01/28/2010: "Confusion On SJC Prop #1"

A careful reading of the ballot measure (Voters Guide) for Proposition No. 1 (Public Hospital, SJC Hospital District #1) indicates that the 35 cent initiative is for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) care and transportation. But if not carefully read, some may have mistaken it for a levy initiative for the new hospital or the medical center, which it is not.

This ballot initiative is ONLY for the operation of SAN JUAN ISLAND EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and none of the LEVY is for the operation of the medical center, nor for the proposed hospital project.

San Juan Island EMS is under the San Juan County Hospital District No. 1 which is the junior taxing district that operates both San Juan Island EMS and the Inter Island Medical Center under two SEPARATE levies. Both agencies report to the Hospital District Board but are operationally and fiscally separate.

As a part of the SJC Public Hospital District No. 1, the EMS provides emergency and medical transportation to the people of San Juan Island, the Town of Friday Harbor, and the islands of Brown, Pearl, Henry, Spieden, John, and Stuart.