SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Opinion

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
February 27, 2013

Letter: Size of Salem health board should be reduced

The Salem News

To the editor:

I am writing in response to the article “Salem council wants to keep health board as is,” published Nov. 16, 2012. According to Massachusetts law, a city board of health should consist of three members, one being a physician, so when the current seven-member Salem board requested to reduce its size to five members, the City Council should have approved the request. The Salem board was originally expanded to seven members to oversee a hospital that no longer exists. Reducing its size now would allow the board to reach a quorum and make important decisions regarding public health. I would call for a further reduction in the size of the board to the three members directed by statute. This would steer the board members toward their primary responsibility: protecting public health, rather than becoming sidetracked with their own pet issues.

I respectfully request a meeting with the mayor, health board, City Council and solicitor together to discuss the matter further, as well as to discuss the parallel issue of regionalization for cost efficiency.

Robert Blenkhorn

Salem

Retired certified health officer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion

AP Video
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Comments Tracker
Roll Call
Helium debate
Helium