Measure M Gets Thumbs Down from Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, City Council

The No on Measure M campaign has announced the endorsements of both the Los Altos City Council and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce.  

Measure M is a ballot measure in the November 6 election, asking the voters within the El Camino Hospital District to cap all executive salaries at El Camino Hospital to twice what the Governor of the State of California makes annually. Effective in December of 2012, the governor’s salary will be $165,288; double that amount will be $330,576. 

The two endorsements, the No on M campaign representatives said, signify a unified backing of the campaign from two of the most politically relied upon institutions in Los Altos.

The Los Altos City Council has passed a resolution opposing Measure M “This measure would reduce the authority of the elected board and jeopardize the quality of health care at El Camino Hospital,” read the resolution that was passed unanimously by the Los Altos City Council. “We urge the voters of the El Camino Hospital District to vote NO on Measure M.”

The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce also unanimously voted to oppose Measure M. “Measure M is a bad idea and will hurt the future of the hospital, said David Bergman, Chairman of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. “We want to attract the best people.”

The No on M campaign office recently opened on 177 State Street in downtown Los Altos it has launched of its new website, www.protectelcaminohospital.com.

“Los Altos is a large portion of El Camino Hospital District electorate,” said Gary Kalbach, member of the No on Measure M campaign committee. “The endorsements of these two well-known entities confirm our message that Measure M will have lasting, harmful effects on our community.”

“Each day, we’re seeing an outpouring of support from all corners of the District,” said David Reeder, member of the campaign’s committee. “From families, to ex-patients, to supporters of the hospital, we’re building a strong organization – one that is educating voters of the negative consequences we will see if Measure M passes.”  

The El Camino Hospital District includes Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and parts of the Cupertino and Palo Alto.