To the editor:

This letter is in response to Mr. McKinney’s letter encouraging Whidbey Island neighbors to vote for another Whidbey General Hospital bond.

According to my current property tax bill, I already give WGH $111.95 per year, not to mention an additional $249.40 for the EMS through WGH. That is a total of $361.35.

You are asking me to pay another $50 or $60 per year.

The new total would be about $416.35.

I pay a total of $1,253.23 in voted levies per year that I did not vote for.

No, no and no!

I simply cannot afford it. I am a widowed mother. I work, and I pay for everything to maintain my son, my home, my car, my benefit premiums, insurance, food, taxes, etc. — the list goes on and on. I cannot afford one more thing in taxes, bonds or liens.

I have used WGH, and I am satisfied with their service, and I always pay my bill. I am lucky to have insurance, but I cannot afford to help the hospital, libraries, schools, roads and parks any more than I do already. This has to stop.

I am begging every neighbor to PLEASE vote no on the additional bond for WGH. Give me a fighting chance to survive on this beautiful island and in this bad economy.

Therese Varney

Clinton