The cornerstones of a thriving community include quality education, a vibrant industrial base, dependable public safety, and reliable and trusted health care.

Were fortunate in Northwest Ottawa County to have all of these.

To say anyone is more important than the other would be a tough argument, and we dont intend to do so here. We recognize the fact that all play a vital role in making our community a place that people want to visit and live, and we encourage you to support each of them.

The health care market, however, is different.

Residents of the Tri-Cities area are nestled between two large health systems to the east and to the north, both of which provide excellent care and services to their patients, as does our health system right here in Grand Haven.

People have choices.

A big difference is that the Grand Haven-based North Ottawa Community Health System is operated by professionals who are a part of our community. They are people who are committed to providing affordable, quality medical care close to home. They practice health care in our community because they want to be here, not because they have to be.

How important is it to have health care managed locally? If you consider the 800 jobs, the $34 million in annual salaries and benefits, and that 90 percent of employees live in the area and reinvest millions of dollars back into our community as important, then the answer is simply very!

We applaud the North Ottawa Community Health System for its efforts in redefining its relevance to the community with sure financial footing and a plan for growth. We encourage you to get to know your local health care system, and find out more about what it means to you and to our community as a whole to keep health care local.

Our Views reflects the majority opinion of the members of the Grand Haven Tribune editorial board: Kevin Hook, Cheryl Welch, Matt DeYoung and Fred VandenBrand. What do you think? E-mail us a letter to the editor to news@grandhaventribune.com or log-in to our website and leave a comment below.

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Keeping health care local