April 25, 2017 Special Election
Online Voters’ Guide
San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 2
Proposition No. 1
Establishment of a Public Hospital District
The San Juan County Council adopted Resolution No. 9-2017 regarding the formation of a Public Hospital District. If
approved, Public Hospital District No. 2 would be established with a boundary of all land within precincts of Lopez
North and Lopez South with the purpose of operating health care facilities and providing hospital services and other
health care services.
Shall San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 2 be established?
For
Against
Explanatory Statement (written by Randall K. Gaylord, San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney)
A petition was submitted to the San Juan County Council requesting that voters consider a proposition to establish a
hospital district in the county with a boundary that includes all of the land within the precincts of Lopez North and
Lopez South. This will include all of Lopez Island. It will be called San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 2.
If approved by a majority of those voting, this measure will establish a public hospital district with authority to own
and operate hospitals and other health care facilities and to provide hospital services and other health care services
for the residents of the district and other persons.
Initially, five commissioners of the public hospital district will govern the district, each of whom must reside in the
district and will be elected at-large from voters in the entire district. Each person duly elected will serve a short term
that is staggered based upon the number of votes with those receiving the most votes serving the longest initial
term. Successor commissioners will be elected to serve full terms at future district elections.
This is a petition for formation of the public hospital district only. If the district is approved, the district commissioners
will adopt a budget, which includes sources of revenue (service fees, regular property tax, excess property tax,
and/or bonding) and expenses. Some sources of revenue may require public hearings and/or voter approval before
an assessment is made.
A “For" vote is in favor of the establishment of the public hospital district for Lopez Island. An “Against” vote is
against the formation of the public hospital district for Lopez Island.
Arguments For and Against on next page
Argument For
Argument Against
This winter the Lopez community decided to pursue
creation of a Public Hospital District (PHD) to insure
long-term security for health care on Lopez. Over 500
voters petitioned for an election to decide if a PHD
should be created.
I am asking you to vote “no” on the April ballot for the
Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) that would create a
new taxing district which would be funded from property
taxes. I have three points that I would like you to
consider when voting on this measure.
Operation of the clinic is critical. Many use the clinic for
primary care, but even for those who normally go
elsewhere, the clinic is our only urgent care. Clinic staff
work with paramedics after hours and weekends
providing advanced cardiac life support and rapid access
to hospitals via emergency air transport. They do wound
and fracture care, and stabilize severely ill or injured
patients awaiting transfer.
First, granting this taxing district would allow the LIHD to
collect $800,000 each year from property tax even
though they do not know how much money they need to
operate the clinic.
An elected board will run the PHD. Each possible
operational structure for the clinic creates a scenario
requiring higher financial commitment for long term
operation. The PHD will have taxing authority with the
rate determined by the board based on their budget. By
fall, the path to continued operation and associated costs
will be worked into the PHD budget. The maximum tax
rate is $0.75/$1,000 assessed value, or $338/year for a
home valued at $450,000.
Lopez Clinic medical practitioners and physical therapists
see over 50 patients daily. Many patients will use limited
ferry space to seek off island care without the clinic.
Other possible impacts include lower property values
with buyers reluctant to purchase without medical care
access, job loss for clinic staff, as well as the detrimental
effects on other healthcare facilities.
Second, the only restriction as to what the property tax
money can be spent on is that it funds a medical-related
service on Lopez. All money does not have to go to the
clinic.
Third, the clinic board is rushing this vote before a
partner has been secured; the clinic will not close if this
vote fails. At community informational meetings earlier
this year, the Catherine Washburn Medical Association
(CWMA) said the clinic could operate with existing
monies for three to four years and our local doctor said
five years. The CWMA has three million dollars in
reserve plus other monies.
When I was growing up on Lopez we had no clinic and I
am so glad that we now do. Before we pass this measure
the clinic board should secure a partner, provide
financials to show how much property tax money is
needed to run the clinic for a year, and tell us exactly
where the money will be spent.
We need our clinic. Please support it.
Rebuttal of Argument Against
No rebuttals allowed
Argument Prepared By
Lopez Public Hospital District Advocacy Committee:
Marty Clark
Jim Ghiglione
Rick McCoy
For more information:
Marty Clark: [email protected]
Jim Ghiglione: [email protected]
Rick McCoy: [email protected]
Rebuttal of Argument For
No rebuttals allowed
Argument Prepared By
Dan Post, Lopez Island
Hospital Commissioner 1 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Christa Campbell
Elected Experience: No information submitted
Other Professional Experience: No information submitted
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Dietetics
Community Service: No information submitted
Statement: I filed to become a Hospital District Commissioner because, as part of the search committee working
to help secure our clinic’s future, I can provide knowledge and continuity to the Hospital District Board as the
Commissioners continue the important work to ensure health care for our island community. I moved to Lopez in
1983, married and raised a family. After six years as a consulting dietitian for nursing homes, WIC and Head
Start programs, I co-directed Camp Nor’wester from 1989 until I retired in 2012. Early volunteer work with the
Senior Lunch program, as a charter member of the Lopez Community Center Board and 11+ years on the Lopez
School Board has given me valuable experience working with our community. I currently serve as a San Juan
County Land Bank Commissioner and I serve on the boards for the Lopez Lions and the Cathe rine Washburn
Medical Association.
