— from Robert Maynard —
Access to medical services locally is critical to a thriving community. I support the passage of a Public Hospital District for Orcas; consistent and predictable funding is necessary to keep the clinics open.
Having a team of highly qualified commissioners will be key to creating a system that works for this community. I wholeheartedly support Dr. Diane Boteler for position #4 on the Public Hospital District Commission. Dr. Boteler has been both our family physician and a close friend. Her intelligence and experience are exceptional; she will bring unique skills and perspective to the newly formed Commission.
I also support Art Lange for position #3. As the past chair of the Orcas Medical Foundation, Mr. Lange has studied the business issues of rural medical practices and will bring good experience to the commission.
I encourage all to vote yes for the health of this community.
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The opposition statement in the voter’s guide for the election to establish a PHD claims that our property tax will increase 43% for most properties. You have to open the proposition statement and expand the arguments, but it is located at:
https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVoteOLVR/onlinevotersguide/Measures?language=en&electionId=69&countyCode=sj&ismyVote=False&electionTitle=2018%20April%20Special%20Election%20#ososTop
A careful and clear explanation of the possible tax increase is provided by Madrona Voices on its PHD Fact Sheet. It indicates that the mill levy could increase up to 9.5% if the levy passes.
See: https://www.madronavoices.com/phd-fact-accordion/ and click on “How much have taxes changed over the year?”
At least one of the statements in the voter pamphlet could be incorrect. Voters must be careful to learn accurate information to inform their choices. Orcas Island Community Foundation will sponsor a Providers’ Roundtable forum for just that purpose on March 29. Voters need to hear directly from island health care providers whether or not they believe a PHD is necessary and if it is a sound investment in the future of our community.
Each voter has to decide if the benefits of a PHD are worth the expense. A PHD would cost a dollar a day at the maximum levy rate ($0.75 per thousand) for a $450,000 home. We can spend our money on ferry tickets to an off-island doctor for each family member or have the security of retaining health services where we live.