At Tuesday's County Commission meeting, Chairman Rich was questioned by Willard Weaver (see video the reported Wednesday below). What has come to light was this was related to the Hospital Board.
In the Commissioner's January 22 executive session, Hospital CEO Jim Peak and Board Chairman Joe Livingston spent about 30 minutes with Commissioners, then left. 30 minutes later, Commissioners returned to regular session. Among others appointments announced were 3 names for an open Hospital Board position vacated by Dr Dean Burke. They were Sarah Griffin, June Mosely and Jim Smith.
By State law, Commissioners submit 3 names for the vacant position. The Hospital Board itself then decides who they will pick to serve on the Board. In the Hospital Board's next meeting, they opted to reject all 3 persons submitted to them.
The controversy at Tuesday's meeting directly involved Chairman Rich and the rejection of the submitted names. We understand the dissatisfaction was due to a telephone conversation that Chairman Rich had with Hospital Board Chairman Joe Livingston.
Commissioner Butch Mosely told us "Somebody is not telling the truth about this thing." He felt they had submitted 3 legitimate candidates to the Hospital Board.
Sources indicate that Mr Weaver asked the wrong question of Chairman Rich. I believe that if he had used the word "assured" or "assurances", rather than the word "deal", the answer should have been different. One may say it is just semantics, but "deal" conjures up such a bad image.
Several Commissioners indicated they felt there was interference in the process, that it was not allowed to run its course.
When asked, Commissioner Earl Perry told us he did not know why they had rejected the 3 candidates. He went on to say that he does feel strongly that no board should be self perpetuating. Even though it is State law, he does not like the idea that a board chooses its own members.
Dr Perry continued by stating that he has worked very hard to change the way things have operated for so many years in Decatur County. He stated Commissioners gratefully receive suggestions on potential board members, but he does not want to feel pressured.
Dr Perry also stated the Commission makes appointments to many, many boards. He feels that of all the boards, the Hospital Board and the Development Authority were 2 of the most significant appointments they make.
Joe Livingston, Hospital Board Chairman, stated his desire to work through this with the Commissioners. He told us the way the law is written, the Commission will submit 3 more names to the Hospital Board. The Board then must choose a name from that list to fill the Board position.
Mr Livingston told us that the open position was vacated by a Doctor, Dr Dean Burke. Mr Livingston stated that while it is totally up to the commissioners on who they submit, he felt very strongly the Board needs to have a Doctor from the hospital's active medical staff.
-------------------------- From Feb 26 Commissioner's Meeting --------------------------
Willard Weaver first told the Commissioners that he felt that the Commissioners should be the most valuable people we have in Decatur County. Then "To go behind some of the other County Commissioners and pull a deal is wrong."
Mr Weaver asked Chairman Rich if he received a letter from anybody complaining about the appointments to the hospital board. Chairman Rich responded "That's really not on this agenda today but I will answer the question and the answer to your question is no." "The answer to your question is I have not received a letter from anyone."
Commissioner Mosely made sure the Chairman's answer was recorded in the minutes. When asked by Chairman Rich if there was a problem, Commissioner Mosely said yes. They agreed that was not the place to discuss it.
