Journal editorial

The past is past; issues lie ahead

With settlements signed by Inter-Island Medical Center and Drs. Burk Gossom and Quinn Pauly, we look forward to both sides doing as their agreements state — work professionally and collegially to provide the best medical care to San Juan islanders.

The issues that divided the medical center and its former physicians are in the past. The election that pitted pro-doctors and pro-administration against each other is history. What lies ahead are issues such as providing timely, affordable care to a growing community; staying profitable amid dwindling reimbursements from federal, state and private insurance providers; using technology that can make on-island diagnoses more timely and accurate and make travel to the mainland less necessary.

It will take cooperation to make it quality medical care a success. Cooperation is required not only from the medical center and the physicians — it’s required from supporters of both sides that were polarized during the political battles of the last three years.

Today, there is no line drawn in the sand, no rooting section reserved solely for doctors or medical center. Today, there is only one community united to ensure our medical care stays affordable, accurate, timely and technologically sound. To this, and not politics, we must devote our passions and energies.

The future of medical care on this island demands nothing less of us.

Consider hiring county manager

Respondents to a recent online poll are divided on whether the County of San Juan should hire a county administrator to manage daily operations of government.

One-hundred people responded to the poll, sponsored by sanjuanjournal.com, islandssounder.com and islandsweekly.net. Of that number, 49 voted “yes,” 51 voted “no.”

County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen has long been an advocate of hiring an administrator to oversee daily operations of government, freeing commissioners to concentrate on legislation. Hiring a county administrator has been endorsed by The Journal of the San Juan Islands and The Islands’ Sounder.

During the 2000 election, Commissioner John Evans said he’d be willing to explore the idea. The commission was scheduled to discuss the issue Tuesday. Changes that would make government more efficient would be welcome changes indeed.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.