This letter is a demand for the outgoing members of the majority of the Board of the San Juan Island Public Hospital District to cease and desist with their ill-considered rush to cede control of EMS services. The Fire District has been prudent in its decision to await a unanimous vote of the new board.

Many of the families for whom I provide care, knowing that I have made comments in the past, have asked me to speak out at this crucial moment. This has been an ugly time and our community which pays for the services to demand better. The ongoing arrogance of the cabal in the inappropriate settlement with the prior EMS chief; the backdoor discussions with PIMC that potentially undermine state-mandated women’s health and reproductive services; the lack of transparent communications with all current members, and the alleged attempts to sway new board members in the guise of “educating” them even before their election. All of these actions have led many to question the legitimacy of the board as a whole and is the sort of dangerous behavior which places current and future levy increases at serious risk.

It is acknowledged that each departing Board member genuinely feels that they have the best interests of the community in mind. Hence this plea for them to exit with some semblance of dignity and grace, leaving this unfinished business to a newly reconstitute board lest they are thought of like Caesar: “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.”

Mark Fishaut, MD, FAAP

Friday Harbor