The Ada County Board of Commissioners has decided to postpone their decision of who will fill the open Central District Health Board seat. The Commissioners will meet again Tuesday, August 17 to make a decision.
Commissioner Kendra Kenyon suggested the motion to table the vote in order to give the public more time to give feedback and possibly have another conversation with each candidate.
Related: Ada County Commissioners to appoint new CDH board member
All three board members had differing opinions about whom to select. Chairman Rod Beck was very open to discussion about all three candidates.
Beck also said this process has become frustrating to him and claims the press has caused the politicization in this process.
Tune in live at 9 am to the Ada County Commissioners Open Meeting where they’ll make an appointment to CDH’s Board of Health.
— Central District Health (@CDHidaho) August 10, 2021
View the meeting on YouTube: https://t.co/AWsWRjA1d0.
View the recorded interviews at: https://t.co/rB8nd4xPEL.
Commissioner Ryan Davidson favored Dr. Ryan Cole, a pathologist who owns Cole Diagnostics Laboratory. He said he liked how Cole was an “outsider” who could bring a different point of view to the board.
“All three bring a slightly different perspective to the issues of the day. I am definitely leaning toward Dr. Cole,” Davidson said.
Commissioner Kendra Kenyon favored Dr. Sky Blue, a local epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist at the start of the discussion. Kenyon said she believes it's important to pick someone who has a reputation and is well trusted in the medical community.
“This is a medical position. What does the medical community have to say? The medical community spoke loud and clear supporting Dr. Blue,” Kenyon said.
Kenyon later proposed a compromise that would nominate Dr. Stan Moss, a retired orthopedic surgeon, but he would need to consult with Blue and Cole on any decisions regarding COVID-19.
You can rewatch the meeting here.
