The war of words between supporters and opponents of the Proposition 480 referendum on rezoning for Phase I of Flagstaff Medical Center’s planned new campus continues to heat up as the election draws closer.
Last week, Northern Arizona Healthcare and the Yes on 480 campaign each issued press announcements claiming leaders of the No on 480 campaign were lying and spreading misinformation about the new hospital and related developments.
No on 480 had previously run an ad alleging the master plan would increase healthcare costs by 30% or more. That ad prompted Yes on 480’s announcement, which called the statement “a blatant lie.” It also said two No leaders—Dr. Douglas Mapel and Mike Martinell—knew the statement was false and alleged the two had “personal vendettas against Flagstaff Medical Center.”
The release asked for an apology and retraction from Mapel and Martinell.
Martinell did not respond directly to the allegations. He sent a statement No on 480 made in response, which asked voters to reject what it called “personal attacks” and which also did not directly address either releases’ claims about Mapel and Martinell.
In NAH’s announcement, the organization alleged Martinell was being dishonest about his prior support for the hospital project. Martinell had previously served on the NAH board and had voted in favor of the new hospital or portions of the plan in 15 different votes.
Martinell and another former NAH official have claimed NAH is lying when it says the new hospital cannot be built at its current site. However, Martinell had voted with the board when it found the idea of building the new hospital on the current facility’s site to be unfeasible. Martinell later resigned from the board after disagreements over issues unrelated to the hospital.
The NAH release said, “At no time during his voluntary service on the board of directors did he vote against the project or any portion of the project, nor did he state any opposition to the plans.”
In No on 480’s response, the group did not address those claims, but stated it is local to Flagstaff and accused NAH’s efforts of being augmented by a “out-of-town, independent expenditure campaign.” (Source)