Last week's Point of View article by Dr. Randy Wiest, which indicates Dr. Paul Eneboe was wrong concerning his previous article about hospital expansion, should not be considered the opinion of Homer hospital's medical staff. He does not speak for us either collectively or as individuals.

His explanation on remodeling versus building for beds is wrong regarding costs, confusion and inconvenience. Both ways are about equal except the building costs are extremely more expensive than remodeling. Dr. Eneboe was correct on this and most everything else Dr. Eneboe wrote about.

The additional bonding increases your tax and results in fewer beds. The projection Dr. Wiest refers to that shows a positive cash flow is made by the same bunch that projeced $20 million and no tax increase, and it is now $32 million and going up with an immediate tax increase with more probably to follow.

We have more than enough room for outpatient procedures and expanded services can continue to happen, both at the hospital or private. This expansion will inhibit private medical care expansion, which costs the taxpayers nothing in taxes and private expasion pays taxes.

Dr. Wiest indicates our operating facilities are not used efficiently and expanding the operating room Facilities will make it more efficient. That does not make sense because the operating room facilities are now used less than 50 percent of their capability.

Also, our property tax is not low compared to other communities on Alaska's major road system. The statement that both the borough assembly and the city council are considering reductions in the tax rate means nothing unless the rate is really decreased and if it is be assured your property valuation for taxes will increase and your taxes will still go up. Dr. Wiest says the total expansion will end up costing $32 million. Both Dr. Eneboe and myself and others believe the true cost will exceed $40 million.

Please re-read Dr. Eneboe's article of two weeks ago. He was correct and his recommendations to stop any additional bonding and tax increase is appropriate.

Our hospital needs a different financial and administrative approach to future planning, and it should include less taxes and more private medical expansion.

Dr. Paul Sayer began doing surgical clinics in Homer in 1972. He moved here in 1979.