We need a change on the hospital district board

Are you aware that the property taxes you pay for the Pend Oreille Hospital District end up in the coffers of Bonner General Health in their entirety? The hospital then uses them for funding not only its own operations but has provided some support for clinics in Boundary County and even Montana?

The POHD’s legal duty per Idaho Code 39-1318 is the responsible stewardship of POHD property taxes to support public hospitals and medical clinics in its district. That district includes approximately two-thirds of Bonner County and BGH is not the only public health facility in the district. The district does not include other counties or states.

Yet for reasons unknown and unexplained, POHD tax dollars went to funding a women’s health clinic in Bonners Ferry in form of a BGH doctor’s and RN’s salary to provide services to Boundary County residents. And in 2016 and 2017, POHD tax dollars provided facility funding of a medical clinic in Noxon, Mont.

That’s why we need a change on the POHD board. On May 21 you can do that with your vote for Spencer Hutchings, who is running against an incumbent on that board.

Spencer is a local businessman who is known for his integrity. Seeing our tax dollars spent as prescribed by law is a priority for him. Additionally, he has an executive-level background in the medical administration field.

Please join me in voting for Spencer Hutchings on May 21.

JOHN OLDFIELD

Sandpoint