Plans have always been transparent

Published 4:29 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2009

We were surprised and disappointed to see yet another letter by Barb Lamoureux (Sunday) suggesting that Providence Regional Medical Center Everett has been less than forthcoming with its neighbors. We are not in the habit of dueling through the letters column, choosing instead to work with our community and neighbors in an open and genuine manner. This time, however, we are compelled to respond because of Ms. Lamoureux’s ongoing attempt to revise history.

Neither Providence nor the city said in 2005 that no future expansion would occur to the hospital campus. Quite the contrary, the City Council made very clear that if, and when, expansion did occur, it had to be to the north, onto property then owned by Everett Community College. No expansion was to occur onto existing residential property. In 2008 that is exactly the proposal approved by the City Council and in 2009 is exactly the facility being developed. We are excited over the prospect of our nationally recognized medical center expanding to meet the growing need. The project will pump millions into our local economy and provide construction-related jobs today. As the need for health care grows over time, we will add additional health-care jobs. We will continue to provide services to all who come through our doors.

We continue to talk to our neighbors, hold community meetings and adjust our planning based on comments we receive. Our planning has been transparent, Ms. Lamoureux knows it and her suggestions to the contrary are simply wrong.

We value our neighbors and community as much today as we have over the past century in Everett. We will carry those values into the future.

Janice Hallady

Chair, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Board of Directors