Seifert tapped as Troy rep to county health board

As active coronavirus cases increase, Jim Seifert, the newest member of the Lincoln County Health Board, aims to take a firm but understanding approach in his fight against the pandemic.

“I hope I can educate the public [about the virus] and not be too heavy handed about it,” he said.

Troy Mayor Dallas Carr appointed Seifert as the city’s representative after Maggie Anderson, former Troy representative, left the board at the end of her term. Speaking at a Nov. 12 Troy City Council meeting, Seifert introduced himself to councilors and urged them to contact him about issues they might want brought before the board.

Carr commended Seifert for stepping into the role amid the pandemic.

“It’s going to be expected of you guys to do some things good and some things that might be a little unpleasant maybe for us to listen to,” said Carr. “But it has to be done.”

Seifert, who is retired, brings over 40 years of work in the health care industry to his new position. After moving to Lincoln County in 1955, he graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in pharmacy. From 1978 to 2005, he started and ran Kootenai Drug in Troy.

In 2006, he left Lincoln County to work as a relief pharmacist. Until his retirement in 2016, Seifert’s work took him across the country, from Alaska to New City.

As he settles into his new role, Seifert said he was surprised by the extent of the health board’s responsibilities. In addition to addressing the local pandemic response, the committee oversees clinics, air quality issues, refuse and asbestos-related care, among other areas of responsibility.

Since joining the group, Seifert said he studied up on responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The most effective measures, he told councilors, are relatively simple. Wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing go a long way in addressing the spread of the virus.

“But if you go around the county, there’s a lot of people that say ‘You’re taking away my right to not wear a mask,’” he said. Seifert compared making these assertions to arguing that residents should have the right drink and drive.

Carr said he gained an appreciation for the health board after attending a meeting earlier in the week with Dr. Brad Black, public health officer, other local elected and health officials. Having known Black for over 45 years, Carr said he had faith in his judgment.

With six deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the county, Carr said it was critical to educate residents on the threat posed by the virus.

“Get it out to people that this is serious,” he said. “We don’t have to shut down to do this, we just need to put masks on [and work on] spacing, crowd size.”

With promising news of vaccines in development, Carr noted residents would likely have to endure public health measures for only a few more months.

“Hopefully by spring this will work out if we can just stay together,” he said.

Seifert’s colleague on the board, Dr. Sara Mertes, also is at the end of her term. At a Nov. 10 meeting, which marked Seifert's first time sitting on the board, Mertes, an at-large representative, asked to be reinstated.