REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012 | Vol. 112, No. 46 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
THE GO-AHEAD VOTE
Island couple to marry in the wake of Referendum 74
Harrison Medical Center expands to Bainbridge Island BY RICHARD D. OXLEY
BY RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review
Bainbridge Island Review
George Lewis knows the moment well. It changed his life. It was 1991. He was in Greece, exploring Athens with a friend, David. The day was pleasant, until David fell ill. “David had not been feeling well and it turned out he was passing a kidney stone,” George Lewis said. They hopped in a car, and hurried back to their hotel while David went through his rather painful condition. Little did they know, as they were rushing past ruins of immense history, they were forging the beginning of their future. “We got halfway there, he said, ‘I think I’m going to pass out.’ And he did,” Lewis said. He stopped the car and carried David to some shade in a grove of pomegranate trees. “I was holding his head, and he finally woke up,” George said. “And it’s strange to say, but it was a very lovely experience.” George and David Lewis have been together ever since; for 21 years. “Meeting and knowing David, his enthusiasm, and our talent together, that was just it,” George said. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. David has a warm heart.” After David recovered, the two went for a drive to Mount Parnassus. They officially decided it would be them, together, from then on out. “We were driving up on a beautiful mountain,” Lewis said. “We knew then that we were going to be in a solid relationship.” But it wasn’t the last mountain the two to take on together. The two embarked on a venture together over the coming years, starting their own business as artists — Little and Lewis.
CALL THEM CHAMPIONS: Spartans earn three state titles in swimming. A14
Photo courtesy of David Lewis
George and David Lewis have been together for 21 years, as artists and as a couple. After Washington approved R-74, the decided to get married.
“We were driving up a beautiful mountain. We knew then that we were going to be in a solid relationship.”
Related story inside Bainbridge Island voters approved same-sex marriage by more-thanlandslide proportions, a Review analysis of precinct returns has found. See A8.
George Lewis Engaged to be married after passage of R-74
And during this time, while it was clear to themselves, their friends and family that they were a couple, they still were not widely recognized as such. With the passing of Referendum 74 in
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Washington state, George and David, at 68 and 57 years young respectively, are getting married. “It’s about time.” David said. “It’s about time for both of us, after SEE MARRY, A19
One of Kitsap’s largest medical care providers is expanding to Bainbridge Island. Harrison Medical Center announced that it has purchased 2.5 acres of land on the corner of New Brooklyn Road and Madison Avenue. The hospital plans to build a 13,000-square-foot facility to provide urgent care on Bainbridge Island. “This represents our commitment to extend access to Harrison for the Bainbridge Island Community,” said Scott Bosch, president and CEO of Harrison Medical Center. “Right now, Bainbridge residents have the furthest to go for 24-hour a day healthcare services. When our center opens, it will be just minutes away,” he said. Harrison Medical Center currently offers urgent care services at its other facilities in Port Orchard and Belfair. The Bainbridge Island facility will also house a primary care clinic, in addition to community-based specialty practice physicians. The hospital chose the island location for its proximity to other local services and long-term care facilities. City officials welcomed the hospital’s announcement. “I’m supportive of adding more medical services to the island,” said Councilman Steve Bonkowski. “With the demographics of the island I think it’s a good thing.” “I can’t say anything but ‘Welcome,’” said Councilwoman Anne Blair. “We are very pleased to have another important business on the island and it’s exciting to have them providing services to our island community.” “Competition is always a tricky thing,” she added. “But it certainly bodes well for the healthcare services on the island. I’m pleased the options are expanding.” Serving more patients from Bainbridge Island has been a central component of the hospital’s plan for growth. Harrison Medical Center has a five-year goal SEE HARRISON, A19