I moved to the Valley from Seattle in 1988. However, I have been here long enough to have a sense of deja vu over a tax levy for a “new” hospital. Does anyone remember this same scenario in the early ’90s? As with the new proposal, hospital boosters then made promises of first-class emergency health care right at our doorstep.

The levy was approved, our taxes jumped and within three years the new hospital closed. It was unable to support itself. The person who did the most to promote the levy was hired by the hospital and left town well paid. Valley taxpayers were still taxed for the hospital years after it closed.

Here are some things to consider. If the new hospital is built, it will be competing with two of the region’s best hospitals, Overlake and Evergreen. Both hospitals have greatly expanded in recent years. A new hospital to be built in Issaquah will be more competition. The new Valley hospital won’t be able to match the services of the others. A newer hospital is not cost effective. The current hospital is fine where it is.

Snoqualmie Valley Hospital remains a good place for non-life threatening emergencies. For life threatening emergencies, people will still go to Overlake and Evergreen. Our property taxes are already onerous and the schools will need additional funding. The county will find more ways to increase taxes despite Tim Eyman. How much can you afford?

I’m retired and already pay over $4,000 annually for our smaller-than-average home. Am I expected to pay for a hospital I can’t use because I can no longer afford to live here?

C’mom folks. Let’s not make the same mistake twice. I urge everyone to vote “No” on the hospital levy Aug. 21.

Dan Olah

North Bend