Editor,

In response to the “questions for the incumbent” posed by Monica Shull: I am happy to report that Whidbey General Hospital does not have large ongoing debt. According to our latest financial statements, dated Aug. 31, 2015, the total long-term debt is only $310,362 — an amount less than the household debt of many families.

For an institution the size of the Whidbey General system of hospital and clinics, this low debt is truly remarkable and it is one reason we have such financial stability. And Whidbey Public Hospital District has the second- or third-lowest maintenance and operations levy in the state.

Because of our enviable financial position, we were able to completely fund the expenditures for the new medical record system without debt and without asking the taxpayers for more money as was done by other hospitals. As a certified public accountant, debt, financial reserves and expenditures are things I watch very closely, and institute plans and safeguards to protect our financial position. We are doing an excellent job of maximizing services and financial stability for the community.

Businesses and organizations, both for profit and nonprofit, all carry insurance policies to indemnify their top employees and boards against lawsuits. All have (or should have) policies and procedures that describe the instances where it would come into play. The Whidbey General Hospital policies and procedures reimburse our employees and board members for the costs of litigation — even criminal prosecution so long as the employee is found not guilty. We pay the legal costs and our insurance company pays us back.

In the recent case, our employee was found not guilty and we paid her legal costs. (The hospital had other legal costs for issues regarding the subpoena of confidential records we ultimately won.) The board did not vote to do so; we simply followed our policies and procedures. The hospital will be reimbursed either by the award of legal fees through the court or by our insurance company.

I would like your vote so that I can continue to offer my experience and professional expertise to the community.

GEORGIA GARDNER

Hospital commissioner, District 2