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In the May 7 article, "Hospitals duel in Montgomery," the reporter began by claiming that business groups were divided in the hospital debate in Montgomery County, yet he did not contact any business group in writing the article. He went on to discuss the position of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and made unfair allegations about the chamber and its chair without confirmation, clarification or rebuttal comment.

Because that did not happen, I feel the need to clarify the chamber's position.

Both Adventist HealthCare and Holy Cross Hospital are valued members of our chamber. They are both strong corporate citizens, and we are all very lucky to have them both in the county. The decision as to where the next hospital will be located will be made by the Maryland Health Care Commission, and many citizen groups and individuals have expressed their individual views as to which proposal is best. As we have two current members with competing interests in a hotly contested issue, the chamber seeks to ensure complete neutrality on the issue.

As a result, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce has not, and will not, take a position on the hospitals at this time. This decision was made by an overwhelming majority of the board of directors by a vote of 15-2, with our current chairman not only recusing himself from the vote, but standing down from his position as chair during the discussion. Our decision to remain neutral in this matter is consistent with chamber policies throughout the county and the state.

Marilyn Balcombe is president and CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.