January storm fells a Paradise giant Rotary’s Vocational Project connects students, educators, and businesses

By Don Criswell

A Paradise old timer fell during the night of January 7, 2023. The venerable giant, a Ponderosa pine, stood at the corner of Skyway and Elliott Road for about 161 years.

Prior to 1952, the Skyway was called Neal Road, originally a foot path and cattle trail, then a route for mule and ox teams, wagons, and finally motor vehicles. During its lifetime the Big Tree witnessed the passage of every traveler bound for parts north, south, east, or west of its location. The Big Tree survived countless storms, high winds, droughts, and road projects. It thrived when other trees succumbed to logging, disease, pine beetles, and fire. It was one of the few big pines not consumed by the Camp Fire that destroyed millions of trees. Imagine how many photographs depict the Big Tree in the background, and the many Veterans’ Hall activities shaded by its huge canopy. The Big Tree dominated the view from our property on Elliott Road. Its absence evokes a melancholy reminder that nothing lasts forever.

Early the morning after the tree fell, Carol Stark, owner of Jeannie’s Consignment, advised me that it was down and should be preserved for historical interest. I agreed and said the Gold Nugget Museum would lead the cause. Bill Hartley and Mark Thorp of Gold Nugget Museum quickly got involved in the effort. My neighbor DJ Gomes, owner of DJ’s Crossfire Tree Services, immediately returned our call; he had the heavy equipment and know-how to handle this project.

Within hours DJ’s crew moved several logs to the Gold Nugget Museum. Fast action ensured that the Big Tree would not be wasted.

Action News broadcast the story, generating interest on how to preserve the Big Tree’s wood. Some suggestions were to create and sell mementoes to support Gold Nugget Museum and other Ridge organizations. Another idea was to display a section of the tree rings with a panel identifying historical events that occurred during its lifetime. My favorite is to mill the logs and use the lumber to reconstruct the Gold Nugget Museum.

We are delighted that most of the Big Tree was saved. I think we are most pleased with the way in which it was done—the Paradise way—with partnership and pride. The project created a real sense of comradery among those involved. It stands as a wonderful example of neighborliness, of community spirit and cooperation to get things done. I’m proud of everyone that joined in the project. The Big Tree will continue being part of our Ridge history.

By Sonny Ventimiglio Rotary Club of Paradise, Chairman of the Vocational Committee

Paradise Rotary is working to keep our kids on the Ridge! Rotary’s Vocational Committee designed a project encouraging local youth to explore a career path in their own backyard. Retention of our Ridge workforce will help support business and may also provide lasting employment opportunities for our young adults.

The first step of this two-phased project was the very successful, Rotary hosted, Career Expo (Exposure), held in the new Paradise High School gym last November. Over 1,000 students attended, and more than 90 local industry professionals representing in-demand career fields from across the county shared information including minimum qualifications, educational requirements, salary expectations and more.

Rotary’s goal with the Career Expo was to show students a path to stay local. At the Expo they were exposed to a variety of career paths preparing them for the next chapter of their educational journey. Students interacted with potential future employers, while local businesses/employers shared their employment needs.

The second step Job Fair is

(PRPD) to present the Rotary Club of Paradise and PRPD Job Fair. If you’re looking for employment opportunities or, if you’re looking to hire someone or offer internship opportunities, please join us. There will be local businesses looking to hire and educational pathway resources for those needing to gain skills employment.

Right now, skilled labor is in high demand, so we are focusing on connecting the future of the workforce on the Ridge to the local employers and the educational resources required for a successful career.

The Rotary Club of Paradise and PRPD Job Fair

Friday, May 5, 12:00 – 5:00p.m. Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway, Paradise

By Robin Oliver Vice President, Business Development Executive Adventist Health and Rideout

In 2022, with the onboarding of a new executive leadership team, Adventist Health has made a concerted effort to keep the community engaged and informed by developing a Paradise Healthcare Steering Committee comprised of Adventist Health leaders, representation from local elected officials’, community leaders and members. The goal of this steering committee is to collaboratively address the rebounding community’s healthcare needs and openly discuss Adventist Health’s plans to support them. The committee has met twice and will continue with a quarterly schedule. Discussions have been productive due to the willingness of all participants to engage in open and honest dialogue and to gain understanding on this emotionally charged topic.

