County ignored 10 years of warning

Published 1:33 pm Friday, August 15, 2008

I was quite disappointed with The Herald’s Aug. 13 article, “County, cities urged to aid Snohomish Health District.”

It seems The Herald has taken a “back seat” to the Seattle Times in reporting what will be an enormous impact on Snohomish County, when there will be major reductions in public health services to residents.

Not only has the County Executive and County Council ignored the Health District’s requests for increased funding in the past 10 years, The Herald is minimizing the effects the lack of funding will create for our community members by providing incomplete and unclear information.

It is just now, after 10 years, that the County Executive’s office is addressing the concerns that the Health District predicted would happen if the county did not provide increased funding for vital public health services. A plea to the cities of Snohomish County comes years late.

In the article, Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers states that for cities to assist the county in funding, “this will be a very tough sell to take on additional (financial) responsibilities” and “I think it is inevitable that there will be layoffs at the Health District.”

Each of us is aware times are tough. We see it and feel it in our daily lives. But for the County Executive and County Council to have ignored the critical health rights of our population until now and try to pass the “buck” to our cities is unforgivable. It is unfortunate, due to this lack of foresight, the added stress of financial burdens has eroded further the chance for providing funding of critical health care service for our residents.

Public health has become the ping pong ball in the game between the County Executive and the County Council. The Herald should begin “heralding” the news so that information is completely explained. Then residents will know why the programs of our health department have been severely decreased or eliminated.

Barbara J. Webber