Local hospitals to decide whether to allow physician-assisted dying
Doctors and pastors debate ballot measure I-1000
RACHEL CAVANAUGH
News Editor
The Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) hospital is among local health care providers that will decide in the coming weeks how to respond to the passing of ballot measure I-1000, which allows doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients.
The practice, formerly called “doctor-assisted suicide,” is part of Washington’s Death with Dignity Act, and is now referred to as “physician-assisted dying,” or PAD. Within the framework of the new law, individual hospitals can create their own policies about the measure.
“Each health care provider entity will make a decision about whether it chooses to participate in this service or not,” said Jeff Teal, KVH Hospital Development Director. “Very much like abortion [or] marijuana prescriptions for people with pain, a provider will never be in a position where they have to prescribe something they feel uncomfortable with.”
Dr. William Bothamley, head of hospice at KVH, said he will meet with his staff this week to begin discussions. On Dec. 1, the team takes part in a statewide conference call on the subject.
At the moment, Bothamley said, it is too soon to know how staff and administrators will react.
“We’re in the process of meeting as a group,” Bothamley said. “We need to sit down and just talk about it and see where we’re headed with this.”
In Klickitat County, voters supported the measure at rates higher than the statewide level, with 59.51 percent in favor and 40.49 percent against it, as of Friday. (Statewide margins were 57.79 to 42.21.)
The vote highlighted splits among local doctors, hospice workers, and clergymen, who voiced opinions on both sides of the issue.
Dr. Michael Garnett, for example, said he is against the measure and has concerns about the impact it might have on families, especially those with mixed thoughts.
Beyond that, he said, there have been instances in other places of insurance companies, HMOs, and family members taking advantage of the practice. It also puts pressure on a patient to take the burden off others.
“The right to die becomes a duty to die,” he said, emphasizing he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of KVH.
However, Sharon Eche, KVH hospice volunteer, disagreed. She said a dying patient should always have the right to choose. She said she has seen terrible pain in her work and allowing patients the decision is the compassionate thing to do.
“Take ALS [Lou Gehrig’s Disease] – the suffering they go through is horrendous,” said Eche.
Vernon Chase, hospice chaplain for KVH, is a lifelong pastor who has been present for over 100 deaths. He said he is torn on the issue. Although his religious views give him reason to pause, he has also seen awful suffering.
“I’m a little on both sides,” said Chase.
His biggest concern, he said, is many patients that are suffering are not necessarily ready to die.
He said he is concerned too, because people often misinterpret the Bible and assume death will offer certain freedoms.
“A lot of people who die think they’ll go right to Heaven but not all of them do,” the chaplain said.
If asked, he said he would counsel patients to seek a natural death.
Pat Beeman, pastor of the Goldendale United Methodist church, said she too has concerns about the measure, but would be willing to be with a patient if they wanted her there.
Her biggest issue is making sure adequate policies are in place to ensure the practice is never taken lightly and patients get plenty of counseling.
In terms of her religious beliefs, she said there is room for different interpretations.
“It depends on how you think God is looking upon you,” Beeman said. “Some people say that taking a life is a sin no matter what…I guess that I think our God is very, very forgiving and understands people in pain.”
Ron Kaufmann, of Cascade Senior Center, said he has been conflicted over the measure.
“I’ve kind of always wrestled with the issue both ways,” Kaufmann said. “From my religious perspective, I think sometimes people are left here on earth not necessarily because of what they’re going to accomplish, but what they’re going to teach others...then from a medical standpoint, there’s a lot of suffering.”
Sharon Eche said in the end, she thinks it shouldn’t be about one’s personal beliefs.
“Morally speaking, there are a lot of people that might not be able to do that and frankly, I might be one of them,” said Eche. “But I don’t think I have the right to impose my will on them.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is live and let live and die and let die.”
The implementation date for the measure is Mar. 4, 2009. The full text can be read at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i1000.pdf.
Three arrested in arson fire at grain elevators
‘Molotov cocktails’ suspected in Goldendale incident
The Goldendale Police Department (GPD) has arrested three men suspected of using petrol bombs to start a fire at the grain elevators.
The incident occurred last Monday, when a fire broke out at the towers.
According to police reports, Officer Mike Smith was patrolling the area around Columbus and Railroad around 9 p.m., when he noticed three-foot flames coming from the elevators.
“The Goldendale Fire Department was immediately dispatched,” said Lt. Reggie Bartkowski.
“Officer Smith began to evacuate the immediate surrounding area because of the potential for an explosion of the grain towers.”
The fire department was able to extinguish the flames and minimal damage was done, Bartkowski said.
The individuals arrested are, Matt Mowatt, 18; Pete Kelley, 19; and Justin Norwood, 21.
All three are Goldendale residents and will be charged with first degree arson and possession of an explosive device. Both are Class A felonies.
According to Bartkowski, a GPD investigation revealed two glass bottles on the ground with flammable liquid inside them.
After they were examined by the Washington State Crime Lab and extensive interviews were conducted with witnesses, the GPD determined the bottle weapons to be the cause of the fires.
The three individuals made statements about the incident.
“All three suspects stated they had involvement in the crime and they all stated they did not know the potential for danger for lighting a grain elevator on fire,” said Bartkowski.
At a residence where at least one of the men lived, the GPD also found a kerosene can, which was linked to the arson.
The type of glass-bottle weapons used in the incident are sometimes referred to as ‘Molotov Cocktails.’
The nickname comes from a Soviet foreign minister in World War II and is used to describe several varieties of improvised bombs.
Other names include petrol bombs, alcohol bombs or Molotov bombs, and they are often used in riots. The weapon is composed of a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid and a rag or other fuse device.
The rag is lit and the item is hurled at a vehicle or structure, where it explodes upon impact.
They are considered by many to be highly dangerous, not only to others, but to the individuals igniting the bomb.
Bartkowski attributed the fact that greater damage was not done to the “quick actions” on the part of his officers and the fire department.
Modified lockdown hits GMS
Rachel Cavanaugh
News Editor
The Goldendale Primary School and the Goldendale Middle School were put on a modified lockdown Friday morning after noises that sounded like gunshots were reported outside.
Activities continued inside the building, but doors were locked and no one was allowed to leave. Students still arriving to school were ushered in quickly.
Additionally, three school buses were diverted to the bus garage for about 20 minutes until more information became available.
According to David Barta, middle school principal, two employees heard loud, popping noises just before 8:3o a.m., coming from the direction of Schuster Ave.
Four officers from the Goldendale Police Department (GPD) were dispatched to the scene where they remained for 30 to 40 minutes.
They talked to tenants in a nearby apartment building and were unable to find evidence of gunfire or determine the source of the noise.
“They had heard a loud, banging sound coming from the other side of the school,” said GPD Officer Leo Lucatero, of the employees. “We were unable to locate anything or verify what it was.”
Activities returned to normal shortly after 9 a.m
Bickleton Council moves ahead
Bickleton’s newly-formed Community Council met Monday.
A key item discussed was how to move forward with updating the town’s Community Action Plan, which was started in 1996.
The idea, according to council secretary, Jennifer Wilson, is to make their goals current and look at “where we see our future.”
“We have had a good, productive turnout from the community,” said Wilson.
“We have a lot to go over and get put into place. We went over where we are in the proper filing of our articles of incorporation and nonprofit status 501(c)(3), and opening of a bank account for the council to receive funds.”
She said the group also put together the upcoming “2009 Project” for the community for an annual economic development meeting, to be held in Goldendale in January.
The next council meeting will be, Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the faculty lounge of the Bickleton High School.
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