I guess anyone with money can buy silence these days to cover up misuse of taxpayer money. The Valley Medical Center hospital commissioner race has been highly unpublicized but is such an important matter in this district. With these hard economic times, our tax dollars (as Valley is a publicly funded hospital) are being used to build expensive additions to the hospital and payout outrageous retirement bonuses while laying off personnel and cutting charity care programs. There are folks that want to change it like Dr. Aaron Heide. It does not bother him that the hospital will make life miserable for him because he wants and demands change. He is willing to risk all that he has to get the word out. Even if he does not win the election, he will still be glad he tried. The question is why is this getting so little coverage? Just because it’s not billions of dollars but millions? Is there anything you can do to at least get the issue out there?

On Monday Oct. 12 there was supposed to be a debate for hospital commissioner for Valley Medical Center. It was to be held at the Kent Senior Center. Dr. Aaron Heide and (currently on the commission) Mike Miller (banker) were to debate how under Mike Miller millions of tax payer dollars were being wasted and why there should be a physician on the commission to bring to light quality of care that should be the number one goal of a hospital and spending the money the hospital does get from taxes wiser. Mike Miller backed out of the debate at the last minute leaving many voters wondering what he has to hide. Dr. Heide still attended to answer questions to those who hadn’t heard the debate was canceled and still showed up.

Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated. There just is no voice for the “PEOPLE” anymore.

Bernadette Rice

Renton