I would like all of the 1,500 plus patients of Debbie Fenton at the Upper Lake Clinic to know that Sutter Lakeside Hospital has decided to close the clinic.

This is a disaster for all the residents of Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne and other surrounding areas who depend on that clinic. Debbie Fenton LNP is very knowledgeable and she really cares for her patients. It would be a shame to lose her and this clinic.

If you want to save this clinic from closing we must rally together as a community and call or write Siri Nelson of Sutter Lakeside Hospital and tell her how vital this clinic is to the residents in this area. As a community our voices will be heard. We need to try or we will lose this medical clinic.

When I was at the clinic last week I met a lady from Clearlake who drives all the way to this clinic because of the outstanding care she receives.

I think the hospital has its priorities mixed up. It spends thousands of dollars keeping up its outside gardens and then it will close a clinic that treats more than 1,500 people. What is more important – people’s lives or a beautiful garden?

This is a horrible surprise for everyone I’m sure. Please if you care, you need to speak up now before it is too late. If you do nothing, do not complain when it is gone.

Lisa Alotta lives in Upper Lake, Calif.