The Clinton County Board denied three out of four appointments to the Board of Health during Monday night’s meeting after several citizens and county board members questioned the legitimacy of the appointments. Veterinarian Dr. Michelle Scott was the only appointee to receive a passing vote.
Three individuals were set to be appointed to the health board in addition to Scott; Dr. David Munz, Ph.D, Dr. Erin Gagen and registered nurse Christy Picard. While Munz and Scott were reappointments whose terms had expired, Gagen and Picard were new to the board. The four appointments would have brought the health board up to the correct number of nine members after a resignation last year and failure of the health board administrator to renew the appointment of Dr. Deanna DuComb.
According to District 2 representative Brad Knolhoff, DuComb’s replacement was due to a “technicality” in which she was not officially reappointed. However, several citizens — including DuComb herself —asserted that she was not reappointed in reaction to a question she asked at a February board of health meeting. DuComb asked whether Clinton County’s African-American citizens would feel safe in Breese after dark as part of an argument supporting keeping the county’s public health center in the more diverse city of Carlyle rather than moving it to Breese.
The question caused a flurry of controversy within the county, with Breese mayor Charlie Hilmes calling it “slanderous.” Hilmes appeared before the county board last month and personally requested that DuComb be removed from the board of health.
Before voting, several citizens took advantage of the public comment section of the meeting to speak out in support of DuComb. The first was Scott, who called her fellow member an “excellent addition” to the board of health.
“During her relatively short time on the board, Dr. DuComb has been a vocal advocate for all citizens of our county. She has shown a unique determination to dissect some of the policies and procedures that escape notice by the community and board members. I am disappointed that Dr. DuComb, despite being approved for reappointment by her fellow board members, has not been listed as a candidate for reappointment,” said Scott. “If Dr. DuComb is denied her position ... I feel that I must reconsider my own membership, as I do not want to be a part of a board that has been appointed with bias.”
Complete-game shutout — Central freshman pitcher Avery Budde sends home a pitch in the second inning of the Cougars’ 2-0 win over Columbia last Thursday in Breese. Budde allowed just two hits and three walks in the victory. (Photo by Jeremy Chawgo) The Central Cougars softball team continues their best start to a season as they have ran their record to 11-2 on the season which includes a 5-0 mark in Cahokia Conference play.
The Cougars defeated Freeburg and Columbia in conference play last week along with a nonconference win at New Athens last Friday.
The victory over Columbia last Thursday ended a 23-game losing streak to the Eagles. Central’s last win against Columbia came back on April 12, 2007 when Leann Voss went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, a single and three RBIs for the Cougars who ended that season with a 12-16 record.
The Cougars played at Carlyle on Tuesday and hosted Mater Dei on Wednesday. Central plays in Breese against Wesclin on Thursday before partaking in the Nashville Tournament this weekend.
Central 3, New Athens 1: The Cougars ran out to a 3-0 lead in their nonconference road win last Friday.
Central scored two runs in the top of the first inning with Chloe Book leading things off with an infield single. Avery Budde then singled with one out to put two runners on.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Ashtyn Harre came through with a 2-run double to center to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
They added an unearned run in the second inning when Miah Weems drew a 1-out walk. She was erased on a fielder’s choice from Haley Ashford. Book singled to right before Ashford scored on a passed ball to extend the lead to 3-0.
Photos by Anita Brandmeyer and Kelly Jo Ross
Photos by Melissa WilkinsonChilly, damp weather didn’t stop the kids of Clinton County from storming the fields this weekend in search of treats. From hunting eggs to photo booths to meeting the Easter Bunny himself, last weekend was the perfect way to kick off Easter festivities. The 4-H bunny made an appearance at the 4-H egg hunt at Breese Northside Park on April 14. Many children had a successful morning at the annual New Baden egg hunt on April 13, sponsored by the New Baden Lions Club. The egg hunt began promptly at 11 a.m. and all eggs were collected by 11:05. Central High School also hosted a “Breakfast with Bunny” last Sunday, with student volunteers, including the Central High School baseball team. (Photos by Anita Brandmeyer, Kelly Jo Ross and Melissa Wilkinson)
| Fri., April 12 |
447.47 |
| Sun., April 14 | 446.82 |
| Tues., April 16 | 446.36 |
| April 10 | .00" |
| April 11 | .00" |
| April 12 | .21" |
| April 13 |
.00" |
| April 14 | .94" |
| April 15 | .03" |
| April 16 | .00" |
