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01/27/2006: "County Can Add Members To Board Of Health"

(JoAnn Campbell, Dr. Thomas Locke & John Manning)

Under the old "Road Commissioner" form of government in Washington, County Commissioners also sat as the County Board of Health -never mind that they may be untrained and inexperienced in such matters- but under the Charter form of government the County may now reach out to the community of experts -retired or still active- that reside in San Juan County, and appoint one or more to sit with them on the new Board of Health.

Dr. Thomas Locke is the Chair of the Washington State Board of Health, and the Health Officer for both Clallam and Jefferson Counties, and at the request of John Manning, The Director of SJC Health & Community Services, he and Manning came before the Council and suggested that now that the Charter allows them to do so, our local Board of Health may wish to appoint additional people to the Board. Dr. Locke gave a short history of the expansion of the Boards in Clallam & Jefferson, and reviewed the aspects of state law that dictate that the majority of the members must be elected officials, but that additional members can be appointed.

Councilman Ranker suggested a new Board be comprised of four members from the County Council, one from Town of Friday Harbor, and one member at large; perhaps from Orcas or Lopez.

Chairman Lichter also supported the concept as an opportunity for the Board to have special talents, but suggested the Board wait for the return of fellow Councilman Myhr to make a final decision.

Dr. Locke pointed out that the Board can both create, and un-create a Board, so the Council can modify the structure at anytime.