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NEWS | San Juan County Sheriff’s Log [2] EDITORIAL| why do we report on crime? [7] OUTDOORS | Watch out for spurge laurel [11]
WEDNESDAY, October 14, 2015 n VOL. 108, NO. 41 n 75¢
Q&A with hospital board commissioner candidates
The Journal is running a Q&A with the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 board candidates. Read three Q&As in this edition and find more questions at www.sanjuanjournal.com. Question 1: Why are you running for the hospital district board position? 2: What is the role of the hospital board commissioner? 3. In this nonpartisan race there has been heated debate on issues like abortion and end of life directives, how will your beliefs on these subjects affect you in the non-partisan role as commissioner?
Michelle Loftus (Running for commissioner position 2) 1. The selection of SJCPHD commissioners will affect every islander’s sense of wellbeing. I am an experienced and compassionate candidate with a resume that fits this position like a glove. My business sense will watch our tax dollars closely and negotiate legal
issues carefully. My administrative and managerial skills from corporate and private institutions will aid Emergency Medical Service needs. My medical training allows me to speak the same language as EMS and Peace Island Medical Center leadership. My political experience provides recognition of threatening forces challenging our district. Community leadership roles have ingrained a love for my friends and neighbors. We must have quality healthcare in our district. I will enjoy defending our island way of life passionately for you. 2. The SJCPHD commission monitors the two hospital district levies and has oversight of EMS. One levy is for EMS services. One levy is for hospital services with PIMC. The commission meets monthly for reporting from EMS and PIMC. Budgets and projects are reviewed. The commission also hears public input at
the monthly meetings. SJCPHD reports are available to all on the website. The commission will need to be prepared for the American Civil Liberties Union suits against communities like ours that depend on a faith based hospital. We will need to defend ourselves when the threat comes. I am ready. 3. SJCPHD commissioners must follow the law no matter what their religious or political beliefs. I am fair and compassionate. I know the law. I am honest. I make tough decisions by careful listening and analysis daily. In my term as SJCPHD commissioner I will be beholden to only district constituents. I have taken no political party or special interest group endorsement for this election which could affect my judgement. Publicly I have stated that I am a pro-life supporter. For this decision of faith I have received great
Contributed photos
From left to right Michelle Loftus, Barbara Sharp, Monica Harrington, Jenny Ledford, William “Doc” Hancock and Bill Williams.
criticism and a few screamers at my fair booth. I believe we need pro-life and pro-choice supporters to come together for our island needs. Women’s healthcare needs are presently being met by private providers, PIMC, the County Health Department and Planned Parenthood. There is no need to rock this boat here. PIMC honors Patient End of Life Directives relating to CPR, ventilation, nutrition and pain relief issues. The Death with Dignity Prescription is only prescribed by certified physicians. If you want this service you must travel to such a physician. It is not unlike traveling to a specialist for other needs. SJCPHD has no power to interfere with this matter. So you see that voting for me is a good decision whether we go to different churches or vote a certain
way. I will be honored to represent all islanders with compassion and truth within the law. Barbara Sharp (Running for commissioner position 2) 1. I am running for commissioner position 2 because I firmly believe that I can make a positive difference in providing the best possible range of health care services to all islanders, delivered efficiently and in compliance with the law. I am a retired attorney, and relish the opportunity to use my analytic thinking, along with a rational and pragmatic approach to decision-making in a manner that serves my community. Further, in considering the See BOARD, Page 3
Ferry reservation system open to comment By Anna V. Smith Journal reporter
A meeting with Washington State Ferry personnel discussed the trials and tribulations of creating a reservation system to best meet the needs of visitors, residents and commercial traffic to the San Juan Islands. On Oct. 8, the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau hosted a meeting with local business owners and WSF Reservations Program Manager Brian Churchwell, Terminal Operations Manager Dwight Hutchinson and Senior Customer Service Manager Susan Harris-Huether, amongst others to talk about how the reservation system is working, or not working, for locals. Churchwell said that any adjustments they make will be made over winter and spring to be ready for next summer’s tourist season. Churchwell started off by presenting a review of the summer ferry season, noting that
ridership in 2015 was up overall compared to 2014, which was the highest ridership year the Anacortes/San Juan Island route has ever seen. The only month that dipped down was August, and Churchwell said it’s difficult to know why ridership in August was down compared to 2014. “It’s hard to make a definitive reason as to why ridership was up or down, from looking at the numbers,” Churchwell said, citing possibilities like fluctuating August weather and limited vessel capacity due to the Elwha being out of commission since July, cutting their capacity by 18 percent. According to Churchwell, over the summer 2,667 people per day travelled with a reservation, and analyzing online data found that 25 percent of reservations were made the day before or the same day of travel. Churchwell said the reservation system has to figure out a way to cater to three different kinds of travel-
ers; the early planner, commercial traffic, and the last-minute traveler. An online survey to WSF customers found that 83 percent said the website easy to use, and just 9 percent said it was difficult.A member of the audience pointed out that those figures may not be representative of those who use the system, since online surveys may not be readily accessible to all, and if they truly have difficulty with the online system, may not express that through another online system. Respondents to the survey said that some improvements could be reducing the time window required to be at the terminal, currently at 30 minutes, as well as providing more drive-up space, currently at 10 percent of a ferry’s capacity. Churchwell said that a postcard concerning the survey was sent out to residents, but that not everyone received it for an unidentified See FERRY, Page 5
Sales deadline
2015 Women in Business publishes the week of Oct. 21 in the Journal, Sounder & Weekly. Sales Deadline: Wed., Oct. 14, 2015. For more info, call the Journal 378-5696.