Council to Be Polled About Measure O
Councilman Jim Friedman will ask the Ventura City Council to take a stand on Measure O, which would transfer $260 million in tobacco settlement funds from the county to private hospitals.
“This has the potential to have a profound effect,” Friedman said. “I feel it’s important for the City Council to make a decision.”
Friedman said because Ventura is home to both Community Memorial Hospital and Ventura County Medical Center, the two main hospital adversaries in the tobacco money fight, the council should take a position. He wants the council to oppose the measure.
Friedman acknowledged a vote could put Councilman Jim Monahan, a supervisorial candidate who has drawn flak recently for not taking a stand on the issue, in a difficult position, but said it is too serious not to bring up.
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