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Sonoma Valley Hospital administrators and campaign supporters gathered around the television during a private party at Ramekins on Tuesday, waiting with baited breath for the outcome of Measure P.

When the first returns for the $35 million general-obligation bond measure showed more than 80 percent support, the crowd cheered, knowing they had finally achieved the community support that proved elusive during two previous unsuccessful bond measures. Chief Executive Officer Carl Gerlach quickly left the celebration to share the good news with the employees at the hospital.

"We did it!" he exclaimed to everyone within earshot. "I'm feeling elated." When the final ballots were counted, 80.8 percent of voters supported the measure, which garnered 13,021 "yes" votes versus 3,093 "no" votes.

The bond money will be used to fix the crumbling infrastructure and replace obsolete equipment within the hospital. Plans include constructing a new central utility plant, which would make the hospital compliant with state earthquake regulations through at least 2020.

The third time proved to be the charm for Sonoma Valley Hospital, which previously sought a $148 million bond that was voted down in May of 2006 and a $45 million bond that failed last April. Hospital boardmembers were diligent about creating a bond that would be palatable to the public, and were successful in not rousing any organized opposition to the measure. "There's been a great team effort," Gerlach said. "This is the best display of effective citizenship that I've ever seen."

Gerlach, along with other boardmembers, said work at the hospital is just beginning. An overall lack of funding over the past year has meant Gerlach had to put his business plan, which centers on recruiting more physicians to practice at the hospital, on hold. Gerlach said he has a number of physicians interested in working with the hospital, but the doctors worried there wouldn't be a hospital at which to work.

"We're not done, but we have the credits, the points on the board, to get things done," Gerlach said. "We're going to use the confidence (from passing the bond) to bring in those doctors."

The hospital likely won't see any of the bond money until next spring, but Gerlach said the real work begins now. He will work with the board to create building plans for the facility upgrades as well as help create the bond-oversight committee required by Measure P to ensure all money is spent appropriately.

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