No Decision Yet On Remington’s Reappointment
By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioners are withholding their recommendation for appointment of the county board of health medical director position at this time.
The commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 23, approved a list of board appointments, department head appointments and miscellaneous recommendations for 2022 with the exception of the health medical director position.
Dr. William Remington was recommended for reappointment to serve another four-year term in that position during the Kosciusko County Board of Health meeting last month; however, the commissioners have the final say.
“We are going to withhold our recommendation for the board of health medical director,” Commissioner President Bob Conley announced. “In this position, we feel that there’s a lot of discussions we need to have. It’s a tough decision that we have to make. We want to get input and make sure we make the right decision on that board, so we’re going to take a longer, hard look at that and we won’t make that appointment today.”
Although it was not specified when a decision regarding the board appointment will be made, Remington’s current term ends Dec. 31, meaning a decision would be necessary prior to the end of the year.
Earlier this month, more than a dozen people spoke out at a previous commissioners’ meeting about the potential reappointment of Remington – most in opposition.
Jodi Cox of Warsaw presented commissioners with a letter objecting to the reappointment of Remington, along with a petition containing nearly 600 signatures.
The concerns relate to a recent Warsaw Community Schools’ mask mandates as well as a ‘hot mic moment’ last month in which a private conversation between Remington and other officials, in part about the mask mandate, was live streamed prior to a COVID-19 press conference at city hall.
Remington has been a strong proponent of mask mandates in schools as a way to minimize quarantine requirements.
Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger said he’s aware that regardless of what decision the commissioners make, “there are going to be people who don’t like the decision.”
Groninger said commissioners realize there are a lot of people who are passionate about this issue and said commissioners want to look through the facts and talk to more people to ensure that they are making the most informed decision possible.
“We’re trying to make the decision that we feel is the right decision for our community to move forward,” Groninger said.
Commissioners hear both sides of the story, Groninger said, and are taking the decision very seriously.
Groninger said he is not for mask mandates or vaccination mandates but added that he feels there is sometimes confusion “on what this vote is or isn’t” and wants to make sure commissioners are making the right choice.
“We’re going to do our best to make a decision that we feel will be best, in the long run, for the majority of the people,” Conley said.
He added that “people who care get involved – and you got involved. We hear you.”
Conley said the decision is a tough one and he hasn’t made up his mind one way or the other.
2022 Board Appointments by Commissioners:
- Alcohol Beverage Commission Alan Alderfer
- Board of Zoning Appeals Kevin McSherry
- Board of Zoning Appeals Lee Harman
- Bowen Center Board Jon Barber
- Drainage Board Cary Groninger
- Emergency Mgt. Advisory Board Cary Groninger
- KCCRVC Mark Skibowski
- KEDCo Brad Jackson
- OrthoWorx Brad Jackson
- PTABOA Susie Stookey
- PTABOA Phyllis Olinger
- Redevelopment Commission Dan Thystrup
- Redevelopment Commission Mike Metzger
- Redevelopment Commission Doug Hanes
- School Board (non voting) Jeremy Mullins
- St. Joseph River Basin Jon Roberts
- Strategic Planning Committee Brad Jackson
- Strategic Planning Committee Marsha McSherry
- Wage Committee Brad Jackson
2022 Department Head Appointments
- Area Plan Director Dan Richard
- County Administrator Marsha McSherry
- County Attorney Edward Ormsby
- County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty
- GIS Bill Holder
- Homeland Security/LEPC Ed Rock
- HR Director Cathy Reed
- Systems Administrator Bob Momeyer
- Veteran Officer Darryl McDowell
2022 Misc. Recommendations for Appointment
- Board of Health Larry Coplen
- Board of Health Brian Reichenbach
- Drainage Board Dennis Darr
- Library – North Webster Amanda Fretz
- Weights & Measures John Sloan