http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/goodbye2007/19164 ENVIRONMENT Good news/bad news for Kern air Kern County choked on news that it will take 17 years, possibly more, to reduce smog. Regional air regulators released a smog cleanup plan requiring an 11-year extension on the federal government's 2013 deadline to clean the air. Environmental and health advocates fought for stricter rules on business, given the enormous public health burden. A few tweaks were made, but nothing substantial enough to clean the air before 2024. On the bright side, Kern County had significantly fewer smoggy days. During the summer smog season, Bakersfield violated the federal limit for smog on 15 days, the lowest number in two decades. In October, a state bill was signed that will expand the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board to include an air pollution scientist, a doctor and two more city council representatives. Currently, the board is made up of eight county supervisors and three city council members from throughout the valley. Refinery rumble Big West of California's refinery on Rosedale Highway made the news several times. Plans to increase fuel output alarmed the public when they learned Big West planned to use hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous and toxic chemical. When spilled, the chemical forms a traveling cloud that could injure or kill those in its path. Big West later revised its proposal to use a modified form of the acid with less danger if spilled. The county put the expansion project on hold for more study. In April Kern officials cited the refinery for venting gas. Big West officials said the releases were due to power outages and the company is upgrading electrical equipment to prevent further ventings. Part of the refinery was shut down for a few days in June to locate the source of oil flowing into a groundwater monitoring well. A Californian investigation later found that numerous leaks and spills at the facility in the past 20 years had created an extensive plume of soil and groundwater contamination, some if it close to drinking water sources. Despite the situation, regional water quality regulators never issued any formal cleanup orders even after former owner Shell shut down the only cleanup system on site in March 2005. After the story was published, the water board issued an order that required Shell to restart the cleanup system by Nov. 1 and ordered investigations into the full extent of pollution. Shell restarted the cleanup system in early October. Waste handlers fined Kern County took two waste companies to task. In November, Kern officials levied a $30,000 fined against Hondo Chemical, a company on Stockdale Highway near Enos Lane that mixes oil-field wastewater with fly ash to make a cement-like product used for dust control. That was on top of $23,000 it owed the county Environmental Health Department in fines and late fees for a May order. County officials charged that the company stored exotic, industrial wastes in an improper manner, posing a threat to groundwater. As of Dec. 21, the company had not paid. In June, a cease-and-desist order was issued to Community Recycling after food wrappers, plastic bags, bottle caps and other solid waste were found in the compost on nearby farmland owned by a company official. The facility, near Arvin, makes compost from rejected supermarket produce and Los Angeles' yard waste. In October, county supervisors slapped a $5,000 fine against Community Recycling for stockpiling 300,000 tons of smashed wallboard and concrete on farmland without a permit. The company has paid the fine. Water woes Dwindling numbers of an endangered fish, the tiny Delta smelt, resulted in an unprecedented federal ruling in August that will significantly reduce State Water Project deliveries. Local water officials said the impact on farmers could be devastating. Mother Nature was no help. Just 2.97 inches of rain had fallen in Bakersfield by late December. With normal annual rainfall of 6.5 inches, 2007 was on track to become the fifth driest year since 1889, National Weather Service officials said. A win for wildlife A beaver's life was spared after public outrcy in December over plans to kill the rodent that had chewed down city trees along the Kern River bike path. City parks officials asked the state wildlife agency for help with the problem. California Department of Fish and Game officials said the agency doesn't relocate beavers and issued a permit to exterminate the animal. Parks officials revoked the permit after learning of the plans and receiving more than 50 e-mails and phone calls overnight from city residents and beaver lovers as far away as upstate New York and Indiana. They now plan to relocate the beaver, or find a way to allow it to remain where it is. HEALTH Children sickened with E. coli Eleven people, mostly children, were sickened by E. coli bacteria in April and May. The Kern County Department of Public Health believes two children were sickened between April 16 and 24, and then spread it to other children at parties. Then those children