Hospital board discusses complaint

By Melinda L. Lucas

Four members of the Shackelford County Hospital Board met long enough in open session to appoint a new director and take care of some routine business before closing the doors to discuss “board member conduct” for over an hour on Monday, Jan. 23.

Kraymer Harbold, who has been an Albany resident for several years, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board on a motion by Jason Price, seconded by Mary Beth Jones.

“We almost didn’t have a quorum tonight, and I think it’s important to get someone in this vacant position,” said Price.

A paramedic and also a real estate agent, Harbold met with the board a couple of months ago to express his interest in serving. He will be required to sign up for either the unexpired one-year term or a full two-year term by the Feb. 17 filing deadline if he wishes to continue as a board member after the term ends in May.

Closed Session

The directors closed the meeting at 6:25 p.m. to discuss an agenda item listed as “board member conduct,” which was apparently a “verbal complaint.”

When they reopened at 7:40 p.m., EMS director Mateo Millan was asked to see if the complainant would sign a written form.

A committee consisting of Price and board president Jo Ann Estridge was formed to address all complaints directed at SCHD employees or board members.

There were no formal motions made, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.