Harrison Medical Center

Cancer center would benefit Poulsbo

This letter is a reponse to “Would Poulsbo campus serve the people?” (re: Harrison Medical Center-Aug. 15, 2008) by John Bradford of Poulsbo.

With all due respect to Mr. Bradford, I, too, am tired of some of the decisions made regarding my community and my tax monies. I am disgusted with some of the aspects of growth that don’t benefit me personally.

Mr. Bradford, cancer treatment is not “speculation” in any way. “Real estate speculation?” Hardly … cancer is real, and if you have not been affected by it personally or through a loved one, I envy you. You suggest that “the common good of Poulsbo’s citizens should be the primary focus in using retail tax-generated dollars which go to the city of Poulsbo. “These city-held dollars should be used so Poulsbo’s citizens primarily benefit from them.”

What do you consider a “benefit?” Monetary budget only? What about those unfortunate citizens ravaged by this indiscriminate disease? Would you not think a closer facility for treatment would benefit the patient as well as the families of cancer patients?

Would you prefer another Wal-Mart in Poulsbo? What about Burger King?

How in the world can you, in the same paragraph, cite statistics regarding the percentage of citizens without health insurance, saying, “goodbye life savings and hello Medicare or Medicaid” and not recognize the savings in today’s economy not having to travel out of town to have life-saving treatment? What about those who are trying to work during their treatment and are fortunate enough to have insurance, taking off additional time to travel, paying for gas, depending on loved ones for transportation? What about the elderly and others who can’t drive and have to pay someone to drive them to Bremerton or ferry over to Seattle? Do you realize that during the weeks and months of treatment some otherwise able-bodied individuals are unable to drive after their treatment?

Getting “potential buyers involved” would be a great money-making business decision so that the “citizens of Poulsbo benefit the most for their money which the city has collected from them.” I feel comfortable saying that for some of the citizens of Poulsbo the health and well-being of our family and friends is much more of a benefit to us than the money generated by some other business.

It makes me wonder, sir, when you suggest that other uses for the 10th Avenue property would be a “good fit for the citizens of Poulsbo and their common good,” of you or a loved one has been touched by cancer? I hope not, but please, Mr. Bradford, please try to find a place in your heart to accept benefit in other ways … money is not everything.

Cathy Powell

Poulsbo

Decision 2008

She missed the

conventions, too

Loved your Celestial Musings. I, too, skipped the convention soap operas.

After careful consideration of all the presidential aspirants, I have come to the conclusion that none of them are running for the presidency. They are all running for Air Force One so they can travel the world in luxury while the taxpayers pick up the tab.

Muriel Williams

Poulsbo

Yes, Obama

and Biden

No, McCain and Palin, No more Bush! We’ve heard lots of hoopla and distortions. Solutions to critical issues must be unearthed from the garbage.

I believe Senators Obama and Biden have the ability, knowledge, and expertise to identify and expedite solutions to critical issues: They will increase diplomatic negotiations with other nations, successfully bring the Iraq war to an end, and safely bring our forces home. They will help to provide education, professional opportunities and health care for our returning service personnel. They will reestablish a healthier economy in many ways: They will decrease tax cuts for the rich and decrease the growing income gap that exists in our nation. Obama and Biden will help to establish new green industries, careers, and jobs.

They have a plan for encouraging the development of alternative energy sources and the creation of more jobs. More jobs will also be created as a sound infrastructure is built. They will increase care of wildlife and our planet and decrease excuses for polluting. They will decrease the interference with the balance of nature.

For example, I am disturbed about wolves in Alaska being shot and killed from airplanes so that hunters will have more caribou and moose to kill. They will carefully help to select Supreme Court judges whose decisions will be based on laws established by our constitution.

Helen Hoover

Kingston

State politics

Voting for Dino

Dear voters, let us focus on what our state legislators are costing us and our families. In the four years of Christine Gregoire’s administration our state’s spending has increased by more than $8,000,000!

That is a 33 percent increase.

We now face a $2.7 billion deficit.

Representative Sherry Appleton told me that there is no place to cut in the budget. That means that we must look forward to increased taxes and fees.

I will not vote for any incumbent who supported this insane policy. We must throw the rascals out. I will vote for Dino Rossi. He has a record of fiscal responsibility.

Joan W. Gorner

Poulsbo