Editor, I would like to make a few comments, to what was an otherwise excellent story by Emily Mibach.
The Sequoia Healthcare District(SHD) has budgeted $12,500,000 for tax revenue in FY2018/2019. Of that amount, >$4,000,000 will subsidize school districts within the SHD. That local subsidy, if warranted, should be extended to other school districts in the county. It has been my position for the past several years, that an election should be held so voters can decide whether the county’s two healthcare districts should be dissolved or expanded countywide. That is consistent with both LAFCo and Grand Jury recommendations, and would resolve the school funding issue.
Emily’s reference to “pro-district” candidates is apropos. And, in that context, they benefited from the district’s mailing of the Annual Report 8 days before the election. Such timing of tax-funded mailings are proscribed by statute for state senator’s running for re-election. I have sought such statutes for all government agencies and incumbent candidates.
Emily’s reference to an “unflattering editorial” was, in fact, a “hit-piece” by Mark Simon, on Climate Online Redwood City. See: www.climaterwc.com Mark was hell-bent on making my reimbursements for health insurance premiums an issue in the election. He had requested and I provided details of my benefits. His “hit-piece” grossly understated my benefits, which he claimed was based upon “Hickey’s own assertions”. The first two comments on that “hit-piece” were from my opponent, Aaron Nayfack, and SHD CEO Pamela Kurtzman. I invite any attorney’s who might suggest a cause of action, to contact me.
