I hope the news that CEO Schapper is leaving Tahoe Forest Hospital District is not considered the end of the problems at the District. The proposed transition is up for public discussion thankfully. It will take effort and money and time.

Although many of us considered Schapper the “puppet master” at TFHD, his leaving does not eliminate the “puppets” who daily have exposed the district to financial and compliance problems.

Nor will his leaving eliminate the atmosphere of fear that engulfs employees of the District. Schapper should be paid whatever is determined appropriate and he should immediately leave the District.

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Nowhere in the real business world would a person facing possible criminal charges and losing Board support be allowed to continue working as a consultant. He needs to be gone.

There is no reason why the District should wait until this summer to begin its search for a new CEO. Furthermore, an interim management of the District operations should be done by an outside party with no links to the current administration.

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There are a number of qualified companies that could handle the transition of TFHD from its current morass to a properly functioning operation. The Board should immediately consider obtaining such professional help.

Having the current COO be the interim CEO is allowing one of Schapper’s “puppets” to continue the legacy that Schapper has left to TFHD. The poor decision making that has engulfed the District operations needs to be reversed by experienced trouble shooters not the “puppets.”

Save the District! Start over the right way.

Dr. Peter Forni

Truckee