message that Measure M is potentially illegal, unnecessary and that operations at El Camino Hospital could suffer as a consequence,” said Russell W. Melton, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee. “Having the support of the Mercury News is huge for our campaign.”

In similar fashion, the Mountain View Voice also opined on Measure M, urging its readers to vote against the initiative. “We hope the voters in the El Camino Hospital District will see Measure M for what it is, [that it] will prevent hiring the best-qualified executives to run the hospital,” said the editorial. “The district would be forced to hire an executive with experience running a much smaller hospital, perhaps with revenues far below El Camino’s.”

Additionally, last Thursday evening, the Los Altos Hills Town Council unanimously voted to endorse No on Measure M, adding itself to the list of city councils in the El Camino Hospital District who support the campaign. “It is a ridiculous proposition and it should be defeated soundly,” said Councilmember Jean Mordo. “We support a ‘no’ vote on Measure M.”

“Los Altos Hills is a major portion of the El Camino Hospital District and whose support we will need in order for us to be victorious on Election Day,” said Melton. “Our coalition of supporters spans all corners of the district, but we know that having the Town Council’s backing in Los Altos Hills speaks to voters in a powerful way.”

About: Measure M is a ballot measure for the upcoming November 6election asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino and Palo Alto.

We hope voters in the El Camino Hospital District will see Measure M for what it is — a vindictive strike by a disgruntled union that, if legal, will prevent hiring the best-qualified executives to run the district. Read more

And now, for Most Irresponsible Local Ballot Measure of 2012, the award goes to Measure M — the initiative to limit executive compensation at El Camino Hospital to twice the governor’s salary, or $330,000 a year. Read more

Recent Endorsers Include Supervisor Liz Kniss and 15 Former Los Altos Mayors

LOS ALTOS – Today, the No on Measure M campaign announced the endorsement of Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss as well as Los Altos Mayor Val Carpenter and 15 former mayors from the City of Los Altos. With only 25 days until Election Day, the unified backing of key current and former elected leaders comes at an important moment for the campaign as absentee ballots were mailed out to voters last Tuesday.

Kniss, whose District (5th) encompasses a majority of the El Camino Hospital District, stated that the Measure would set a bad precedent by asking voters to reduce the authority of the Hospital’s elected Board of Directors. “Measure M is being used to undermine the electoral process,” said Kniss. “I do not favor ballot-box budgeting and encourage the residents of the El Camino Hospital District to elect Board members they feel will appropriately represent their community needs and values.”

“Supervisor Kniss has been a political stalwart and leader in our community for nearly 30 years,” said David Reeder, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee and a former Mayor of Los Altos. “Having the validation of someone of her stature is a tremendous benefit to the thousands of voters who know and trust her.”

Also, in a rare showing, the current mayor and 15 former mayors of Los Altos cited Measure M as misleading and agreed that it will ultimately have an adverse effect on the community hospital.

“In many ways, Election Day begins now,” said Reeder. “Having the backing of such a prestigious list of leaders in our community couldn’t come at a better time for our campaign.

 “We’re projecting that we will do very well in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills on Election Day,” continued Reeder. “Having the support of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and City Council and former elected officials means a great deal to voters – we’re delighted to have them on board.

Current and Former Mayors of Los Altos Who Endorse No on Measure M:

Val Carpenter (Mayor, ‘11-‘12)
Ron Packard (Mayor, ’05-’06; ‘10-‘11)
Louis Becker (Mayor, ’98-’99)
Marge Bruno (Mayor, ’88-’89)
David Casas (Mayor, ’04-’05; ’09-’10)
Curtis Cole (Mayor, ’06-’07)
Roger Eng, Sr. (Mayor, ’81-’82; ’86-’87)
Bob Grimm (Mayor, ’79-’80)
Francis LaPoll (Mayor, ’96-’97; ’01-’02)
King Lear (Mayor, ’00-’01)
John Moss (Mayor, ’03-’04)
Jane Reed (Mayor, ’87)
David Reeder (Mayor, ’89-’90)
Megan Satterlee (Mayor, ’08-’09)
Frank Verlot (Mayor, ’83-’84)

About: Measure M is a ballot measure for the upcoming November 6election asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino and Palo Alto.

