Questioning special meetings by hospital board

Congratulations to our newly elected board members.

Since sworn into office the board has called three “Special Meetings” at the cost of $104 per each board member, two of which were called by the new members.

The first meeting lasted seven minutes in length, costing the district $416 (4 x $104, Kirk D. absent) plus attorney fees that in the past has ran over $700 each meeting time plus mileage from Spokane.

This will make a total of four meetings in January. The purpose of this meeting was to recognize Randall Stamper as the official attorney of the district.

My question is why did this have to be a special meeting and why not put this on the agenda at the regular meeting in January?

Did the board get bids on attorneys? If so, those weren’t discussed but the recognition of Randall Stamper was already in place before the meeting began as the posting read on the door.

As I recall part of their campaign was to be, “transparent.” It makes me wonder how that decision came about without a prior meeting.

The last special meeting called for a termination of our Coast to Coast Health Care Services but without any plans for the future for a doctor for our hospital.

I have heard numerous times in the community how wonderful the doctors have been and how they supported the community.

In fact, I personally saw Dr. Jenkins visit numerous booths at our local craft fair in December, purchase homemade and handcrafted items supporting the vendors there.

Even though our clinic is struggling, the hospital numbers have been strong since these doctors have supported the services of the hospital, including swing bed, x-ray services, blood work, physical therapy and etcetera.

Our hospital employs over 70 people in the community. I can’t imagine what our town will be like without our hospital. More empty houses and people moving out of the area for lack of work.

Please support our district by attending the hospital board meetings. The next meeting is this Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.

My question for the board would be, “What are the plans for the future for the hospital and what direction do you plan to take?”

Will we have a hospital or is the future of our town with a “Super Clinic” and will it be state supported or will we, as taxpayers, be paying for that clinic?

We hope to see you in the seats and find out what is going on. Thank you.

Lynn Greenwalt, Ritzville