Editor,

Ever since Rob Born swept to victory over an incumbent in the hospital board primary election, the attack dogs have been out. Newspaper letters are distorting his positions and misrepresenting his views. Rob has published over 100 well-reasoned articles since April on his current blog, wghblogger.com. Nowhere does he advocate selling off the hospital, giving up local autonomy, having Whidbey General subject to faith-based restrictions, or the like.

Claims are being made that Rob is rude, a bully, unable to get along with people and nasty to current commissioners. Quite the opposite is true. It is the hospital’s past administration that has spent a small fortune trying, and failing, to prevent him from speaking out about serious hospital issues.

Rob is passionate about putting Whidbey General on a sound financial footing, creating a fair and enjoyable work environment, rebuilding its damaged reputation, and constantly striving to improve its quality of care. He is a tireless advocate for hospital reform and he is decisive, as one would expect of a retired trial attorney and former Air Force captain and pilot.

Rob has strong views and he freely expresses them, as leaders do. I’ve come to know Rob, and he is unfailingly polite and respectful. In his entire legal career, he has never crossed the line of being uncivil, discourteous, or inappropriate in his dealings in or outside the courtroom. If you had a legal cause or problem, you’d want Rob on your side.

Rob Born — the actual person — would be a great asset to our struggling hospital.

RICHARD BOWEN

Coupeville