Dear citizens, I implore you to make an informed vote in this next election. Please consider a vote for Dr. Robert McFarland for the Kootenai Health Board of Directors.

A vote for Dr. McFarland, in my opinion, is a vote for the well-being of our hospital and our community. Recent political gymnastics have attempted to sway local voters into overly partisan and polarized boards to the detriment of our community. The boards of directors of community colleges, hospitals, libraries, health agencies, schools and other civic entities are supposed to be balanced with views that reflect the diverse views of our people.

It is a respectful discourse at the level of this local government which promotes healthy decision-making and protects the resources of our local community. Given the growth and the challenges we face, we need this balance more than ever.

Dr. McFarland brings a valuable perspective from his years of dedicated medical service to our community. He understands the needs of the hospital and the community from the trenches, not the ivory towers. His clinical knowledge and administrative experience as well as his exceptional record in community service will make him a powerful and thoughtful decision-maker and a definite asset to this board.

If you need more conviction, talk to your friends / neighbors / anyone who has been a patient of Dr McFarland or has had the chance to interact with him in our community. His reputation precedes him.

ALISON GRANIER

Coeur d’Alene