Not to Worry, Says Hospital CEO About Deficit
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SERVING EASTERN SHASTA, NORTHERN LASSEN, WESTERN MODOC & EASTERN SISKIYOU COUNTIES 70 Cents Per Copy Vol. 45 No. 28 Burney, California Telephone (530) 335-4533 FAX (530) 335-5335 Internet: im-news.com E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 Not to worry, says hospital CEO about defi cit Directors are grim face as fi rst 2 months show expenses outpacing revenues by $216,000 BY MEG FOX we will need our people in place to employees and performing more There is no reason to overextend ment. All our costs are up,” said With revenues down at Mayers cope with ill health in the commu- discerning pre-employment physi- backs or knees,” she said. board member Jim Hamlin. Memorial Hospital for the second nity,” Fikes said. cals to be sure that the people hired In other fi nancial discussion, “Where we used to spend one consecutive month - $181,000 less The directors had grim faces as are physically capable of doing the Fikes noted that the physicians’ dollar and get $1.25 back, now in August than was expected – and they listened to the various reasons job. fees went up when the doctors we’re spending $1.25 and getting no relief anticipated in September, why their year-to-date budget is “We’ve also got to be more dili- with Intermountain Family Practice 95 cents back,” said Fikes, to illus- CEO Jerry Fikes assured his board $216,000 in the red, including an gent about the No-Lift policy,” Fikes signed on with Mountain Valleys trate the problem. that business historically gets better unanticipated $10,000 per month said. Health Center. In the ongoing effort to cut costs, in October and to hang tight. increase in Worker’s Compensation In her report to the board Skilled As a result of the change they Mayers is canceling its contract with Hospital census numbers are premiums and late reimbursement Nursing Director Emily Davidson- renegotiated a new contract “long Lake District Hospital in Lakeview, low and will likely stay low through from the state for ancillary services. Taylor said she was coordinating a after our budget was approved.” Ore. the month, he said at the Sept. 17 The hospital currently has 31 team to review injury prevention. Also, the state has lowered its Lake has been providing a certi- meeting in Burney. open Workers Comp claims, at least If on-the-job injuries are a result reimbursement rate for skilled nurs- fi ed technician to do lower extremity “The temptation is to make cuts 20 of which have a lifetime medical of not following policy, the hospital ing by $1.17 per day and frozen it Ultra Sound, but Fikes said Mayers to get even with that which is lost. benefi t. plans to take disciplinary action. for two years. annual cost was more than $10,000 But I think we need to be patient Fikes said the hospital is look- “We’re getting serous about this. “It doesn’t seem possible that over revenue for the service that and understand that in October and ing at physical fi tness training for We have the (lifting) equipment. they could lower our reimburse- they can no longer afford to pro- November the trend (reverses) and vide. Tight turn on the dirt What’s Happening Teachers Here In Days Ahead upset with Lions fundraiser The Fall River Lions Club will lower than host a rummage sale Satur- day from 8 a.m. to noon at the expected Lions Hall in McArthur. Day Road potluck pay plan The Day Road monthly pot- BY MEG FOX luck for September is set for Teachers in the Fall River Joint Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. Unifi ed School District are not clap- at the Day Community Center, ping their hands in glee over money located at the north end of Day to be offered to them in negotiations as a one-time distribution of funds Road. Those attending are “to enhance their compensation.” urged to bring a dish to share It’s not what they have been and eating utensils. For more asking for as they’ve waited over information, telephone Sandi the past 30 months for the district to Shafer at 336-7380. negotiate a new contract with them. The school district recently Awana clubs received a one-time $43,000 return Awana clubs for youth are of surplus contributions held for several years by the Shasta-Trinity scheduled to begin today at the Joint Powers Association, which Intermountain Baptist Church, provides insurance coverage for telephone 335-5414, and held this and other school districts. each Wednesday from 6:30-8 During a special board session p.m. Sept. 16, the board met in closed session and agreed to add $64,972 from the General Fund to the JPA Boosters sought allocation. The Burney Boosters Club is They