Hospital sale still up in air

Economic conditions should improve within the next five years, Egly said.

She also requested consideration of a structured process for donors to South Coast.

“I would like to suggest that Mission maintain a separate foundation at South Coast,” resident Matt Lawson said.

Dana Point City Councilman Joel Bishop was a board member of the South Coast fundraising foundation, which was absorbed by Adventist Health. He also recommended a separate board.

However, South Coast is losing its autonomy, Pietig said. It will be part of a two-campus system under one manager.

And Mission Chief Executive Officer Peter Bastone left no doubt who is in charge, although cloaked in amiability.

“We are here with open hearts and open minds to hear comments,” Bastone said.

But he made it clear that Mission will evaluate capital improvement projects and the timetable for how soon — if ever — they could be funded.

The fate of the staff at South Coast also is being evaluated by Mission. Employees are being interviewed for jobs they already hold.

“We are interviewing all 443 employees,” Bastone said. “There are no job guarantees, but most are going to be hired. And we will post job openings in other St. Joe hospitals.”

Resident Bobbi Cox said having the hospital in Laguna with a staff that works well together is vital.

Other concerns voiced included a ban on the development of a parcel of South Coast real estate holdings, now zoned open space, of particular interest to South Laguna Civic Assn. members.

Written opinions about the sale also may be submitted to Horwitz by e-mail at wendi.horwitz@doj.ca.gov, via fax at (213) 897-7605 or by mail to Wendi A. Horwitz, Deputy Attorney General, 300 S. Spring St., Suite 1702, Los Angeles, CA, 90013. The deadline is Monday.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 380-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.