10:44 AM Houston County Commission Makes Appointments To Southeast Healthcare Authority

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Nov 12 2024 10:45 AM

HOUSTON COUNTY:    This morning the Houston County Commission Chairman and members of the Houston County Commission met in their regular scheduled meeting.

Chairman Brandon Shoupe and all members of the Houston County Commissioners were present.

The meeting lasted 14 minutes from Call to Order, Pledge, Prayer through adjournment.

On November 5, 2024 the proposed amendment to change the appointment procedure to the Southeast Health Authority was defeated almost 2 to 1.

D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring and D4 Commissioner James Ivey had never fulfilled their statutory duties in naming members of the Southeast Health Authority. Today those positions were filled.

DISTRICT THREE:     The citizens of District 3 are represented by Ricky Herring. The Southeast Health Authority recommended the following on District 3; (1) Chester Sowell - Incumbent Board Member and Chairman of the Southeast Health Board (2) Neil Holloway (3) Lance Shepard - former Board Member replaced by appointment of Brownie Browning.

In a motion made by D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring, second by D4 Commissioner James Ivey, Neil Holloway will be the new member to Southeast Healthcare Authority for District Three. D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring had refused to appoint Lance Shepard when his term expired. D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring did not like Chester Sowell and RSN knew there was no way would Herring re-appoint Chester Sowell.

No questions or statement were made by the Commissioner.

DISTRICT FOUR:     The citizens of District 4 are presented by James Ivey. The Southeast Health Authority recommended the following on District 4: (1) Dr. Walter Young - Incumbent Board Member (2) Chris Sutter (3) Dr. Donavon Wewers. D4 Commissioner James Ivey made a motion to appoint Dr. Donavon Wewers, motion second by D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring. Motion passed without any discussion.

No questions or statements were made by the commissioner.

The Commission approved a change of the Solid Waste Officer from a person to a position. The item passed without discussion.

The Commission approved legislation to be drafted by the local representatives and Senator on credit card use by the Houston County Sheriff Department.

The Commission approved a copier lease agreement.

No report from the Houston County Administrator, Peter Covert.

Houston County Engineer Barkley Kirkland said four roads were closed for APRA Road paving project.

No report from the private attorney, Press Register, who represents Houston County Commission.

Begin at 10:00 AM, adjourned at 10:14 AM.

COMMENTS:   The Houston County Commission tells the myth they are open and transparent. The registered voters spoke loud and clear on November 5 they wanted the appointment process to Southeast Health Authority kept the same. That procedure is the Southeast Healthcare Authority submits three names to the commission and the commission must select one of the three. In wanting the registered voters to change the policy the commission stated it needed to be more transparent.

QUESTION:   Two appointments were just made to the Southeast Healthcare Authority. Have you heard any questioning or interviews of the three recommendations made to the Commission. Since no public interviews, then how did D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring and D4 Commissioner James Ivey make the selection from the three names submitted? This is not the Botanical Garden Board, but the Healthcare Authority Board.

Alabama Law dictates the Commission must select from one of the three names submitted by the Healthcare Authority. The law does not prevent the Commission from open interviews of those three names to see their thoughts, feelings or background. So once again it appears the members of the Houston County Commission did not serve their district in the best manner possible.

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