Lincoln Hospital District down to one trustee following resignations

The Lincoln Hospital District board of Trustees is down to just a single member following the resignations of three of the remaining four members Monday, Sept. 23.

Secretary Judy Spath and Trustee Mary Anne Brown both submitted their resignations to board Chairman Shane Brown prior to the scheduled monthly meeting Sept. 23, which was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.

Shane Brown, who said he had been considering his own resignation for several months prior to the September meeting, opted to step down at that time as well.

The remaining trustee, Treasurer Karen Frank-Plumlee, will now face the task of filling the empty seats by appointment. The new members of the board will hold the seats until the next regular election, set for May 5, 2020.

Although Lincoln Hospital District Bylaws require a minimum of three trustees for a quorum on the five-member board, e-mails provided by Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Susan Good Giese showed that the County Attorney's office determined state law allows the remaining board members, even if there is only one, to fill the seats by appointment.

If Frank-Plumlee is unable to fill at least two of the empty seats to constitute a quorum, state law allows the County Commission to, by resolution, assume the duties of the district.

The Hospital District board had been short one member following the July 22 resignation of then-Chariman Terry Spath, who stepped down to ensure the rocky relationship that had developed between him and Geise over concerns about the separation of PureView Health Center from the county didn't affect the board.

Although there appeared to be some tension on the board at the July meeting, Brown said his decision was largely driven by personal issues, including the demands of his new position as Principal at Lincoln Schools, family obligations and ongoing recovery from knee surgery.

Brown said it seemed like the best time to step down and to allow a new board to take over and find a new direction.

"The District will need people on the board who can dedicate the time to do it justice," Brown said.

Brown hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to the district, if there's a need and if things have settled down enough in his personal life to allow him to do so.

Audrey McCue at the Lewis and Clark County elections office said she was unaware of the reason for the resignations of Spath and Mary Anne Brown. Spath confirmed they both resigned ahead of the meeting, but preferred not to discuss the impetus for the decision.

Anyone interested in serving on the Lincoln Hospital District can the Lewis and Clark County Treasurer/Clerk and Recorder Paulette DeHart at 447-8339 or by email at [email protected].

A declaration for nomination is available online at http://www.lccountymt.gov/car/elections/info-for-candidates.html under 2019 Candidate filing information.