Special Feature

March 20th, 2008

Late Breaking Developments Regarding Palomar Pomerado Health

Monday morning we received a call from Andy Hoang, Manager, Communications & Media Relations, Palomar Pomerado Health. He was the media spokesman referred to in our lead article who had stated Mr. Covert would be traveling and unavailable for comment.

We had called Administration to confirm the starting salary for Mike Covert when first hired. Mr. Hoang heard of our inquiry and advised us we had to file a Public Records Act request. (It is public information and should be available to anyone, not just the media, for the asking). Mr. Hoang also advised us we would no longer be allowed to distribute The Paper within Palomar Medical Center, a public institution supported by taxpayer funds.

The Paper believes this to be retaliation for articles critical of Palomar Pomerado Health management, pure and simple, and, more particularly, this article which is critical of Michael H. Covert. We further believe it is an infringement of both state and federal constitutional rights to a free press and the ability to distribute that free press to the public.

The Paper intends to take appropriate action. Stay tuned.