After reading two letters last week, I felt I had to write to make sure that the people of Arlington are heard. Dr. Cartwright has been in this town since 2003. Yes, he used to work for Cascade Valley, but due to infection problems he chose to leave. Now he is at a hospital where he is supported and was recently elected by the other doctors and nurses as the Chief of the Department of Surgery. That should speak volumes. In light of that, he maintains a very busy medical office in our town, has kids in our school system and is very active in the community. Dr. Cartwright belongs to the Rotary Club of Arlington, the Arlington Masonic Lodge and is in his sixth year volunteering as the Arlington High School team doctor every year.

None of these are paid positions — he does it because he loves the community. How many other doctors and nurses do you see involved in our community on a daily basis?

There are so many people in this town who won’t go to CVH. Wonder why? I also wonder why all the doctors and nurses who work at CVH don’t want Dr. Cartwright on the board. What are they hiding? It is perfect timing that Dr. Cartwright run for this position because if he were a practicing physician at CVH he wouldn’t be allowed to run for the board. Why not have a doctor with experience on the board?

A rumor swirling around this town is that Dr. Cartwright is going to fire all the CVH staff. That is ridiculous. May I remind you that he will be one of fivevoting board members. Additionally, it has been said that he will have Skagit Valley Hospital take over. Again, this is ridiculous. SVH is already in our backyard. A local family practitioner brought Skagit Valley Medical Center into our community by having them buyout his business, which sits next door to CVH.

I am a native Arlingtonian and my family was one of the first settlers in this town. We hold a pioneer certificate to the city. I have many horror stories of my own and of family and friends from CVH. Too many to go into in this letter. All I know is that Dr. Cartwright is a great doctor and would be a great asset to our community hospital.

Dr. Cartwright will bring change to CVH. It is desperately needed. Change can be scary, but it must happen to lift up our community. Dr. Cartwright is the change we need and has the medical expertise to provide insight into decision affecting our hospital’s future. Please vote for Dr. Cartwright for Hospital Commissioner Nov. 3.

Deana Chamness

Arlington