Cast a healthy vote

A key problem with politicizing nonpartisan races is this: Qualifications take a back seat to affiliations.

Please, with a critically important nonpartisan local election on the horizon, don't fall into the D vs. R trap.

In addition to school board elections on May 21, voters' eyes will be someplace they rarely ever go. Four candidates are running for two seats on the Kootenai Hospital District board. Can you name the seven people now serving on the panel that oversees more than 2,230 employees and a budget of more than half a billion dollars? Can you name even one?

Retired Avista Utilities executive Paul Anderson, Wells Fargo Bank regional president Liese Razzeto, Dr. Ernest Fokes, Dr. Terence Neff, attorney Marc Wallace, Dr. Jim Curtis and retired forest industry executive James Eisses are serving not just the hospital, but you, the taxpayer, as trustees on the board.

Razzeto is seeking re-election. Joining her in the competition for two seats are Washington Trust banker Jim Pierce, former small business owner Donna Montgomery, and Dr. Neil Nemec, a primary care family doctor.

Because of Kootenai Health's prominent role not just as the county's largest employer but as its primary provider of health care for the region, its leadership selection should always be a matter of voter interest. That leadership will be more important still with implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

When you review this newspaper's election information, which will be published in the main news section of the May 7 Press, we encourage you to pay particular attention to the profiles of candidates for the Kootenai Hospital District board. Which two candidates will best be able to oversee management of a massive budget for what amounts to a large corporation? Which two will best be able to understand the complexities of Obamacare and ensure that our biggest regional hospital is poised to deliver the very best medical care to patients? Which two are most qualified to accurately assess the effectiveness of Kootenai Health's management team?

The Press recently published a story debunking the long-held belief that Kootenai Health can go back at any time and hit up citizens for some $13 million in previously uncollected property taxes. The hospital, which is owned by the community, simply does not have that authority - and the trustees' track record shows that they wouldn't collect the additional taxes anyway. That means tax collection is not a relevant campaign issue for the hospital district; it should play no part in your decision about who's most qualified to serve on the board.

We urge you to vote in this important election. We ask you to arm yourself with accurate information beforehand.