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Jul 28
2009
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Valerie BrownPosted by Bruce Robinson in policy , legislation , healthcare , Health , government , finances , economy |
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Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown is also a national leader, as the new president of the National Association of Counties.

California's economy is frequently said to be the sixth or seventh largest in the world. That, says Valerie Brown, often leads elected officials from elsewhere in the United States to view the Golden State with somewhat mixed feelings.

Valerie Brown (far right) was part of a March 6 meeting in which new Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (foreground, at head of table) discussed mutual cooperation between the USDA and the National Association of Counties in Washington, DC.
Other states may not share California's budget woes, at least to the same degree, but they are watching how events unfold here, including the special election on May 19. Supervisor Brown is also warily awaiting the judgment of the voters, fearing that the outcome will not be good news for Sonoma County.

Health Care reform and a forward-looking energy policy are not competing subjects in need of Congressional action, but interlocking national priorities, said speakers at a Santa Rosa rally yesterday.


The planned $176 million, 70 bed hospital would have barely half the 135 beds at the current Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa, still known to long-time locals as Community Hospitlal (right). Such downsizing could rupture the delicate balance among local hospitals regarding who cares for the poor and uninsured patients in the area, says Dr.Gary Greensweig, Director of Medicine for St. Josephs' Healthcare of Sonoma County. He notes that the existing Sutter facilites now provide about 30% of that car, and their Health Care Access Agreeement with the county, the contract that Sutter accepted when they first came to Sonoma County, stipulates that the same level of care be maintained.




The continuing rise in cancer rates in America is proof that conventional treatment methods are ineffective, contends an advocate for alternative health methodologies who says both approaches should be integrated to achieve the best results.
Burton Goldberg is hosting a public workshop on dealing with cancer (This illustration is an electron microscopic photograph of a single breast cancer cell) and integrative medicine at the Steele Lane Community Center, 415 Steele Lane in Santa Rosa from 1-4 pm on Saturday, June 20. In addition to presenting a film and lecture on these new therapies, Goldberg will be joined by two additional speakers, Dr. James Forsythe, a Reno oncologist and Dr. Filberto Munoz from the Instituto Medico Biologico in San Diego and Tijuana. Information at (707) 322-3822 or vajraproductions@gmail.com.