Vista councilman to seek seat on Tri-City health board

Vista Councilman Steve Gronke won’t be running for re-election in November, but instead will seek a seat on the Tri-City Healthcare District board of directors, he announced at a council meeting Tuesday.

He said the board, whose meetings have a reputation for frequent disorder, reflects badly on the public health care district.

“It has become very apparent to me that the CEO and staff over there is excellent … and is being poorly represented,” Gronke said. “If you go to Tri-City you get excellent care.”

Tri-City Chief Executive Larry Anderson has been credited with drastically improving the finances of the Tri-City Medical Center and the district as a whole. The board, however, is known for its turmoil. The district has even sued one of its own board directors, Kathleen Sterling, over what it views as disruptive behavior. She also has been forced to attend meetings via video conference because she is not allowed in the board room.

She says the district has targeted her for being outspoken.

The board also had banned another director, Randy Horton, from attending closed-session meetings because it believed he had leaked confidential information. The ban has since been lifted.

The state Board of Registered Nursing placed board member Charlene Anderson on three years’ probation last November for failing to account for prescription painkillers while she worked as a registered nurse at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas in 2006. She said it was a matter of failing to properly document removal of the drugs, which were for patients.

And board member George Coulter has used the title Ph.D. with his name, but the academic credential comes from a dubious source.

“I think I can be helpful to improving their image,” Gronke said.

The terms of the board positions held by RoseMarie Reno, Anderson, Coulter and Sterling expire this year.

Gronke serves on the board for the Tri-City Hospital Foundation.

The 12-year council veteran and educator said that of his accomplishments at the city, he is most proud of the facilities built with the Proposition L bond measure, approved by voters in 2006.

His tenure has not been without blemish. Gronke was arrested Dec. 30 in Brengle Terrace Park after an apparently physical argument with his wife. The district attorney declined to prosecute.

“It will be brought up, but I don’t think it’s going to be a factor in the election,” Gronke said. “Me and my wife are working through some things … and I think most people understand that sort of thing happens.”

In 2010 Gronke ran unsuccessfully for county supervisor.

Former Carlsbad Councilwomen Ramona Finnila and Julie Nygaard have said they intend to run for the Tri-City board, as well. Both also serve on the Tri-City Foundation.