Resolve issues at the bargaining table

I am writing this letter in response to the full page ads being submitted as "letters" to Sheryl Rickard, BGH CEO.

These letters are paid for by local Teamster representative, Val Holstrom. Though I have complete and total respect for the nursing staff at BGH, their average hourly income puts them in the top wage category for our town.

Of course KMC and Sacred Heart pay more per hour, they are both in much larger cities. I am once again disgusted by the behavior of the Teamster's Union in trying to portray Sheryl Rickard and BGH as unwilling to participate fully and fairly in these negotiations.

This has been reported in the Daily Bee that BGH and the union have come to an agreement on 85 percent of the contract. Instead of turning this into a negative campaign against Sheryl Rickard, let us all stick to the bargaining table.

Those of us who call Sandpoint home, as well as the multitude of visitors to our beautiful area, hope that we can retain a hospital with high standards of care, which is also fiscally responsible. Otherwise, we will find ourselves driving to KMC, Sacred Heart, etc., for all our medical needs.

SHELLY DESHON

Sandpoint