Questions on volunteer nurse program lead to racism accusations in Ceres
By Erin Tracy, The Modesto Bee | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"Is it racism?" Johnson asked the council during public comment. "I can honestly stand here and say, from my point of view, I would say it is."
More than 20,000 people have been served by the program since its inception, and several people told stories during the meeting about the lives that have been saved because of early detection. In 2011, the program partnered with the
Lyions said the program and its partnership with the
Newly elected Councilwoman
But Johnson believes their actions were motivated by something else. He referenced a July meeting he attended with Lyions and several other city employees during which he claims Lyions became enraged and put his hands in Johnson's face.
"(The meeting) hadn't proceeded five minutes before hostility became primary motive from the city attorney. At that point, he became so angry he couldn't control his words," Johnson said. "He didn't even know me; all he knew is what I represented, and that was the
Johnson also criticized Ryno's call during the January meeting for the city to distance itself from the program immediately and to stop accepting checks on behalf of the
After Johnson's speech Monday and after the
He said he was angry during the July meeting in question because Johnson threatened to have him fired.
In his memorandum to the
Johnson said he also believes the health fairs and clinics should be protected from lawsuits under good Samaritan laws.
"The Good Samaritan Act applies in emergency treatment by professionals in extreme circumstances," Lyions said Tuesday. He declined to comment further about the accusation tossed at him the night before.
He said any judgment or settlement against the city and the program or clinic for more than the
Mayor
The issue of the nurse practitioner program was intended only to be an information item on the agenda that didn't require a vote, but Ryno said she wanted one so it was on the record that she disapproved of the city not immediately cutting ties with the program. "I don't want to see the city of Ceres go bankrupt because we don't have any protection," she said.
Councilman
The motion by Lane to keep the program intact while awaiting the result of those efforts passed 4-1, with Ryno dissenting.
"It would be nice if the community would associate those kinds of services with the
Bee staff writer
___
(c)2014 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.)
Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 1013 |
The Modesto Bee Ron Agostini column
A new dawn for the Americus Center hotel?
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News