We need Burgstahler's experience on POHD board

When you receive your Bonner County property tax statement each year, you see a pie with slices representing the percent going to various entities, such as the library. The hospital district is a very thin slice of that pie, but a critical one for our hospital and its associated clinics.

One person who particularly understands this is Dr. Scott Burgstahler, running for a second term as a trustee (an unpaid, non-partisan position). He has spoken out clearly about the vital importance of keeping our local hospital solvent so it can remain just that: local and independent. Without the annual tax support it would be in trouble, due to the declining number of in-patient stays and the number of people who are served but cannot pay for their care (rural hospitals all over the state have the same problem).

We are fortunate to have a long-time Sandpoint resident who also happens to be a long-time physician here, attuned to the health care needs of our community. He believes that it is essential to help fund critical clinics, such as Women’s Health, Psychiatric Care, and the new Ear Nose Throat Clinic.

We need his experience, common sense, and dedication to excellent, locally available medical care. Vote for Dr. Scott Burgstahler for Pend Oreille Hospital District trustee on Tuesday, May 21.

RAE CHARLTON

Sandpoint