Best of North Kitsap

Dr. Carlton shares the honor with staff

We are honored to be nominated and voted the Best Doctor practice in the premier issue of “The Best of North Kitsap 2008.” As our patients know, we are a team that includes practitioners, Bruce Carlton, M.D, Anne Ledell-Hong, ARNP, and Sharman Kathleen Hurlow, M.D.; our office staff includes manager Laurie Kehler, along with Nurse Norma McCain, medical assistants Mary Vaughn and Ian Perea and Kat Bruhn, our receptionist. As a team, we will continue our best efforts to maintain your trust and confidence. From all of us, thank you.

Bruce Carlton, M.D., and Associates

Decision 2008

Reader endorses Connie Lord

When choosing candidates for positions of power over our tax dollars, it is crucial that we all scrutinize their records. Each candidate will fall on a range between two extremes. One extreme is committed to smaller government, transparency and accountability, fewer laws and less interference (regulation) for small business and private lives. The opposite extreme consistently votes to increase bureaucracy, regulations and taxes, with never ending incremental intrusions into private lives. I ask you to determine where Phil Rockefeller falls.

I encourage everyone to research Mr. Rockefeller’s record, but here are just a couple of examples that define where he falls within the above mentioned range. It is my conclusion that Phil Rockefeller has little regard for the will of the people he supposedly represents. It appears his primary focus is to increase taxes, the number of government jobs, and pass intrusive laws that will restrict your freedom.

The following are some examples of bills he voted for:

• E2SSB 5278 – Use of tax dollars to pay for local campaigns. This is in direct opposition to Citizen’s Initiative 134 (passed by 60 percent of voters) prohibiting use of tax dollars to finance campaigns.

• HB 2815 SB6515- This bill, in the name of global warming, will limit the miles we can drive! (a reduction of 18 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2050!) The Evergreen Foundation research describes 25,000 ‘green jobs’ by 2020 that will cost $2 billion every year, forever.

• Perhaps the shoddiest example of ‘double speak’ is his vote for SB6178, titled Property Tax Deferral. This defers 50 percent of your property taxes. Sounds great until you read the fine print. Under this provision, the government places a lien on your property at an annual rate of 7 percent interest. When you go to sell, the big hand of government will reach in and confiscate not only excise tax, but a huge chunk of your equity.

It’s time for someone to represent Kitsap County’s interests. We need someone who will fight to keep taxes down, as well as reduce the cost of ferries and the increasing intrusions into our lives. Vote for Connie Lord. She is as honest as the day is long and she’s not afraid to fight on your behalf.

Roberta Bidinger

Poulsbo

Harrison Medical Center

Yes, it will serve the good of the people

This is in response to Mr. Eastman’s letter re: Harrison Hospital building a facility in Poulsbo.

As a radiation oncology cancer survivor and an American Cancer Society volunteer driver for Road to Recovery, I know the problems for Poulsbo, Kingston, Hansville, Suquamish, Port Ludlow and Bainbridge Island patients getting to East Bremerton for radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation alone is five days a week for at least one month to six weeks. I had one patient from Hansville taking (Kitap Transit’s) Access after her radiation, it took three hours for her to get home after her treatment. Going with Road to Recovery volunteers it was still an hour each way, picking her up and getting her home. For some of the volunteers it was a four-hour round trip.

After radiation or chemotherapy, all a patient wants to do is to get home and into bed. What a godsend it would be to have a facility for the North Kitsap patients and their families in Poulsbo. The city council should consider their Poulsbo citizens. I don’t recommend giving the property away, but being reasonable. If Mr. Eastman doesn’t think we should sell the property to the hospital, perhaps he would be willing to become a volunteer for Road to Recovery.

Ronine Riggins

Poulsbo

Iraq war

It’s territorial expansion

The more likely explanation for the United States’ invasion of Iraq is the neo-conservative Bush Regime’s commitment to the defense of Israeli territorial expansion.

There is no such thing as a neo-conservative who is not allied with Israel. Israel hopes to steal all of the West Bank and southern Lebanon for its territorial expansion. An American colonial regime in Iraq not only buttresses Israel from attack, but also can pressure Syria and Iran from giving support to the Palestinians and Lebanese. The Iraqi war is a war for Israeli territorial expansion. Americans are dying and bleeding to death financially for Israel. Bush’s “war on terror” is a hoax that serves to cover U.S. intervention in the Middle East on behalf of “greater Israel.” Why don’t we let them let their men and women fight their own battles? God forgive us for not adhering to your word.

Bill Collins

Bremerton