Submitted by the Catherine Washburn Medical Association and Lopez Island Medical Clinic

The Lopez community is invited to a public meeting this Sunday to learn more about on the Lopez Clinic partner search and the proposed public hospital taxing district. Meeting time is 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the LCCA community center.

The event is hosted by the Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA) board and Lopez Clinic. The goal of the meeting is to release as much information as possible on both topics, to create an opportunity for open dialogue, then solicit community comments, concerns and questions. Dr. Bob Wilson, Christa Campbell and Charlie Janeway, all members of that Clinic/CWMA team working on these issues, will present background information and updates then open the meeting for questions.

“It’s going to be an important meeting and we’re hoping for a large turnout,” said Christa Campbell, CWMA board vice president.

For the partner search, the presenters will update everyone on the steps that have been taken since Sept. 2016 when Island Hospital notified the CWMA and Lopez clinic that they would not renew its contract. The existing relationship with Island Hospital remains in place through June 2017. Challenges facing all rural clinics, information about the current healthcare climate, and specific opportunities and next steps for Lopez Clinic will be covered.

A public hospital district to help support Lopez clinic with local tax dollars will be the second topic. The Board sponsored a petition in the last two weeks of December to gather signatures to put the measure on the April 2018 ballot. Approximately 200 signatures were necessary; 550 signatures were gathered and of those, 505 were certified. The San Juan County Council will meet this month to consider the measure. Public hearings will be held before the council decides if the public taxing district will be on the April ballot.

At Sunday’s community meeting, the clinic/CWMA presenters will discuss the basics of a taxing district, the potential cost to taxpayers, the rationale for putting a district on the ballot now rather than later and the how a tax district could benefit Lopez clinic.

In addition to this public meeting, the clinic/CWMA committee is asking local groups to consider inviting a representative to speak at one of their meetings between now and the April 24 voting date. Presentations will offer more specifics about the proposed hospital district and include an opportunity for questions.

“We need to hear from the community as much as we want them to hear from us,” said Campbell. “If people are interested in helping us get the word out, or would like a presentation at their local meeting, please let Charlie or me know.”

Regular updates and more information on both topics will be posted on Lopez Rocks and the clinic/CWMA website and run in Islands Weekly as it becomes available. If people want more community information meetings, they will be scheduled.