Editor,
This is an open letter to hospital board incumbent Georgia Gardner. The two recent letters by your ardent supporters, fellow board member Grethe Cammermeyer and Trish Rose, go far beyond any semblance of fair campaign tactics — or good taste. Though the damage can’t be undone, I call upon you to publicly disassociate yourself from these two hate-mongers, and to condemn their endless name-calling and character assassination efforts.
For my part, I will keep my promise to run a clean campaign, conveying my ideas for making the hospital better and respectfully noting differences in our positions. While I will not attack, I will “defend” myself and my good name and reputation.
One false claim is so terrible that I must immediately respond. Ms. Rose, our hospital’s chief spokesperson until a few weeks ago, correctly related in online comments to her own letter that my boss of eight years at a Freeland law firm had stolen millions of dollars from clients.
Her conclusion, without any evidence: “How could Mr. Born not know what was happening to these people?”
Ms. Rose, people who commit such acts don’t generally tell their staff about it. The FBI thoroughly investigated the matter — do you know something about me they don’t know?
Ms. Gardner, I am a recent retiree, 68 years old, and I was applauded by the local newspaper for coming forward to run for a six-year term at an unsalaried non-partisan job. How many others in my position are likely to seek to perform public service on this island if they might face an onslaught like that of your two vicious friends?
Have you never wondered why we so seldom have contested local elections here on Whidbey?
These letter writers have both stated their goal is to get you re-elected. The three of you have been a large part of Whidbey General’s leadership team for years. These letters only bring more shame and loss of reputation upon the institution I seek to help reform.
Please apologize, and promise to desist from such filth for the rest of the campaign.
Rob Born
Greenbank