made other children and family members ill from close contact. The health department still doesn't know what originally sickened the first two children, said interim County Public Health Officer Dr. Claudia Jonah on Dec. 18. Two of the children were hospitalized with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a condition seen in serious foodborne illnesses and marked by kidney failure. Elijah Walker and Jane Maberry, who were both 6 years old when hospitalized, are doing well and show no lasting effects of the illness, their parents said on Dec. 18. Kern No. 1 for West Nile Kern County was ground zero for West Nile virus. As of Dec. 20, 379 people had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus statewide, with 138 in Kern County. Four Kern residents died from complications of the virus. Health officials scrambled. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an emergency in Kern in August. A plane sprayed pesticide twice over much of Bakersfield. Some officials pointed to green, unkempt swimming pools -- potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes -- as a reason for Kern's high number of cases and asked Realtors, brokers and agents to help report the pools to vector control. An aerial survey of Bakersfield in August by the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District found 1,200 suspect swimming pools. Hospital expansion To meet the demands of Bakersfield's growing population, one hospital finished a major construction project while another inched closer to completion. San Joaquin Community Hospital dedicated its $72 million, five-story North Tower in April. This added about 70 beds to the 178 beds the hospital is licensed for. Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is also in the midst of a five-story tower addition, slated to be done in 2008. OB/GYN controversy Kern Medical Center's OB/GYN conflict started a couple years ago when the contracts of several OB/GYN physicians were criticized for paying too much and too many perks, including malpractice insurance that covered the doctors in their private practices. In March, county supervisors voted to stop providing the insurance for six OB/GYN physicians when they are working outside the county hospital. In June, potential infighting came to light. Dr. Nicole Sharkey, who was then a fourth-year resident, filed a claim against the county, the hospital and two KMC physicians for damages she said she suffered through being sexually harassed. The physicians, Drs. George Alkhouri and Joseph Mansour, denied any wrongdoing. Mansour said Sharkey was being used by several other OB/GYN physicians to discredit him because Mansour went to county supervisors with the contracts, he said. The turmoil could also cost KMC the OB/GYN residency program. In October, a &quot;mock accreditation&quot; report, preparation for a re-accreditation survey, found &quot;the faculty is divided into two camps&quot; and that faculty misbehavior &quot;could lead to summary withdrawal of the (residency program), without recourse to appeal.&quot; Dr. Leonard Perez, former department chairman, also was suspended by current interim chairman Dr. Robert Wallace. County officials wouldn't comment on the reason for Perez's suspension; some claimed Wallace was given the top OB/GYN job because he once worked as an adviser for Supervisor Michael Rubio. Lastly, Sharkey filed a claim against the county, the hospital and several other medical residents in early December for damages she says she suffered after the physicians inappropriately accessed her medical records. Furor over tattoos What started as a disagreement between a doctor and patients escalated into threats, name-calling on the blogosphere and a media circus garnering the attention of local radio programs -- even a mention on &quot;The Colbert Report,&quot; a national comedy news show. On Feb. 7, Tasha Childress took her toddler to Dr. Gary Alexander Merrill's F Street office with an ear infection. Childress, 24, said they were refused care because of three visible star tattoos she and her husband have behind their ears. &quot;We just like to be upfront with everything,&quot; said Merrill, of Christian Medical Services. &quot;Our policies all reflect consideration for conservative clientele in a traditional atmosphere ... a sort of refuge from the crudeness and vulgarity of the public sector.