Contact:
(360) 468-4822
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 2 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
George LeBoutillier
Elected Experience: None
Other Professional Experience: None
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Economics, 1968, St. Lawrence University
Community Service: US Navy, retired Lieutenant USNR. During my entrepreneurial business career I served
my community as follows: Toledo Area Small Business Association, Director; Toledo Area Chamber of
Commerce, Director; Maumee Valley Country Day School, Trustee, Chairman, and Endowment Fund Trustee;
The Toledo Hospital (now ProMedica), Director; Toledo Rowing Foundation, Trustee and Chairman; YMCA
Storer Camps, Director. After moving to Lopez, I have volunteered with LCCA, Tour de Lopez, and my wife and I
have joined and volunteer with the Lopez Lions Club and Grace Episcopal Church.
Statement: If elected I will bring my business, financial, and community service experiences to the Commission
to establish the proper structure and management of the taxation income on behalf of the Lopez Island Clinic
and the Lopez Island Taxpayers.
Contact:
(360) 468-2683
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 2 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Rebecca Presley
Elected Experience: No information submitted
Other Professional Experience: Raised in a small farming community in Illinois, I graduated from college with
a teaching credential, moved to California, married, had a family, and began to teach. In 1985, I became a
principal and in 1998, a superintendent. For 9 years I was responsible for 5,000+ students in eleven schools,
700 employees, annual budgets of over $49 million dollars, and three general obligation bonds to build schools. I
spent twenty-two years in the same district and retired in 2007. In 2015, I made Lopez Isl and my home and
since that time have dedicated myself to serving this Community.
Education: No information submitted
Community Service: No information submitted
Statement: During the thirty years I worked in the public school system as a teacher, a principal, and finally a
superintendent, I learned that when citizens select individuals to guide their institutions, they demand
competence, courage, and honesty. Making decisions on behalf of a community requires a full measure of
personal integrity.
I came to Lopez Island to live because the sense of community and quality of life are beyond compare. I believe
that I have a responsibility to contribute as much as possible to sustain the very things that make this Island
extraordinary. I am on the boards of several non-profit groups. The Clinic is essential to the health and welfare of
residents and visitors to Lopez. I chose to run for Public Health District Commissioner because it matters so
much. I know how to exercise the due diligence and sound judgement required to protect and sustain our Lopez
Clinic.
Contact:
(360) 468-3900
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 2 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Phil Paige
Elected Experience: No previous elected office.
Other Professional Experience: Phil Paige worked for fire and emergency medical service (EMS) departments
in Washington, Oregon and California. He began his career as a Firefighter/EMT in Woodinville, Washington in
1980 and retired as the Fire Chief in Newport, Oregon in 2014.
Education: Phil Paige has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s in Public Administration from City
University of Seattle, attended Seattle University School of Law and a program for senior officials in local
government at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Community Service: Currently a volunteer firefighter with Lopez Island Fire and EMS.
Statement: While I have never held an elected office, I have many years of leadership experience providing
high quality, cost effective public fire and emergency medical services. I am familiar with public budgeting, open
public meetings, and community involvement in decision making.
The new hospital district will provide economic stability for our Lopez Clinic, and allow future improvements to
medical services available on the island. I believe the key to enhancing medical services will be forming strategic
partnerships, and maintaining a high level of public involvement as the district is formed and services are
prioritized. The challenges of providing medical services on a rural island are many. However, with continued
community involvement, and partnerships with other service providers, we can continue to provide – and
improve upon – the high quality local medical services we have come to expect.
Contact:
(360) 622-9100
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 3 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Iris Graville
Elected Experience: None
Other Professional Experience: 40 years as a registered nurse in hospitals, county and state public health
departments, and schools. Statewide nurse consultant regarding health regulations and policies for early
childhood settings and boarding homes. Editor of Health Matters, quarterly newsletter of Lopez Island Medical
Clinic. Author of Hands at Work and BOUNTY: Lopez Island Farmers, Food, and Community.
