Letters | Sept. 4 edition

Published 10:40 am Friday, September 5, 2025

Question for candidate

Islanders may remember that Vashon naturopath Kelly Wright was a leading opponent of the Vashon Health Care District’s creation when it was on the ballot back in 2019. She co-authored the opposition statement in the voter’s pamphlet.

Now she’s running for a seat on that district’s board of commissioners against an appointed incumbent. I want to know why.

I’m a former commissioner, and I’m proud of the work the district (officially King County Public Hospital District #5) has done over the past couple years to expand access to health care on Vashon.

Thanks to the district, islanders now have urgent care that comes to our homes (DispatchHealth). We now have more resources to address the youth behavioral health crisis. We now have a geriatric social worker/navigator who helps vulnerable, often isolated, island seniors connect with vital health and social services.

Does Kelly Wright still believe the Vashon Health Care District shouldn’t exist? Or has she changed her mind since 2019? Does she now see the district’s value?

Island voters — who approved formation of the district six years ago by a 71-29 margin — deserve an answer.

Eric Pryne