As the election dust settles and newly elected boards get ready to take the dais, I find myself reflecting on the bitter maelstrom involving the Tahoe Forest Hospital District these past six months. An incredibly divisive topic for the community — questions on cost of care, potential conflict of interest violations, and administrative transparency swirl about — has been further muddled by a concurrent noisy and confounding national healthcare debate.
Here’s a story to consider: Once upon a time, a school board voted 3-2 to reconfigure its schools — riling a contingent of parents and teachers. As a result, a movement took root asking for the recall of the board members who voted for the reconfiguration. The dialogue turned ugly, causing such a rift in the community that it’s likely the reason that not one candidate filed for the three open seats on the board by the filing deadline for that election cycle. Not even the incumbents. No one wanted to step into that mess.
You may remember this string of events happening about five years ago at the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. Also, at the time of the school board decision, the district was strapped for cash and uncertainties at the state level left administrators with a potential $9 million deficit. There were no easy solutions.
It’s understandable how passionate debates about what happens to our health and children grow into tense debates — these are weighty matters and big issues for society. What’s stunning and concerning is how vitriolic and dishonest I’ve seen disagreements become.
Moonshine Ink wrote the pieces that touched off the hospital conversation, and our decision to publish the reports was based on asking questions that, in my mind, needed to be asked. The resulting public discourse that exploded on the local scene has been largely centered on facts but, unfortunately, there have been numerous rumors and personal attacks as well. I’ve heard outlandish tales about Moonshine Ink and other key players in the debate that are not based in any kind of fact.
This is unacceptable. We need to channel the anger and frustration more productively. Remember, we live in a community together. The healthcare debate rages at a national level, so it’s not surprising that Tahoe/Truckee is grappling with the same issues. What’s important is to keep the pressure on for factual information that answers the critical questions. Listen more than talk, question sources (yes, even Moonshine Ink), be respectful, and be nice.
Today, the school district has bounced back, with considerable support for the current administration. It was a hard road with diligence on the part of the board and staff, but the community rallied.
Seven candidates were willing to step into the hospital forum. That’s at least one step ahead of the school board situation. Now we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other toward a joint vision for the hospital’s future.