Measure M, which would cap salaries of top El Camino Hospital executives, serves no purpose beyond being an act of vengeance by a service workers union that hit an impasse in contract negotiations. It’s a dangerous initiative that would essentially undermine the quality of our community hospital.

Read more

Key Endorsement Sends Loud Signal to Sunnyvale Residents on the Flaws of Measure M

SUNNYVALE – Today, the No on Measure M campaign announced the endorsement of the Sunnyvale City Council citing Measure M as harmful to its citizens. Representing over 30,000 registered voters – a large portion of the El Camino Hospital District – Tuesday night’s endorsement from the Sunnyvale City Council is a huge boost to the campaign as it continues to gain a wide range of support in recent days.

“This has an effect on the people of Sunnyvale,” said Councilmember Christopher R. Moylan. “From the city’s point of view, this (Measure M) would be a bad idea – the Council thinks this would hurt the city.”

The Sunnyvale City Council is the latest on a growing list of organizations, elected officials and community leaders who have endorsed the No on Measure M campaign, which recently includes the Los Altos City Council and Chamber of Commerce.

“The more we talk to voters about the flaws of Measure M, the larger our movement grows,” said Russell W. Melton, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee. “Tonight’s vote from the Sunnyvale City Council affirms to the people that Measure M will do immeasurable harm to their community hospital.”

“The city council tonight understood that we shouldn’t take away the responsibilities of the elected El Camino Hospital District Board of Directors,” said King Lear, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee. “They agree that Measure M violates the concept of representative government and is an arbitrary piece of legislation.”

As the campaign moves into full swing, volunteers have focused their efforts distributing signs throughout the District and educating voters on the real facts of Measure M. The work continues in anticipation of the mailing of absentee ballots to voters on October 8.

About: Measure M is a ballot measure for the upcoming November 6election asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of the Cupertino and Palo Alto.

The No on Measure M campaign has announced the endorsements of both the Los Altos City Council and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. Read more

Endorsements Demonstrate Unified Opposition To Measure M in Los Altos

LOS ALTOS – Today, the No on Measure M campaign announced the endorsements of both the Los Altos City Council and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce citing Measure M as misleading and unnecessary. The two endorsements signify a unified backing of the campaign from two of the most politically relied upon institutions in Los Altos.

“This measure would reduce the authority of the elected board and jeopardize the quality of health care at El Camino Hospital,” read the resolution that was passed unanimously by the Los Altos City Council. “We urge the voters of the El Camino Hospital District to vote NO on Measure M.”

Representing hundreds of businesses in Los Altos, the Chamber of Commerce -  in similar fashion – also unanimously voted to oppose Measure M. “Measure M is a bad idea and will hurt the future of the hospital, said David Bergman, Chairman of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. “We want to attract the best people.”

“Los Altos is a large portion of El Camino Hospital District electorate,” said Gary Kalbach, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee. “The endorsements of these two well-known entities confirm our message that Measure M will have lasting, harmful effects on our community.”

To coincide with the endorsements, the campaign is in full swing – with the opening of its campaign office in downtown Los Altos and the recent launch of its new website, www.protectelcaminohospital.com.

“Each day, we’re seeing an outpouring of support from all corners of the District,” said David Reeder, member of the campaign’s committee. “From families, to ex-patients, to supporters of the hospital, we’re building a strong organization – one that is educating voters of the negative consequences we will see if Measure M passes.”  

The Los Altos City Council and Chamber of Commerce are the latest on a growing list of organizations, elected officials and community leaders who have endorsed the No on Measure M campaign.

About: Measure M is a ballot measure for the upcoming November 6^th election asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of the Cupertino and Palo Alto.

We believe voters will see through this vindictive attack on executive pay at El Camino. The union is supposed to work out its grievances with El Camino in bargaining sessions with management, not at the ballot box. If voters approve this measure it will be a huge setback for labor peace at El Camino. Read more