In reading the history of Stevens Hospital, one learns that the public conceived, funded and approved its building in 1963. Now our taxes provide support, while many volunteers help with time and donations. Stevens operates in the bounds of the public’s Hospital District, and its leadership (staff and Commission) are responsible to the taxpayers for many things, including responding to e-mails.
On two occasions in 2008, I e-mailed the CEO and Commissioners. And each time there was no response. I also added a request to each e-mail. That is to correct the map at the bottom of the last page of the hospital’s newsletter, Health POINTE. Why? Because it misrepresents the hospital’s boundaries in our neighborhood. It suggests possible “ownership” of properties that belong to homeowners, the high school, TOP Food &Drugs, a casino and other private parties. A simple correction was requested and rejected!
Why is this important? It goes back to March 2008 and articles about the hospital possibly condemning our neighborhood. Hearing this during a public meeting, I raised the concern in the local press. As expected hospital officials denied the consideration (Enterprise, March 7). Then during the 2008 summer, one of our neighbors reported that Stevens repeatedly asked them to sell their home to the hospital. And here we thought the hospital had no interest in our properties!
So what’s a citizen/taxpayer to make of this? By my readings, Stevens is spending some good coin to upgrade its business. Its partnership with Swedish expands. Union contracts are settled, yet all is not completely well. Is the hope for its future tied to consultants and reports? To equipment and paint? Possible expansion, partnerships or new taxes? No, the future lies in simple things like transparency before the public (Edmonds City Council, June 17, 2008), providing more information in its sparse meeting minutes, and answering e-mails. This is how the public’s investment in 1963 remains viable into the 21st century.
Jim Underhill
Edmonds
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