plan to offer a share of the having its annual membership total $108,600 to district employees drive in support of the students on a Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) of Burney Junior-Senior High basis to enhance their compensa- School. Membership dues tion for 2003-2004, according to are $10 per person. Mail Supt. Eric Newton. your check with your name, NEWS PHOTO / Meg Fox There are currently 163.76 FTE address, phone number, e- certifi cated, classifi ed, confi dential, Tera Strickland and her horse make their way around barrel in Saturday high school rodeo and administrative employees in the mail address, and the names competition held at the Inter-Mountain fairgrounds. For more photographs and story on the of any of your children who district who would receive $663.16 attend BHS to Susan Ayers, weekend event, see page 6. through the allocation. “The teachers are very upset and Treasurer, Burney Boosters outraged with the board’s decision Club, 37571 Mountain View to offer $52,721 of the $108,600 to Rd., Burney 96013. Dues can teachers as a one-time payment. also be dropped off at the BHS “We feel the board has not ful- offi ce or paid at any home Hopes, dreams sought for action plan fi lled their commitment to make games. The next meeting is Residents are invited to bring plan. p.m., at the Burney Chamber Gar- raising teachers’ salaries a prior- Oct. 8. their hopes and dreams for the The fi rst meeting is at 7 p.m. dens on Main Street. –Please See Page 4 Intermountain area to two town hall Thursday, Sept. 25, at Ingram Hall Having a plan not only gets meetings planned in McArthur and on the Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds things done, but would increase the WEATHER Burney. in McArthur. area’s eligibility for grant funding, Some 33,000 The meetings are the start for The second meeting is at 7 p.m. said Barbara Briggs, vice-president FORECAST developing a new community action Thursday, Oct. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 –Please See Page 3 Today, mostly sunny with highs attend this 71 to 86. Lows 33 to 48. Thurs- day, mostly clear with highs 71 Bulldog blur year’s fair to 86. Friday through Sat- More than 33,000 people urday, mostly clear with lows on Raider turf attended the Inter-Mountain Fair in 35 to 45 and highs 75 to 85. A Burney pass falls short of McArthur over Labor Day weekend. Sunday and Monday, partly “It was a great fair,’ said Manager cloudy. Lows 31 to 42 and its mark Friday night in varsity Dennis Hoffman. highs 65 to 75. A current fore- contest between the Fall River Attendance was up slightly over cast is updated about 4 a.m. Bulldogs and Raiders at the last year and concessions were up and 4 p.m. daily on The News Gene Pisenti fi eld. Fall River 22 percent. web site at im-news.com. won the battle, 18-8, coming The concessionaires grossed from behind an 8-6 defi cit at more than $134,000, Hoffman said, TEMPERATURES attributing the increased sales to Hi Low Rain the half. The varsity Bulldogs the possibility that people stayed Sept. 22 93 36 are now 3-1 in preseason closer to home this summer and Sept. 21 90 34 play while Burney drops to saved their money for the fair. Sept. 20 87 33 0-4. Fall River will host Los More people also camped at the Sept. 19 82 34 Molinos Friday with the fi rst fair this year, with 135 units rented on the grounds. Sept. 18 81 28 game beginning at 5:30 p.m. All of the shows were sell-outs, Sept. 17 72 36 Burney is not scheduled to including the popular Saturday night Sept. 16 73 50 play Friday, while Big Valley concert by country music star Aaron Courtesy of Darryl Jones in Burney will travel to Bishop Quinn Tippin. The Intermountain News High School in Palo Cedro for “The concert could not have P.O. Box 1030 a Saturday afternoon game; been better. People are still talking about it,” Hoffman said. 36965 Main Street the junior varsity clash begin- Burney, California 96013 And as summer ended, Hoffman Open: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm ning at noon. already has next year’s event in NEWS PHOTO / Craig Harrington mind. HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY DELIVERED TO YOUR MAIL BOX. CALL 335-4533 TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY! PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 • THE INTERMOUNTAIN NEWS SHERIFF’S LOG BOOK A Fall River Mills caller reported a drunken subject west of vista point between ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ the Shasta County sheriff’s Sept. 19 – 157 reported her 15-year-old son was refusing to leave when Fall River Mills and Pit One A Burney area embezzle- offi ce throughout the unincor- Sept.