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Osprey Medical Clinic owner's silence under pressure a test of professional integrity

The high road is never the easy road and some are not taking it, says Gadicke & Carr partner Erin Carr...

To the Editor:

I have never been more proud and disappointed in my community than I have been in the past month. Four generations of my family have called Creston home, I was born and raised here, with the exception of the time while I was away at university, and I too am raising my family here. I love this valley and community, I own a business in this valley that employs 10 people, and I volunteer with non-profit organizations, yet with one controversial matter some members of my beloved community were quick to condemn me, my business (which is not involved in the Osprey Medical Clinic) and my choice in a business partner.

I will not comment on matters between my business partner and the other party in the dispute because I have no involvement, responsibility or ownership in the matter; however, I will say that truth amidst a dispute always lies in the middle, and all parties involved have ownership in the escalation of the dispute.

I was appalled at the behaviour that occurred on a certain Creston Facebook group. I understand that peoples' relationships with their doctors are intimate, important and emotional, as I worked at a medical clinic for numerous years before becoming an accountant, and I too have had serious medical issues. However, that does not excuse the behavior that I have read or witnessed on this site.

Both of our professions are built on the utmost of confidences. We as accountants would never think of discussing financial matters, business deals and/or disputes, or any other matter of our clients, as that violates a code of conduct and ethics. The biggest complaint by the community is that they have not heard the owners' side or been provided details by the owners. I view this as the greatest test of my business partner's integrity as a man and a professional to remain silent while being lambasted through media reports and other public outlets. The high road is never the easy road and some are not taking it.

A protest rally occurred on Feb. 28 outside my office as a way of blocking my clients from entering my business, as an attempt to run us out of business and out of town (as indicated on the above-mentioned Facebook page) and as a public spectacle for aspiring politicians. Once again, my firm is not and never has been an owner of the Osprey Medical Clinic. I am unclear as to how "running" another business out of Creston, thus causing unemployment of numerous people, would benefit our community or provide support for your chosen side of the dispute. You do not see me, my family or our supporters (yes, we too have supporters) staging a protest in front of other local businesses that are unrelated to the dispute but happen to be owned by common/related persons, as protest of the way we have been treated. So why is it OK for this rally to have occurred?

Physicians have every right and opportunity to open their own practice, manage their own staff and pay their own bills, just like the numerous other physicians and businesses in our beautiful community. No one can or is stopping the physicians from doing so.

With all this being said, many in the community have voiced and shown their support for me, my business and my business partner during this ordeal and I would like to publicly thank them for understanding that there are two sides, trusting the people they know us to be and for remaining truly community minded. You are appreciated and held in my highest regard.

Erin Carr

Creston