WILKEY: Closing the back door

I sense there are several obvious and major shortcomings that exist with the Democratic candidate running for Kootenai County Coroner. Instead, I'll focus with respect and appreciation, regarding the recent advice offered by Dr. Robert West to our community, and rely upon its importance come Nov. 2.

We live in a litigious society. The work of the Coroner's Office like the rest of county government is not immune. With society's best interest in mind, a Coroner should possess credentials, continuing education, and an employment resume as cornerstones for rendering accurate and credible death determinations. Additionally, the duties of fiscal responsibility, matters of organ procurement, release of information, death investigation, mass casualty incident oversight, autopsy referrals, public education, processing of human remains, and survivor consultations also require this expertise. Only then, can the decisions and advice from a "qualified" Coroner be properly executed, ensuring a level of proficiency and competency. It is a position that requires more than clerical and tenure history.

I speak from a 35 year perspective of responding to countless unattended death scenes of varying cause and manner. Many of those experiences were enhanced by the Medical Direction and Coroner Reviews provided by Dr. West, including the services of the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office. Prior to casting your ballot (and the inevitable), please do yourself and loved ones a service, visit Wilkey4Coroner.com.

FORREST MUTHERSBAUGH

Firefighter/paramedic

Hayden