After the Thanksgiving holiday it’s worth noting there are not one but two meetings related to safety this week. Tonight’s the first, from the release:
For the brave the video comments software is now activated. No tests have been done so let’s wish those hearty souls good luck. Appears enabled for the Microsoft side, but on the Mac, it looks like only the audio version is working, at least with the internal camera on laptops. How many kids will grow up with this technology and make fun of the adults who used to write out their comments. It’s only a matter of time right?
You need to make some settings for camera and your mic but it takes just a few seconds. You can activate the software as an anonymous user too. We’ll wave the normal requests for one user id and email information to let folks give it a test run. But the comments policy remains.
Maybe we’ll get some static backgrounds with audio comments first. Da Horsey would go with the outside shot from the living room window. It overlooks the Empire State Building and the colors schemes are always changing. Well that’s just an idea, but let’s see what folks do along those lines. Initially we thought to restrict this feature to fillies only. But some of those pretty horses like to just stare and bat their pretty eyes.
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Acting CFO, Vincent Riccitelli presents the details of the financials and audit results and action plan at the hospital last Monday night. He replaced the former CFO, Ron DeVito. Along with the financial details mentioned is the $13MM for the current year.
Hospital CEO Spiros Hateras discusses the plan to close the current operating deficit of $1MM a month.
Reader Bob’s Uncle posted earlier information from his “protest website” with more details on where things were at the time the hospital was St. Mary’s.
Related: Hoboken Now on the resignation and higher than forecast losses.
Councilwoman Beth Mason asks some questions of the Hoboken University Hospital regarding cash flow and finances. We’ve edited this down to less than five minutes. Some of the latter exchanges were somewhat testy but not central to the discussion. What’s important is the financial snapshot of the hospital’s operating liquidity. What you learn is that on the day of this report, the hospital still had in the ballpark of six figures, $150,000. Not much better than the cash balance reported earlier of $94,000. This is the reality they and we as Hoboken residents are up against and illustrates how tight things are at the hospital.
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalms 27: 4-5
On this day, Mile Square View offers thanks:
For the people of Hoboken who have never surrendered to the culture of corruption, neither excusing nor making accommodation over years and for some, decades.
To Eric Kurta, the Wilest E. Coyote any town is lucky enough to have and who encouraged “the experiment” by approaching after an event saying, “I have the answer to your question.”
For the Jolly Green Vegetable at the Hoboken Journal, who has been gracious and helpful from the beginning.
For the good folks at Hoboken Revolt, especially Richard Pasquarelli who inspired us at the City Hall protest and at their site honoring free speech when less than a handful of voices complained and far far more were encouraging and reading. Hat tip: InfotainMe
For Katie Scarlett who got Da Horsey off of the international policy wonk fix and propelled us to get up to speed locally.
For all the people who understand a pony can be a functional silo and information never ever gets out. You make a fine “Grist for the Mill.”
For the Grafix Avenger for giving MSV laughter and material even without ever meeting or speaking.
For the looks of surprise when we come out of the barn and someone learns we are that talking horse.
For my best friend Tracy who continually annoyed with his interloper mentality and called this effort “a hobby.”
For all the readers who would email and share thoughts as if we were the oldest and best of friends especially the Bank Robber. Rock!
For Amy Sara Clark and the Jersey Journal for the peer acceptance and gracious words.
For Timothy J. Carroll and the Hudson Reporter who showered the site with overwhelming hospitality when we made a small, we thought “anonymous” request.
The Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority Board answers some questions from Hoboken residents about the Hoboken backed bonds. They were not able to provide all the details to all the questions but assured they would be willing to do so by having a bond person available at the next meeting.
There’s some open questions about the insurance on the bonds and after the holiday, that information should be available. This video runs just under ten minutes.
Here’s the bottom line. It’s tight. They are hopeful on State aid next month. They will implement audit findings, several impacting the financials sooner than later. Plans are to cut spending by a million dollars a month, equivalent to 10% overall and the amount of the current deficit.
Hospital administrators came over to some Hoboken citizens during a spontaneous post meeting discussion. They wanted the exchange and a very good impromptu Q&A. They encouraged the public’s attendance to their monthly meeting. This was a positive sign. As a result, we’ll retract the Scarface bad guy reference. There’s another reason and we’ll explain more soon.
Lots of questions revolving around the bonds and specifically what is the holder and any insurance. The bondholder was said to be FSA. Questions on wraparound insurance were not clear. The Administration offered to have a bond expert available to answer these questions and also their attorney agreed to explain the two operating bond accounts and their amounts. One capital account we believe is $9MM or thereabouts. The other, a recovery account will be explained after the holiday. City Hall does have all the documentation on the bonds.
There is some cause for optimism. One thing arose here as in the City Council meeting: this concept of State grants for hospitals and how its disbursed among several possible candidates. The CEO Spiros Hatiras speaks of this as an obligation, something the State owes. The hospital administration views this like Federal medicare payments. We’re not so sure this is actually the best designation since the State directs these monies on a rotating basis. With so many hospitals crying for help, how does the State view Hoboken versus Jersey City or Newark, etc.? One would guess less sympathetically as we are a “rich” community. We don’t have long to find out.
Might we strongly suggest, citizens contact Jon Corzine’s office and ask that State assistance be provided to our hospital. It takes a few minutes of your time: (609) 292-6000. Ask to speak to the Governor’s aide.
There was some issue around obtaining financial records with manual deletions. Councilwoman Beth Mason wanted to find out if this could be available without cost to the city. The Hospital Administration stated the cost for doing so is $3,000. Is this fair and reasonable considering Hoboken’s existing bond obligations? The Councilwoman did not agree. Questions led to some conflict and more questions followed by a request to wrap up the questions. Later Councilman David Mello asked some questions around the recent upgrades to the emergency room. He also spoke on behalf of his colleague Beth Mason, suggesting the Administration allow her to ask any additional questions she had. They agreed.
We’ll have more in a short window. Jimmy the K said he feels better. For the moment Da Horsey will agree.
Photo: CEO Spiros Hatiras
