You have a voice--vote for change.

By Nancy R. (Pickett) Wood

It's time to inject new life into the board of directors of the health care district and therefore the hospital.

1. I come from a strong background of self-reliance and getting the job done. We can do it locally without hiring a management company to help us.

2. Having been the co-contractor for building my own house, I have a basic understanding of the construction arena. It is critical that each and every cost be justified and supervised by the board of directors and not take the word of someone else.

3. I have the ability to look beyond the obvious and dig for underlying reasons and causes when presented with a problem or situation. I can ask the hard questions and work to find the answers that seem to be elusive. A board member must be totally engaged in the workings of the organization it is directing. I can put my energies into making sure the hospital is at the top of its profession.

4. A new voice can sometimes help old voices look at a situation in a new light. Injecting energy and a critical analysis of the inner workings of the health care district will be my contribution.