2 vie for McKay Memorial seat

SOAP LAKE - One candidate is conducting a write-in campaign, and one is listed on the ballot, for a seat on the board overseeing McKay Memorial extended care and rehabilitation facility in the general election Nov. 5.

Jean Dillenburg, 60, is listed on the ballot, while Judy Spencer, 65, is running the write-in campaign. The two women are running for a four-year unexpired term. Grant County Hospital District No. 4, which administers McKay, includes the town of Soap Lake, and runs east to Wilson Creek and north to the county line at Coulee City.

Spencer said she decided to run in September, after learning that Otto Jensen, who previously held the seat, retired from the board.

Dillenburg's husband, Steve Wellein, currently is on the board, and Spencer said part of her reason for running was to make sure there were different views among the commissioners. Dillenburg said she was confident she would bring her own view to the board. "I have my own mind," she said.

She said she decided to run when she learned Jensen was retiring and wanted someone on the board who was familiar with the facility.

Both women live in Soap Lake and both are former employees at McKay. Both are supporters of the facility. "McKay really is an asset to the whole hospital district," Spencer said. "I love McKay."

McKay officials are offering a $500,000, one-time levy proposal to upgrade the heating system, parts of which date back to the hospital's construction in 1932. The levy also will be on the November ballot. Both candidates said they supported the proposal. "We've got to get that levy passed," Dillenburg said.

Upgrading the heating system would allow facility operators to add services as the community grows, Dillenburg said. Both Spencer and Dillenburg said that because they haven't been part of the board's discussions on the levy, they don't have suggestions what to do if the levy fails. It would be necessary to determine board members' thinking on the subject, Dillenburg said, "then from there, work on it."

Spencer said she's encouraged by the fact the district has paid down its debt to Grant County, and wants to continue that trend. "It's all about budgeting and living within your means."

Dillenburg said McKay has a lot of support from the community and she would encourage more of it, especially volunteers spending time with residents.

Both candidates said they would encourage transparency in board decisions and better communication with employees. Dillenburg said she would encourage communication between the board and employees. "If you have an idea, we'll listen," she said.

Spencer said if she was elected she would encourage efforts to promote McKay and its services. Its services are highly rated, and it has a "top-notch rehab department," she said. "They'll get you better and get you out."

Ballots are due Nov. 5, and can be dropped off at locations around the county or the Grant County Auditor's Office.