For the 2021 Voters Guide, we emailed candidates a set of questions on professional experience, local priorities and general issues. We have included those questions and the unedited responses. We have noted when candidates left questions unanswered. We have also provided links to candidate websites, campaign funding reports and other local media coverage when available.
Any questions or suggestions should be sent to: whitmancowatch@gmail.com
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would you describe your current occupation or job title(s)?
I farm near Colfax, transitioning to retirement.
What other memberships or community affiliations would you like to share with voters?
I’m serving on my church finance council and have served on parish council. I’m a life member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Navy League. I’m an adopted Cougar and a lifetime member of the WSU Alumni Association.
What, if any, charities, political campaigns, or nonprofits have you donated money or volunteer hours to in the past year?
My wife and I donate to WSU and University of Idaho Foundations, Colfax and Community Fund, several church organizations, Whitman Hospital Foundation, Whitman Hospital Auxiliary, and the Thrifty Grandmothers Club. We have endowed scholarships at Colfax High School, Vallivue High School in Caldwell, Idaho, WSU, and the U of Idaho.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I didn’t grow up on the farm, as my dad was a Colfax businessman. I took over my uncle’s farm and have operated it successfully and enjoyed it.
What is your vision for Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics as an organization and why?
My vision for our hospital is to continue to care for and serve our community for decades, continuing to attract physicians and healthcare workers who believe in our mission.
What are the most important steps the hospital board has taken to support staff and operations during the pandemic?
The hospital has kept people employed as much as possible, even when we could provide few services at the start of the pandemic, and brought laid-off workers back as soon as possible. Board members have personally treated the entire staff to lunch a few times. The hospital has worked hard to provide adequate PPE for the staff. WHMC is giving retention bonuses and has raised the pay scale to support staff during the pandemic.
How is Whitman Hospital unique and how would you try to leverage its strengths?
Whitman Hospital welcomes physicians and other workers and promotes their participation in the community. Several local people have gone to medical school or nursing school and returned to practice medicine or nursing or other roles at our hospital. The next generation of physicians is now in residencies and some are planning to return to Colfax.
What is the worst decision or biggest opportunity the board has missed the past five years?
The board has been very proactive in taking advantage of opportunities.
What do you think will be the most significant challenge or threat that WHMC will face in the next five years?
Whitman Hospital will be very challenged if Medicare or Medicaid payment formulas to our facility are decreased. There’s little wiggle room there.
Are you vaccinated against COVID-19?
Yes, I am.
Do you support COVID-19 vaccine mandates? Why or why not?
I wish that people would take advantage of this way to end the pandemic, but if they aren’t, 700,000 deaths suggest that mandates are a valid option. This pandemic is hard on everyone.
How do you think the pandemic will change how people view health care and public health? Has it changed how you see it?
Some people will pay more attention to their health and the advice coming from public health leaders. Some will not like these leaders telling them what to do. I have listened and followed public health advice to wear a seat belt and not smoke. I also got my Covid shots.
What, if anything, would you change to make the hospital board more transparent or to improve communication with the public?
I would like to see the local newspaper return to longstanding tradition and invite the hospital CEO to write a weekly column.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about WHMC, what would it be and why?
My magic wand wave would achieve the hospital foundation’s goal of $10,000,000 in their endowment, and the hospital would receive about $400,000 yearly to help us keep up with technology.