Organization Sign On Letter Demanding SRHD Transparency

This letter is signed by over 100 organizations in Spokane expressing concern over the sudden departure of Dr. Bob Lutz as Public Health Officer for Spokane Regional Health District. They argue that Dr. Lutz provided critical leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic with decisions rooted in science. They demand transparency around his removal and a clear plan for continuing to address public health issues like COVID-19. The letter expresses worries that removing the health official without a replacement plan could endanger the community as cases are rising.

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Organization Sign On Letter Demanding SRHD Transparency

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Erin Robinson

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2 November, 2020

To the Spokane Regional Health District Board of Health and Amelia Clark,
We, the undersigned organizations, are concerned about the sudden departure and subsequent
press conference regarding Dr. Bob Lutz, Spokane Regional Health District Public Health
Officer.

From a community perspective, Dr. Lutz has provided critical leadership during a challenging
public health crisis. While listening and responding to divergent opinions with respect, Dr. Lutz
has addressed the COVID-19 crisis with a level head and consistent leadership decisions
rooted in science and fact-based information. His advocacy for the health and well-being of the
Spokane community extends beyond the current pandemic. He has also addressed systemic
issues that have serious public health implications. Barring any egregious personal conduct, Dr.
Lutz has our full support.

COVID-19 cases are rising locally and nationally. We are concerned about the precarious timing
of the removal of a Public Health Officer that has been with SRHD since 2017. The community
expects consistency and teamwork from the health department and the public officials
represented on the Spokane Regional Health Department Board. We are demanding
transparency in this decision and a clear path to public health as this pandemic escalates.

The press conference held on October 30th did not provide the public with sufficient information
regarding the future health of our community, but rather painted the Spokane Regional Health
District as intentionally lacking transparency. The public has the right to know how decisions are
made and how your office operates, as the decisions you make directly impact every community
member. The conflicting statements during the press conference, followed by statements made
by Spokane Regional Health Department Board Members, Spokane City Council Member Betsy
Wilkerson and Spokane City Council President Breann Beggs are not reflective of a unified
Health Department Board.

It is our understanding that a public board meeting is required to remove our District Health
Officer. It is concerning that Amelia Clark and Spokane Valley Mayor and board chair Ben Wick
seemed unaware of or were unwilling to answer questions regarding by-laws. Removing a
Health Official with no clear path to replacement is an irresponsible decision that endangers our
community.

We stand together to demand transparency around the sudden termination of Dr. Lutz. We want
a clear, detailed plan of how Spokane Regional Health District will continue to address
COVID-19 and other public health matters.

Sincerely,
4th LD Democrats
500 Drag Queen Strong
A Lice Thing To do
ALL OF US OR NONE EASTERN WA
Alliance for a Healthy Washington
Allie's Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe
Alltec Controls, Inc.
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition - Spokane
Chapter
Aurora Health & Day Spa
Azure Studios Catering & Design
Basic Human Performance Group
Becky Oos, L.Ac.
Blackbird Digital
Blitz Beauty
BMT Metal Fabrication, Inc.
Boots Bakery
Bosnia and Herzegovina Heritage
Association of Spokane (BHHAOS)
Camp Creative
Carl Maxey Center
Common Well (Church)
Compassionate Addiction Treatment
Congregation Emanu-El
Consultant / former CFO City of Spokane
Cynthia L Schwartz. P.S.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Dirk Vastrick Presents
Dolly’s Cafe
DRIVE Services Supported Living
E Squared Environmental
Eaton Arrowsmith School
F & C LLC
Faith Action Network
Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience
of Eastern Washington and North Idaho
Faust Law Firm PLLC
Fit Science LLC
Flashs auto body and paint
Footehills farm
Fuse Washington
Fusion Architecture, PLLC
Gainer Home Health Care
Ganesh Himal Trading
Globe Bar & Kitchen
Gourmet Foragables and More /
Refreshed
Grande Ronde Cellars
Greater Spokane Progress
Green Bee Farm
Green Dreams
Helmcorp Holdings LLC
Heron Pond Farms
Hispanic Business Professional
Association
Hogwash whiskey den
Human Rights Activist Coterie (HRAC)
I DID The Time/ RCFRC
ICONA Jeweler
Impact Strategies Inc.
Indivisible Spokane
Industry Pharmacists Organization of WSU
Inland Northwest Business Alliance
Inland Northwest Compassionate Mind
Center
Inland Northwest Urology
Jackie Treiber Collage
Jaeden Roberts Counseling & Healing Arts
Jewels Helping Hands
JNT Creative LLC
Jose Sarria Foundation
Kabrell Consulting
Katie M Jessop, MA LMHC
Lance W Gurel CPA
Lantern Tap House
Lauritzenfarm LLC
League of Women Voters of the Spokane
Area
Levelup Renovation
LGBTQ+ Seniors of INW
Lill Construction
Lisa J Woodard, PharmD, MPH, LLC
Little Free Library 103227
LMH Consulting
McMullen Photography
Measure Meant
MedZed and Community Health Plan of
Washington
Muslims for Community Action & Support
NAACP Spokane #1137
NATIVE Project
New Developed Nations
Next door coffee lounge
Nick Grow Music
Northern Electron Works
Northwest Artistry
Nurse Practitioner Group of Spokane
Ohr Sofer Studio
Paula Lantsberger, MD
Peace And Justice Action League of
Spokane
Pearson Weary Pain Relief Clinic
Peer Navigator Training Program
Planned Parenthood Of Greater
Washington Of North Idaho
Raiz of Planned Parenthood of Greater
Washington and North Idaho
Redfox Consulting
Robert J Golden MD
SAN - Spokane AIDS Network
Schott Law
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
Seiko Miki, M.D.
Shalom Church
SLIHC - Spokane Low Income Housing
Consortium
Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, A
Charitable Foundation
Snowy Ridge Designs
Solar Acres Farm
Spokane County Critical Thinkers
Spectrum
Spokane Area Tenants United/Spokane
Valley Community Advocates
Spokane Chapter of the Health Equity
Circle
Spokane Community Against Racism
Spokane County Young Democrats
Spokane Pride
Spokane Regional Domestic Violence
Coalition
Spokane Rising
Spokane Valley Indivisible CARES
Spokane Veterans For Peace #035
Spokes of a Wheel Inc
Stehr Guitars, LLC
Stephen Wooodard DDS, PS
Strong Solutions
Stronger Together Spokane
Sunvek LLC
Superior Equine Sires, Inc.
Tellectual LLC dba Tellectual Press
Tenants Union of Washington State
The Brick House- Airbnb
The Cat’s Meow Feline Veterinary Clinic
The Lands Council
The Law Office of Kate Telis
The Native American Alliance for Policy &
Action
The Native American Alliance for Policy
and Action (TNAAPA)
The Scoop
Together We Will Spokane
Too Far North Productions
Trajectory Inc
Transitions
Urban Forest Council
Urbanova
Valiant Health solutions LLC
Valley Gastroenterology
Vintage Diva Antiques
WA Tools for Change
Waldon Abel Guide Pins, LLC
Waynes goldsealautomotive
Westminister united church of christ
Whitebluff Prairie Coalition
Wild Angel FX makeup
Wild mountain
Willardson Insurance
WSU ESFCOM Bioethics Interest Group
Www.Hineni.space
Yak Research, 221 E Rockwood Blvd.
#202, Spokane 99202
Yoga with Lorri
You've Been Framed Artful Framing &
Design
Zack Berlat Photography