Kate Hunter is ignoring the fact that the Franciscans rescued our island’s medical clinic. (“Franciscans are off on the wrong foot on Vashon,” Aug 28.)

Ms. Hunter will be hard pressed to find a health cooperative that can take over the responsibilities and liabilities of a clinic the size of the former Vashon Health Center (now the Franciscan Medical Clinic – Vashon.)

Imagine Vashon Island without a clinic and the sick and injured having to go to Seattle or Tacoma. The Franciscans have done a fine job administering health care elsewhere, and they’ll do a fine job here.   For those who presume to be offended by the sensibilities they think the Franciscans will follow with their medical care (and this is really what these cloaked issues are all about), this island could use a good dose of the morality that the Catholic Church brings.

— Dave Burton