Moran citizen states concerns

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors heard a concern from a Moran citizen during Monday’s regular meeting, then worked through the rest of the agenda fairly quickly, including a brief closed session

During the public forum portion of the meeting, Christina Zinn of Moran asked if there could be a backup plan for pharmacy closure, stating that it had been a hardship on several older Moran citizens when Sanders Drug Store was closed because of the weather earlier this month.

Board president Jo Ann Estridge explained that both the regular and substitute pharmacists live out of town, and it was unsafe to travel on those days.

“It is against the law for us to open without a pharmacist,” she said. “Also, we couldn’t get into the building because the whole thing was shut down. You are being an advocate for people who needed their medication, and we understand that, but unfortunately, those things were out of our control.”

Several directors expressed sympathy for all those who did without medicine during the icy weather but said that there was little that could be done about the situation.

“I want to commend the pharmacy staff when they did open back on on Friday,” said board member Myra Hise. “They worked very hard to catch up.”

Other Business

•One item on the closed session agenda, entitled “EMS Personnel,” was tabled because the board member who requested it was unable to attend.

•The directors closed the meeting for about 10 minutes for the second item, listed only as “Sanders,” but took no action upon reopening to the public.