Seward to remain on health board

WASHINGTON — Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. was reappointed to the Washington County Board of Health Tuesday morning, where he’s served for the last 11 years.

The Republican county supervisor was previously undecided about whether he’d seek another 3-year term. By the Nov. 21 meeting, however, he said he’d made up his mind.

“I think it’d be best to have some continuity, and experienced member of the board who knows what the state’s going to do,” he said. “So I would give you my request to be reappointed.”

Last week’s meeting saw the replacement of Board Chair Cathy Buffington with a newcomer, Chiropractor Kodey Salow.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen had also thrown her name in the hat, but is out of the running with Seward’s reappointment, which filled the second of two open seats.

Seward’s reappointment happens against a backdrop of state-level changes in health administration including efforts to consolidate regional bodies and, according to some county officials, plans to gut the authority of local public health decision-makers.

It also follows a trend of previously unseen competition for spots on the board of the once obscure local government body, thrust into the spotlight early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the 11 years that I’ve been on, the Board of Health has found someone and recommended them to the Board of Supervisors, because there were no volunteers,” Seward said at a previous meeting. “the issue all started, of more people becoming more interested, when COVID hit.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com