Proposed facility a ‘good faith effort’

Matthew Nash wrote an excellent piece on the division in Sequim around the healing campus medical facility planned for Sequim (“Businesses take sides on MAT clinic discussion,” Sequim Gazette, Sept. 18, page A-1)

The story of George Peterson, the 38-year-old owner of Peninsula Nursery, is an authentic story of a boy who grew up in Sequim, profoundly affected by drug abuse 25 years ago. The child of an addicted mother who committed suicide, he already had drug abuse issues at the age of 13. With the intervention of caring adults and admission to a drug rehabilitation facility,

Patterson grew into a compassionate man who managed to acquire and improve upon a business in Sequim. I find it remarkably selfish that anyone would organize a boycott intended to harm him.

On the other side of the divide is Karen Willcutt, a 57-year-old real estate agent who moved here two years ago. She spent 22 years of her life addicted to drugs and still fears their power, seemingly on the run in search of a safe haven “Mayberry” that does not exist. She is afraid of declining property values and harm to Sequim’s senior citizens if the clinic opens here.

It is not retirees, but the children living in chaos and neglect with addicted adults who need our protection. There are never guarantees of success in healthcare, but the proposed healing campus facility is a good faith effort to meet people where they are and provide the care they need.

Marcia Limoges

Sequim