Traffic safety

Vashon’s no place for speeding

On March 5, a car was heading north on Westside Highway approaching S.W. 148th. Traveling well over the speed limit of 35 miles per hour, the driver could not or would not slow down enough to remain in the road lane. My father had already turned onto the roadway and had traveled well over 100 feet. He was traveling from my driveway to my neighbors across the street. The car began to pass my father in a no-pass zone that was also after a posted intersection sign. As my father turned left the speeder had no choice but to pass in the left hand shoulder at an incredibly high speed.

My dad is pleased to be alive, and we are thankful no pedestrians were hit. I am not so sure I am happy about high-speed drivers on the Island. I have since contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office for additional enforcement on this stretch of highway.

The Island is no place for reckless drivers who have no regard for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. Slow down or leave the Island.

— Jan Stephens

Patient-provider liaisons are wrong

I am relatively new to the Island. However, as a member of the mental health field, I am very concerned about a willingness to support the sexual misconduct of a physician because the relationship may have been consensual. (“He deserves our support,” letter to the editor, March 17.)

I don’t know the specifics of Dr. Sjardo Steneker’s case and believe it should not be tried in the newspaper or a “café,” but Washington law clearly states (and I quote): “A health care provider shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in the activities listed in subsection (1) of this section with a former patient, client or key party within…”

It is of no import whether the provider and patient have the best or the worst relationship ever; rather, it is about protecting people from abuse stemming from relationships in which there is an intrinsic imbalance of power. No matter the intentions of either party, the existence of a provider-client relationship creates an imbalance of power that makes it virtually impossible to determine if a sexual relationship is the result of mutual consent or coercion.

For those of us in the health care field, the laws and ethics governing provider conduct do not come as a surprise. In fact, we are reminded of them annually when we renew our licenses and participate in Continuing Education classes that specifically address ethics. In every ethics class I have taken, and there have been many, providers are encouraged to conduct themselves in a manner that goes above and beyond the written law.

Health care professionals need to pay close attention to the very clear laws and ethics of our respective fields and bear the responsibility of not going down that “slippery slope.” It does not matter if a sexual relationship with a current or former patient is consensual.

— Jill Dziko

‘A Chorus Line’

VHS made a good production decision

I applaud Lauri Hennessey’s strong support of Vashon High School’s production of “A Chorus Line” (“A favorite musical at VHS needn’t ruffle feathers,” Feb. 24). Though our son does not participate in his high school’s drama program, we feel so lucky he is exposed to provocative, relevant, compelling, entertaining art. We are going to see Cinderella at a local middle school this weekend, but we are thrilled VHS is presenting “A Chorus Line.” It is not up to the high school to present all G-rated shows. It is up to the high school to keep their students engaged.

— Eddie Westerman