Editor,

I am one of the candidates for Public Hospital Commissioner-Position #5 in the upcoming primary election. I was recently on a trip to a remote area of Bolivia, lacking internet access for several weeks. Unfortunately during that time, a request from Whidbey News-Times regarding candidate questions/answers was solicited and article subsequently published. I wanted to assure voters that my non-response does not indicate indifference toward the position. I remain engaged and eager to lend my expertise to WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and the community.

Kirk Gasper, MD

Oak Harbor

Editor’s Note: Another candidate for the position, Morgan Cooper, was also on vacation during this time and unable to meet the deadline to answer questions for the article.