WATSEKA --The Iroquois County Board Monday voted 13-2 to remove three members of the Ford-Iroquois Department of Public Health Board. Then, approved two of three replacements.
Later that morning, the newly-appointed members and Iroquois County Board Chairman Rod Copas were not present for a scheduled health board meeting.
The meeting, at the Gilman-Danforth Library, was cancelled for lack of a quorum.But it was also postponed when Edgar County Watchdogs.com spokesperson John Kraft pointed out the meeting wasn’t properly posted to meet the Open Meetings Act.
The action presented more drama in the ongoing story of alleged mis-spending by the Ford-Iroquois Health Department and an investigation to find answers.
State’s Attorney Jim Devine said (Mon) information regarding questionable spending habits will be looked into.
And County Board Chairman Rod Copas (Cope-us) said any findings may take some time.
Copus referred to “ we're getting beat up in the public” --- pointing to WGFA News about the coverage of the recent events involving the spending concerns Copus has pointed out in the public health departments operations. Public health department supporters (like Larry Hasbargen) say the health department’s side of allegations leveled against it are finally being heard after weeks of printed attacks by Chairman Copas, with no chance to respond. Hasbargen told the County Board it's harassment, based on innuendos with no evidence of any wrongdoing.
The president of the F-I Public Health Board, Dr. Kevin Brucker, was quite miffed Monday, asking why, if this matter is so important, none of the Iroquois County appointees showed at the meeting at the Gilman Library ?Brucker questioned the motives of wanting to fix things and then not showing up ?
The Ford County reps of the Health Department were all present for the cancelled meeting. Ford County Board Chairman Rick Bowen has repeatedly said he has no problem with the health department.
Copas says it’s about open, honest and transparent government.
The Iroquois County Board voted 13-2 to remove Diane Clatterbuck, Jill Kaeb and Dr. Alexander Michalow from the health board.Two of the three were replaced.
Lauren Luecke and Michelle Fairley were approved as new members.Copas said he ‘s still looking for that third appointee with a medical background.
Meanwhile---another angle in the drama is Edgarcountywatchdogs.com.It’s a government watchdog group from Paris (IL) that serves as an outlet for people to ask questions about what they perceive as wrongdoing.
94.1 FM, WGFA
