COUNTYWIDE : Anti-Clinic Group Says Rivals Broke Law

A group opposing a clinic planned at the Ventura County Medical Center accused a rival organization Friday of failing to comply with state campaign laws in filling out its financial disclosure statements.

The Community Memorial Hospital-sponsored group accused SMART, which stands for Saving Money as Responsible Taxpayers, of failing to identify its sponsor on two campaign finance statements.

Community Memorial put Measure X on the March 26 ballot in an attempt to derail the clinic project, which it views as a threat to its business. The referendum seeks to void the financing plan for the clinic.

An attorney representing the Community Memorial group, Taxpayers for Quality Health Care, sent a letter to SMART organizers Friday noting that more than 80% of the group’s contributions came from county employees and contractors. That means SMART is a sponsored committee and should list its sponsor on its campaign finance statements, the letter said.

“We need to remind the proponents [SMART] of Proposition X that their group is campaigning just like anybody else and they have to pay attention to the laws,” said Doug Dowie, a consultant for Taxpayers for Quality Health Care.

Patricia Weinberger, SMART’s treasurer, said she believes she has complied with the law. Although county physicians make up most of the group’s contributors, she said they are not official sponsors.

“We’re just a group of people that don’t want to see anything happen to this vital part of Ventura County,” she said.

But Dowie said it is important to note that county employees have a financial stake in Measure X because they are paid by the county.

Weinberger said she followed the instructions she was given when she filled out the campaign disclosure statements.

“If I’ve violated any laws, I’ll take care of it,” she said. “I’m a law-abiding citizen.”

Dowie said his client will wait for a response from Weinberger’s group before deciding what action it will take.