Ivers reappointed as health board chair

After weeks of withering criticism, including calls from at least one current colleague to step aside, and despite professing no interest in the job, Jan Ivers was reappointed as chair of the county health board Jan. 13.

Ivers has emerged as a lightning rod in the months since the COVID-19 pandemic began. As chair of the suddenly controversial health board, she had drawn heavy criticism, from failing to follow parliamentary procedure to trampling residents’ constitutional rights.

Given the furor, she was poised to pass off the gavel during the board’s first meeting of the year, the time when new officers are selected.

“Last month, I stated I would not serve as chair this year,” Ivers said last week. “That statement was based on public comment stating perhaps that I am not the best person for the position.”

Ivers, though, revealed that few of her colleagues seemed intent on taking the job. Given the disinterest, she turned finding a successor over to the board.

Debra Armstrong, the Eureka representative to the board who has oft sparred with Ivers, immediately nominated Josh Letcher for the position.

Letcher, a county commissioner for the Eureka area, serves as that body’s representative to the health board. It’s a position he’s held since December, when he took over for County Commissioner Mark Peck (D-1).

Letcher ascended to the position in a show of good faith following complaints of underrepresentation of the north county on health board. In the weeks since, he has reiterated that he represents the commissioners — and thus the county as a whole —rather than the Eureka area, specifically.

“I don’t mean to be critical. I don’t want to be the chairperson. I think it’s a very hard job,” Armstrong said while nominating Letcher. “[It] just seems like the meetings are a little out of control and have a hard time sticking to the agenda and following the rules of order.”

Count Letcher among those who have questioned Ivers’ leadership. During a Dec. 9 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, he called on her to step down from the post.

He cited tension with members of the community who sought to speak during health board meetings as the reason for her removal.

But presented with the specter of becoming board chair, Letcher pointed to logistical problems. As a north county resident, he would have to either make the commute to and from Libby for meetings or chair them remotely from Eureka.

He also said he felt Ivers’ performance had improved in recent weeks.

“I appreciate [Armstrong] nominating me as the chair,” Letcher said. “I understand the public’s frustration, as I was frustrated, too. I do know [Ivers] has gotten better over the last couple of meetings.”

During a brief public comment period, several north county residents asked that the board hold off on appointing a chair until another representative from their area joined the panel. The board’s legal counsel, Jinnifer Mariman, pointed out that the bylaws did not allow any leeway on officer appointments.

After Ivers was floated as an alternative to Letcher — nominated by board member Jim Seifert and seconded by Sara Mertes — former Libby City Councilor DC Orr warned against returning her to the position.

“Jan Ivers has shown a disinterest in parliamentary procedure and I just want everyone to know that won’t be tolerated very well,” said Orr, who has lobbied commissioners unsuccessfully to disband the health board or remove members unwilling to sack Health Officer Dr. Brad Black.

But Ivers’ colleagues saw fit to reappoint her to the position. In a final vote, the board unanimously backed her return.

Prior to the vote, Ivers noted that she had never sought the position. She also admitted that procedure was not her strong suit.

“The commissioners have made a commitment to have meetings and have experts come in and assist with that procedure and that’s wonderful no matter who the chair is,” she said.

Afterwards, Ivers pledged to continue working on procedure. She told residents that they could expect to see improvements in the coming months.