Houston County Commission Urges People to Vote First Amendment

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Voters will decide the outcome of a dispute between Houston County commissioners and the group that oversees Southeast Health, a vast medical network.

Houston County Chairman Brandon Shoup and four Houston County Commissioners want voters to say yes to the First Amendment on the county ballot next month.

That would mean commissioners would be able to appoint anyone to the 13-member Houston County Health Authority.

“Voting for this amendment will mean that the people you vote for will have a say at the table when it comes to who sits on the health authority. That’s what it means,” Shoup said.

The way things work now is that these commissioners can only choose from a short list provided to them by the health authority.

Some of these commissioners call it the fox guarding the hen house.

However, the board believes that leaving things as they are now makes sense and gives commissioners a choice.

“Remember again that it is the district commission that makes these appointments after the list of candidates has been submitted to them. If the citizens of Houston County are unhappy with who the County Commission selects, they can vote on Election Day to replace that County Commissioner, but I think it would be incorrect and legally incorrect to say that there is no citizen oversight.” – William Nichols, Board Member . said the lawyer.

The district chairman said it’s not just about who is selected; The amendment, which voters passed Nov. 5, also contains qualifications and term limits.

Shoup says the problem now is that the candidates the panel is forced to choose do not have experience in business or health care, and argues that the board is unfair, except for one candidate that excludes women.

“This is about creating a healthcare system that the entire community can trust. Imagine, if you will, a health authority that truly represents the community. Represents each district and is a mix of nurses, doctors and business leaders chosen by those you elect every four years. People who will protect your interests and ensure that taxpayer money is used wisely,” he said.

Whether those relationships improve may be determined by the vote and how the two sides get along afterward.

“I think this will restore trust between the Authority and the Commission. They have this assumption that the Authority and the Commission will always be at odds, but that’s not the case,” Shoup said.

Shupe rejects any accusations that the proposed amendment is a power grab or has any other motive beyond what is best for the public.

As for the current composition of the council, members plan to speak on the amendment sometime this week.

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