Tehachapi News

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In response to last week’s Tehachapi News article on the new hospital development, I think a number of issues need to be clarified.

First of all on a personal note, I did not decide as project manager to resign prematurely “after just four months” because the hospital development was not going along with my “original intent” as implied. I made it clear to the TVHD Board chairman last October (not “December” as the News states) that I could personally only afford to work on this full-time effort for no more than six months because I had other obligations such as my art business starting in April of this year.

I offered to put in whatever effort was needed to help get the project moving through OSHPD and enlighten the Board and community as to the real situation on the project but only until the springtime whether we were actually to the point of beginning construction or not. That six-month commitment was independent of any positive or negative findings on the project or what the TVHD Board’s decision might ultimately be. I’ve tried to be as fair and balanced as possible in presenting all the information I could find from the state or industry experts on what it takes to develop a new hospital these days, and what the risk level and cost would actually be for an admittedly novel “prototype” hospital design and construction concept.

— John Hicks

Editor’s note: The News reported John Hicks resignation as it was announced in public meetings. The timing of events surrounding that particular public announcement, or any other such information, was intended to provide a sequence of events, not to imply or suggest anyone’s personal motivations or state of mind. We regret any distress this may have caused Mr. Hicks and appreciate his cooperation. Mr. Hicks has also graciously written his own detailed timeline, which can be viewed in it’s entirety at www.tehachapinews.com.