MOUNT VERNON — In her first board meeting since officially taking over as Knox County Health Commissioner, Julie Miller announced the search for a new environmental health director is progressing at a pace that should have a new director named within two weeks.
“We have it narrowed down to four candidates,” she said. “Two are from out of town and I will be conducting telephone interviews with them [Thursday]. The other two will be in person. The top two candidates will be brought in to meet with the Environmental Health staff and board members before a decision is made.”
In other news:
•Miller reported the two solid waste nuisance and construction permit issues involving properties on McLarnan and Dennis Church roads, owned by the Gingrich family, are in the hands of the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office but no action has yet been taken. Miller contacted Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Springer who told her the charges would be filed today.
•The board approved a contract with the Environmental Protection Agency for a teacher education grant.
•Miller reported she had been contacted by Mount Vernon Safety-Service Director David Glass stating the city’s contract for services with the board of health has expired. Miller said she would be talking with him about a new contract.
•It was reported sanitarians Suzanne Dapprich and Nathan Overholt conducted food service inspections at the Fredericktown Tomato Show and the Centerburg Oldtime Farming Festival. The inspections involved mobile food service units and temporary food service operations at both events.
•Board President Lee Rhoades thanked Interim Health Commissioner Pat Tuttle for the excellent job she performed during her tenure and for all the assistance she provided in Miller’s transition to the position.
•The board discussed changing the meeting time of the board from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The idea was tabled until all persons who might be affected by the change were contacted.
