Vote no on hospital district

Please keep in mind that the clinic will not close if this vote fails. I am asking you to vote “no” on the April ballot for the Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) that would create a new taxing district which would be funded from property taxes. I have three points that I would like you to consider when voting on this measure.

First, granting this taxing district would allow the LIHD to collect $800,000 each year from property tax even though they do not know how much money they need to operate the clinic.

Second, the only restriction as to what the property tax money can be spent on is that it funds a medical-related service on Lopez. All money does not have to go to the clinic.

Third, the clinic board is rushing this vote before a partner has been secured; the clinic will not close if this vote fails. At community informational meetings earlier this year, the Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA) said the clinic could operate with existing monies for three to four years and our local doctor said five years. The CWMA has $3,000,000 in reserve plus other monies.

When I was growing up on Lopez we had no clinic and I am so glad that we now do. Before we pass this measure the clinic board should secure a partner, provide financials to show how much property tax money is needed to run the clinic for a year, and tell us exactly where the money will be spent.

Dan Post

Lopez Island

I’m going to vote yes on the property tax measure to form a hospital district on Lopez. I urge you to do the same.

Yes, we are spoiled when it comes to local quality health care… and I’m committed to keeping it that way.

Voting now to support a Lopez Hospital District is the best and indeed only way I see of preserving quality health care on Lopez as all of our options will require additional funding.

Larry Eppenbach

Lopez Island

Thank you, United Way

Every day, the Lopez Island Family Resource Center (LIFRC) is a busy hub with a wide range of activities and programs. It might be helping 450 individuals with basic needs such as rental and utility assistance; making sure 300 individuals gets healthy fresh food from the Lopez Fresh foodbank; providing play therapy for 20 preschool children; matching adult mentors with 22 youth who spend time together weekly; offering over 100 summer workshops to assure 379 kids (with 74 scholarships) have positive learning opportunities over the summer, and much, much more.

None of these programs would be possible without the generous support of United Way San Juan County. United Way is one of very few funding sources that help support staff and operations which is essential to running all these programs.

One of the special and unique things about Lopez is the way the community works together to help each other since many devoted volunteers and a dedicated, caring staff work together to make these programs possible. Lots of helping hands and compassionate hearts are working together to make a difference:

United Way is an important part of making this work happen. Please consider starting or continuing a payroll deduction through your company to help support this important work – you will have a big impact on many lives when you do. We appreciate all the generous support everyone provides the Lopez Island Family Resource Center.

Staff and board of the Lopez Family Resource Center

Vote no on hospital district

Vote NO this time – rewrite the proposition to restrict the spending of property tax dollars to just the clinic. At a pro-district meeting, chair Christa Campbell (Catherine Washburn Medical Center) indicated that the elected board of Public Hospital District 2 could also give tax dollars to “Lopez Fit, the Pharmacy, and the Family Resource Center.” Yes, they and many more Lopez medical-related businesses and nonprofits are good causes, however, they should be aided by shopping, using their services, and/or privately donating to them. Tax what you need, not want you want, equals more affordable homes and businesses. Please carefully read the underlined proposition words and attend the LWV Forum April 4 at Grace Church at 5 p.m.

“The San Juan County Council adopted Resolution No. 9-2017 regarding the formation of a Public Hospital District. If approved, Public Hospital District No. 2 would be established with a boundary of all land within precincts of Lopez North and Lopez South with the purpose of operating health care facilities and providing hospital services and other health care services.”

Ballots mailed April 4th. No Voters’ Pamphlet will be mailed. Read Arguments For and Against, and Board candidate names, at Elections website: www.sanjuanco.com/elections.

Linda Noreen

Lopez Island