As this new year begins, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ballard News-Tribune staff for their efforts in keeping the Ballard community well informed. Please continue your good work we need and appreciate it.

I would also like to state that I was pleased and agreed with Theresa Jay's Dec. 19 letter sentiments to Dr. Hochman's changing the direction of the Ballard Swedish Hospital Campus to include more services rather than cut them as was started in 2006. I applaud Dr. Hochman's foresight in this matter.

Once again Ballard Swedish will serve all, including us seniors and the legacy that the "Knuckle Knockers," which my mother, Helen Hansen, was a member of and worked so hard years ago to obtain a good community hospital, will live on.

Geraldine Hansen

Ballard