Editor,

Last week I attended the League of Women Voters-sponsored candidates’ forum in Langley to assess the candidates running for Whidbey General Hospital Commissioner for District No. 2, Georgia Gardner and Rob Born, and District No. 4, Nancy Fey and Erika Carnahan.

All I knew about Mr. Born was based on his many vitriolic and vituperative letters to the editor where he constantly aired complaints about Whidbey General and its mismanagement and lack of transparency among other alleged shortcomings.

I found it fascinating how the other three candidates were all quite positive in their views of and visions for Whidbey General, and each spoke to the changes that needed to be made by the administration and commission.

With two or three exceptions, I felt they were all “on-the-same-page” regarding the future of Whidbey General.

In distinct contrast, Mr. Born presented a picture of Whidbey General’s financial situation and governance that was quite negative and “bleak.”

He also displayed a lack of knowledge about the laws governing the disclosure of confidential information for hospital patients and personnel as well as the proper and legal “protocol” to be followed by commissioners.

Based on his past letters to the editor coupled with his negative campaign rhetoric, Mr. Born reminds me of Kelly Emerson.

She ran on a very similar platform for Island County commissioner in 2010 and unfortunately was elected. She was not a team-player, wreaked havoc on the board, and resigned seven months before her term of office was over.

With a new WGH CEO and CFO, ground being broken for the new addition to our hospital, we need a team of commissioners who do work together — as a team — in a positive manner.

I dare say we cannot afford to “throw our fate to the wind” with a naysayer.

Wayne R. Flaaten

Greenbank