Tehachapi News

Rodeo association donates to hospital foundation

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The Tehachapi Valley Rodeo Association donated $5,000 to the Tehachapi Hospital Foundation on Aug. 31.

Association chairman Dal Bunn presented the check to the hospital foundation during an outdoor evening reception at City Slickers Restaurant and Saloon.

Bunn said part of the rodeo association's charter calls for the donation of some profits to local operations. He called giving the money to the hospital foundation a “greater cause than just putting on a rodeo.”

“We didn't feel there was anybody in this valley that didn't deserve a first-class medical facility,” Bunn said. “We felt compelled to giving to the new hospital.”

Hospital Foundation Vice-Chair Don Daniels said he was “thrilled with the new partnership,” which will now see the rodeo association and hospital proponents working together.

“They are friends with a lot of energy,” he said. “This will revitalize things, hopefully.”

Jeff Kermode, Tehachapi's chief of police and the rodeo association's treasurer, called the event “a great partnership.”

“Both groups are stronger now because of it,” Kermode said.

Kermode said the rodeo association earned its profits from local-business donations and rodeo event sales.

“It allowed us to throw a little money their way,” he said.

Hospital renderings unveiled to healthcare board

Tehachapi Hospital staff members participated in sets of two-day meetings to offer input on the design of the city's prospective new hospital, Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District C.E.O. Alan Burgess said. During a TVHD board meeting on Aug. 19, some of the results of those meetings were put into motion. Literally.

SWA Architects Sr. Principal Stephen Wen unveiled an animated artist rendering of what the new hospital could look like if it's built. “It's a world of difference between this architect and the one before it,” board secretary Bill Steele said.

The board also voted to increase the funding for board of director travel allowances $2,500 per director per year.

Steele suggested the $2,500 be available not only for travel purposes, but also for educational services that may not require traveling.

Burgess said the money would be used to send directors to educational seminars.