Adventist Health is keenly aware of the community’s desire to rebuild Feather River Hospital and its significance as an emblem of recovery. However, as discussed with the Paradise Healthcare Steering Committee, the current and projected population of Paradise and the Upper Ridge communities will not produce the patient volume needed to support a full-scale hospital. Through our conversations with community leaders, it has also become evident that most residents are unaware that the hospital was struggling to thrive on pre-fire volumes and a variety of alternative operating strategies were being considered.

There are additional considerations including the complicated nature of building a hospital. As one can imagine, building a hospital is significantly different from rebuilding a home or retail structure. It is a highly regulated process.

On average, hospital construction in California takes anywhere from seven to ten years, at a current cost of about $4-$5 million per bed. It involves staggering capital investment, adherence to extensive federal and state regulations, safety standards, and licensing requirements. Although the Feather River facility appears viable on the outside, the fire caused considerable structural and physical plant damage that would need to be corrected. Incremental demolition costs, structural corrections and new building code requirements cause renovation costs to exceed new construction costs with staggering regularity.

Free Standing Emergency Department Legislation (SB 156)

In addition to addressing the community’s desire to rebuild the hospital, the committee has also discussed California legislation (SB 156). As a result of the Camp Fire, SB 156 was introduced by local elected officials to enable Feather River Hospital, specifically, to operate its Emergency Department (ED) as a free-standing ED while the hospital was being rebuilt. This legislation limited the time the ED could operate independently of the hospital to six years-- less than the time it takes to rebuild a hospital.

Not surprisingly, a free-standing ED in California is equally, if not more, complicated than building a hospital.

Today, there are more than 400 freestanding EDs in the US; however, the California Health and Safety Code does not allow for free-standing EDs. Before Adventist Health can build and operate a free-standing ED, the six-year limitation will need to be removed from SB 156 and multiple government entities will need to create the required licensure, building codes and reimbursement models. Creating these rules, regulations and models will take significant coordination and necessitate considerabe time. Previous attempts to develop freestanding ED code in California have met with fierce opposition from a variety of organizations and ultimately failed.

Lastly, once these complex antecedents are navigated, Adventist Health will need to negotiate with organized labor partners, who have opposed this proposition to date, to clear the path for our labor pool. Simply stated, the pursuit of a free-standing ED is a complex and arduous multi-phase process that requires sound strategy, coordination, persistence, and above all else, patience.

Achieving an Aligned Approach

Based on Adventist Health’s continued commitment to providing healthcare to the Ridge communities, along with discussions with the Paradise Healthcare Steering Committee, Adventist Health has initiated a thoughtful strategic plan to scale healthcare services in keeping with the population’s return to the Ridge.

Adventist Health’s near-term strategic approach is to expand current services, and to fortify urgent and sub-emergent care to address the immediate needs expressed by multiple stakeholders and residents. Adventist Health will continue to work closely with the Paradise Healthcare Steering Committee, to engage our elected representatives, and to share plans in the final approval phases with the community over the coming months.

Fire Victims Trust Settlement Agreement

In addition to the hospital’s rebuilding plans, there have been ongoing inquiries regarding the settlement between Adventist Health and the Fire Victims Trust. After a multi-year process with the Fire Victims Trust (which administers the PG&E bankruptcy), we are pleased to have reached a resolution in this matter. Due to a non-disclosure agreement, we cannot provide further information.

Our Commitment

“Adventist Health looks forward to the continued partnership, ongoing dialogue, and opportunity to contribute to the growth of Paradise and the Upper Ridge. We remain committed to a transparent process through our regular updates.” — Chris Champlin, Market President, Adventist Health and Rideout and Feather River Hospital.