I am pleased to see the Willapa Harbor Hospital board making an effort to communicate to North County property owners and renters.

I personally met with Matt Kempton and Steve Holland on March 13, weeks after the overwhelming defeat of their bond proposal. At our hour-long meeting, I informed them that more than 130 residents had contacted me prior to the election with concerns regarding the original hospital proposal. That number has increased even more since the election.

Residents are still very concerned with the project costs and the financial burden they are being asked to fund. The hospital’s silence since the election is concerning. Residents are wondering if the hospital is simply going to run the bond again, which, they feel, would be a mistake. The public wants open and honest facts from the hospital, not more misleading marketing and hype.

In last week’s letter, it seems the hospital is once again leading us down a path for a new hospital. They now admit their retrofit numbers were based on 2021 information and that costs have risen. I wish that information was shared prior to the last election. They reference experts being consulted yet provide no name or actual report. If retrofit numbers have increased, can we assume that new hospital numbers have as well? What’s the new realistic number for a new hospital?

Glad to hear public meetings are forthcoming. I suggest future meetings be moderated by non-hospital personnel to ensure unbiased feedback. Local residents want honest facts, not marketing propaganda. The WHH should truly listen to the people, they have already clearly spoken through their votes. Did the WHH understand the message?

I look forward to improved medical services in our community without severe financial hardship through taxation to our local families.

JERRY BOWMAN

South Bend