Education: MFA, Creative Writing – Northwest Institute of Literary Arts; Master of Nursing – University of
Washington; BS, Nursing – University of Evansville
Community Service: Chimera Artists’ Cooperative Board; Lopez Community Land Trust Board; Chair,
Washington State Child Care Coordinating Committee; Washington State Public Health Association, VicePresident
Statement: Having recently retired from a forty-year nursing career, I bring knowledge and experience to the
new Public Hospital District. Through my work in hospitals, county and state public health departments, early
childhood settings and schools, and education for nurses and the public, I understand the issues and systems
that promote health and prevent and treat illness. As a provider, advocate, and policymaker, I acquired skill in
listening, problem solving, and advocating for health. During my twenty years on Lopez, I’ve gained
understanding about our community by serving on boards of the Lopez Community Land Trust and Chimera
Gallery, volunteering with several Lopez nonprofits, and writing about people and issues here, including Lopez
Medical Clinic.
Qualities equally as important as my experience include: values for equality and justice, compassion, and a
sense of humor. I look forward to working to maintain and strengthen the services that keep our community
healthy.
Contact:
(360) 468-2602
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 4 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
James Orcutt
Elected Experience: None
Other Professional Experience: Jim Orcutt retired as University of Washington Professor of Ophthalmology in
2015. He was the National Director of Ophthalmology for Veterans Affairs and Chief of Surgery for the VA region
(Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho).
Education: Jim Orcutt received degrees as Bachelor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology and
Medical Doctor from the University of Colorado. He completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at the University
of Washington in 1981.
Community Service: Jim was the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Northwest School. He was President of
the American Board of Ophthalmology and currently Board Chair for the Lopez Hamlet.
Statement: The Public Hospital Commissioners will be the stewards of your tax dollars – setting the levy and
assuring that funds are used to provide maximum healthcare value. Jim Orcutt’s healthcare systems and budget
experience, coupled with long family ties to the island make him uniquely prepared for this role. Jim Orcutt has
had family on Lopez since 1971 and retired to Lopez in 2015.
It is important that at least one Commissioner have healthcare experience, especially related to topics important
to the clinic, e.g. electronic medical records and quality-based reimbursement. Jim has such experience; he was
on the National Veterans Affairs commission that wrote diabetes guidelines and implemented them in practice
across the United States. He has had specific training in working with groups to implement healthcare change.
He helped develop and implement the use of electronic medical records in the VA and University of Washington.
Contact:
(360) 468-2783
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 4 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Kirman Taylor
Elected Experience: No information submitted
Other Professional Experience: 1968-9 New York City Welfare Department; 1970-73 Monroe County, NY –
Child Protective Services and Foster Care; 1974-75 University of Michigan Hospital Emergency Room Social
Worker; 1976-1994 Real Estate Broker, Seattle, WA; 1994-2007 General Contractor
Education: 1968 – AB History, University of Rochester; 1974 – MSW, University of Michigan
Community Service: Treasurer and President of Lopez Community Tennis Association (4 years); Co-Founder
of Lopez Community Trails Network (7 years); LOHO Board – Building Committee Chairman (6 Years)
Statement: Lopez Clinic faces a unique and challenging opportunity to engage the community’s financial
support. I want to strengthen the Clinic to assure it continues to serve Lopez.
Lopezians have a history of thinking outside of the box to solve hard problems. With stron g leadership, we can
do that again. As a former social worker I offer a compassionate philosophy rooted in our interdependent
community spirit. And as a businessman I combine a strong sense of social responsibility with a realistic sense
of what is achievable. I will act prudently, understanding there are limits to resources.
I will seek the community’s input, and work as a team with the other commissioners to develop a plan that is
financially responsible to keep our Clinic viable.
Contact:
(360) 468-2474
[email protected]
Hospital Commissioner 5 San Juan County
6-year initial term
Public Hospital District #2
San Juan
Albert Berger
Elected Experience: No information submitted
Other Professional Experience: I am a retired UW School of Medicine faculty member. For over 35 years I
taught medical, nursing, dental and graduate students biomedical science courses. At the UW I headed a
biomedical research laboratory that was grant funded from the National Institutes of Health. For 5 years I
directed the Office of Research and Graduate Education, where I had administrative and oversight responsibility
for all research at UW Medicine.
Education: I have two Ph.D. degrees, one in Chemical Engineering from Princeton and the other in Physiology
from the University of California, San Francisco.
Community Service: No information submitted
Statement: Lopez needs to continue to have an excellent primary care medical facility. It is my goal to devote
myself as a Commissioner to make sure that this need is met. I believe that quality medical care is of paramount
importance to Lopezians, and this goal can be achieved by having a superior staff, excellent facilities, all with
sound budgeting.
Now that I am retired I will devote my unhindered efforts to achieve this goal for the residents of Lopez. My
professional experiences at the UW, both as a faculty member and an administrator, will provide a unique and
important perspective to the Lopez Hospital District. I have experience being in charge of multi-million dollar
budgets, supervising dozens of personnel, and setting and communicating realistic goals that can be achieved.
As a part of the Lopez community for over 25 years, this gives me an understanding of its n eeds.
Contact:
(360) 468-4027
[email protected]