&quot; ENVIRONMENT Good news/bad news for Kern air Kern County choked on news that it will take 17 years, possibly more, to reduce smog. Regional air regulators released a smog cleanup plan requiring an 11-year extension on the federal government's 2013 deadline to clean the air. Environmental and health advocates fought for stricter rules on business, given the enormous public health burden. A few tweaks were made, but nothing substantial enough to clean the air before 2024. On the bright side, Kern County had significantly fewer smoggy days. During the summer smog season, Bakersfield violated the federal limit for smog on 15 days, the lowest number in two decades. In October, a state bill was signed that will expand the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board to include an air pollution scientist, a doctor and two more city council representatives. Currently, the board is made up of eight county supervisors and three city council members from throughout the valley. Refinery rumble Big West of California's refinery on Rosedale Highway made the news several times. Plans to increase fuel output alarmed the public when they learned Big West planned to use hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous and toxic chemical. When spilled, the chemical forms a traveling cloud that could injure or kill those in its path. Big West later revised its proposal to use a modified form of the acid with less danger if spilled. The county put the expansion project on hold for more study. In April Kern officials cited the refinery for venting gas. Big West officials said the releases were due to power outages and the company is upgrading electrical equipment to prevent further ventings. Part of the refinery was shut down for a few days in June to locate the source of oil flowing into a groundwater monitoring well. A Californian investigation later found that numerous leaks and spills at the facility in the past 20 years had created an extensive plume of soil and groundwater contamination, some if it close to drinking water sources. Despite the situation, regional water quality regulators never issued any formal cleanup orders even after former owner Shell shut down the only cleanup system on site in March 2005. After the story was published, the water board issued an order that required Shell to restart the cleanup system by Nov. 1 and ordered investigations into the full extent of pollution. Shell restarted the cleanup system in early October. Waste handlers fined Kern County took two waste companies to task. In November, Kern officials levied a $30,000 fined against Hondo Chemical, a company on Stockdale Highway near Enos Lane that mixes oil-field wastewater with fly ash to make a cement-like product used for dust control. That was on top of $23,000 it owed the county Environmental Health Department in fines and late fees for a May order. County officials charged that the company stored exotic, industrial wastes in an improper manner, posing a threat to groundwater. As of Dec. 21, the company had not paid. In June, a cease-and-desist order was issued to Community Recycling after food wrappers, plastic bags, bottle caps and other solid waste were found in the compost on nearby farmland owned by a company official. The facility, near Arvin, makes compost from rejected supermarket produce and Los Angeles' yard waste. In October, county supervisors slapped a $5,000 fine against Community Recycling for stockpiling 300,000 tons of smashed wallboard and concrete on farmland without a permit. The company has paid the fine. Water woes Dwindling numbers of an endangered fish, the tiny Delta smelt, resulted in an unprecedented federal ruling in August that will significantly reduce State Water Project deliveries. Local water officials said the impact on farmers could be devastating. Mother Nature was no help. Just 2.97 inches of rain had fallen in Bakersfield by late December. With normal annual rainfall of 6.5 inches, 2007 was on track to become the fifth driest year since 1889, National Weather Service officials said. A win for wildlife A beaver's life was spared after public outrcy in December over plans to kill the rodent that had chewed down city trees along the Kern River bike path. City parks officials asked the state wildlife agency for help with the problem. California Department of Fish and Game officials said the agency doesn't relocate beavers and issued a permit to exterminate the animal. Parks officials revoked the permit after learning of the plans and receiving more than 50 e-mails and phone calls overnight from city residents and beaver lovers as far away as upstate New York and Indiana. They now plan to relocate the beaver, or find a way to allow it to remain where it is. HEALTH Children sickened with E. coli Eleven people, mostly children, were sickened by E. coli bacteria in April and May. The Kern County Department of Public Health believes two children were sickened between April 16 and 24, and then spread it to other children at parties. Then those children made other children and family members ill from close contact. The health department still doesn't know what originally sickened the first two children, said interim County Public Health Officer Dr. Claudia Jonah on Dec. 18. Two of the children were hospitalized with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a condition seen in serious foodborne illnesses and marked by kidney failure. Elijah Walker and Jane Maberry, who were both 6 years old when hospitalized, are doing well and show no lasting effects of the illness, their parents said on Dec. 18. Kern No. 1 for West Nile Kern County was ground zero for West Nile virus. As of Dec. 20, 379 people had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus statewide, with 138 in Kern County. Four Kern residents died from complications of the virus. Health officials scrambled. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an emergency in Kern in August. A plane sprayed pesticide twice over much of Bakersfield. Some officials pointed to green, unkempt swimming pools -- potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes -- as a reason for Kern's high number of cases and asked Realtors, brokers and agents to help report the pools to vector control. An aerial survey of Bakersfield in August by the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District found 1,200 suspect swimming pools. Hospital expansion To meet the demands of Bakersfield's growing population, one hospital finished a major construction project while another inched closer to completion. San Joaquin Community Hospital dedicated its $72 million, five-story North Tower in April. This added about 70 beds to the 178 beds the hospital is licensed for. Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is also in the midst of a five-story tower addition, slated to be done in 2008. OB/GYN controversy Kern Medical Center's OB/GYN conflict started a couple years ago when the contracts of several OB/GYN physicians were criticized for paying too much and too many perks, including malpractice insurance that covered the doctors in their private practices. In March, county supervisors voted to stop providing the insurance for six OB/GYN physicians when they are working outside the county hospital. In June, potential infighting came to light. Dr. Nicole Sharkey, who was then a fourth-year resident, filed a claim against the county, the hospital and two KMC physicians for damages she said she suffered through being sexually harassed. The physicians, Drs. George Alkhouri and Joseph Mansour, denied any wrongdoing. Mansour said Sharkey was being used by several other OB/GYN physicians to discredit him because Mansour went to county supervisors with the contracts, he said. The turmoil could also cost KMC the OB/GYN residency program. In October, a &quot;mock accreditation&quot; report, preparation for a re-accreditation survey, found &quot;the faculty is divided into two camps&quot; and that faculty misbehavior &quot;could lead to summary withdrawal of the (residency program), without recourse to appeal.&quot; Dr. Leonard Perez, former department chairman, also was suspended by current interim chairman Dr. Robert Wallace. County officials wouldn't comment on the reason for Perez's suspension; some claimed Wallace was given the top OB/GYN job because he once worked as an adviser for Supervisor Michael Rubio. Lastly, Sharkey filed a claim against the county, the hospital and several other medical residents in early December for damages she says she suffered after the physicians inappropriately accessed her medical records. Furor over tattoos What started as a disagreement between a doctor and patients escalated into threats, name-calling on the blogosphere and a media circus garnering the attention of local radio programs -- even a mention on &quot;The Colbert Report,&quot; a national comedy news show. On Feb. 7, Tasha Childress took her toddler to Dr. Gary Alexander Merrill's F Street office with an ear infection. Childress, 24, said they were refused care because of three visible star tattoos she and her husband have behind their ears. &quot;We just like to be upfront with everything,&quot; said Merrill, of Christian Medical Services. &quot;Our policies all reflect consideration for conservative clientele in a traditional atmosphere ... a sort of refuge from the crudeness and vulgarity of the public sector.&quot; en-us Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:32:47 PST <p>It seems to me that a recent city council commisioned study of valley air must have been flawed or incomplete. There are many more things flying around in the air than car and diesil smoke. Many things that could be elimenated or other ways to cut down on the things that are killing people like me with breathing problems and lung infections. I don't need a $400,000 study to find out that absestos fibers flying freely through the air can indeed cause more problems for me than a little diesel smoke. Isn't it time to look for real solutions rather than trying to legislate another foolish notion that someone else is causing the stink?</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/goodbye2007/19164/#c_178407 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/goodbye2007/19164/#c_178407 <p>It seems to me that a recent city council commisioned study of valley air must have been flawed or incomplete. There are many more things flying around in the air than car and diesil smoke. Many things that could be elimenated or other ways to cut down on the things that are killing people like me with breathing problems and lung infections. I don't need a $400,000 study to find out that absestos fibers flying freely through the air can indeed cause more problems for me than a little diesel smoke. Isn't it time to look for real solutions rather than trying to legislate another foolish notion that someone else is causing the stink?</p>