Residents Overwhelmingly Support Expansion Of Desert Healthcare District To Eastern Part Of Coachella Valley
The vote was long-coming, with 15 years of activism leading up to it. Officials have continually argued that the artificial boundary was problematic, excluding funding from areas of the Coachella Valley that need it most.
The Desert Sun:
Election Results: Desert Healthcare District Expands To East Valley
Voters voiced clear support to expand the Desert Healthcare District to the eastern part of the Coachella Valley on Tuesday night. Unofficial results showed 78 percent of people cast “yes” votes in support of the expansion, dubbed Measure BB, as of Wednesday morning. This vote could expand the district to include the second half of Palm Desert, as well as Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella and unincorporated areas like Mecca and Thermal. The district manages the allocation of $4 million in annual discretionary funds to help support primary care, behavioral health and homelessness initiatives throughout the valley. (Hayden, 11/7)
In other local election news —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Election Delivers Changes For Tri-City, Palomar Health Districts
Though a few races are still so close that they could change in the coming days or weeks, it’s clear that the governing boards of Palomar Health and Tri-City Medical Center will see leadership changes in 2019. In Oceanside, Tri-City incumbent Laura Mitchell trailed challenger and state Assemblyman Rocky Chavez by 343 votes. Board chair Jim Dagostino led challenger and health care executive Tracy Younger in Tri-City’s Carlsbad subdivision, but only by 119 votes. (Sisson, 11/7)
The Mercury News:
Cannabis Measure Leads In Half Moon Bay
A controversial Half Moon Bay cannabis measure on Tuesday’s ballot is holding on to a narrow lead, suggesting that the town’s three greenhouse farmers will be allowed grow legal marijuana sprouts in “nurseries” – but residents have rejected other measures that would have expanded cultivation and sales in the traditional coastal town. The measure – ahead by only 39 votes in a 51.2 to 48.8 percent tally, would help farmers like 72-year-old “Farmer John” Muller, former mayor and longtime pumpkin farmer, who seeks to rent out his dilapidated greenhouses as a place for the baby plants. (Krieger, 11/7)