King County Councilmember Joe McDermott to chair Health Board

A quick note for anyone interested in keeping track of what issues their political representatives are focused on: West Seattle’s newest King County Councilmember, Joe McDermott, is chairing the county Board of Health. That’s one of the assignments just made public by the King County Council, after its reorganization meeting. McDermott also is on the following committees: Budget and Fiscal Management; Environment and Transportation; Law, Justice, Health and Human Services; and Regional Policy. (All councilmembers also serve on the Committee of the Whole.)

Joe McDermott January 18, 2011 (4:47 pm)

I look forward to the work ahead of me now that the King County Council has completed its reorganization for 2011, though I should point out that the Chair of the Board of Health is elected by the Board. The meeting and vote is Thursday. I hope I do have the opportunity to serve as Chair.

WSB January 18, 2011 (5:03 pm)

thanks, CM McDermott … I took it directly from a news release sent by Council Communications (see last line) … there was nothing in the release explaining anything was tentative; I will reply to suggest they might consider a correction if that’s the case. – TR:
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2011 County Council Committee Assignments

Committee of the Whole: Hague, Chair, Phillips, Vice Chair. All Councilmembers serve on the Committee.

Budget and Fiscal Management: Patterson, Chair, Lambert, Vice Chair. Members: Dunn, Hague, McDermott, Phillips.

Environment and Transportation: Phillips, Chair, Hague, Vice Chair. Members: Ferguson, McDermott, von Reichbauer.

Government Accountability and Oversight: Lambert, Chair, Dunn, Vice Chair. Members: Gossett, von Reichbauer.

Law, Justice Health and Human Services: Ferguson, Chair, Lambert, Vice Chair. Members: Dunn, Gossett, McDermott.

Regional Policy Committee: von Reichbauer, Chair. Members: Ferguson, McDermott.

Regional Transit Committee: Dunn, Chair. Members: Patterson, Phillips.

Regional Water Quality Committee: Gossett, Chair. Members: Hague, Lambert.

Board of Health: McDermott Chair, Lambert, Vice Chair. Member: Patterson

visitor January 18, 2011 (5:43 pm)

I hope the county board of health has a bit more clout than the state board of health! The state won’t even touch the critical issue of the unregulated human tissue industry, which is a major health concern for citizens who undergo certain medical procedures. They said they don’t have the “authority”! What’s the point boards of health if they can’t, or won’t, address important issues? These assignments just seem to be so much window dressing.

TB January 18, 2011 (7:36 pm)

Just what does the County Board of Health do? I assume oversee the Medical Examiners office??? Promote flu shots?

WSB January 18, 2011 (7:42 pm)

I put that up too fast for the usual hotlinks. Will add this – here’s what BOH is all about:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/boh.aspx

Lorelee January 18, 2011 (9:26 pm)

TB- just a few examples of the board of health’s a activities that impact my line of work- in the last couple years they mandated menu labeling for chain restaurants and banned trans fat. So to address ‘visitor’s concerns, yes, they have a fair amount if authority. I agree that the state BOH doesn’t have a lot of authority and therefore they don’t attract real impressive candidates. King co is a different story.

Sorry, comment time is over.