Five community members have filed self-nomination papers to serve on the Estes Park Health Board of Directors. Two seats are open for election.
Current chair David Batey is term limited and cannot run for election again, and board member Drew Webb announced his decision not to seek office again.
Throwing their hats in the ring so far for the May 6 election are Tim Cashman, Tom Leigh, Max Salfinger, Ralph Strickland, and Janet Zeschin.
Sarah Shepherd, president of Circuit Rider, the company managing election operations for Park Hospital District, which operates as Estes Park Health, made the announcement during the EPH board of directors meeting Wednesday night.
Shepherd also announced that one additional self-nomination form had been requested but had not yet been returned.
Self-nomination forms are due by 5 p.m. today for a candidate’s name to be printed on the ballot. Late-deciders have until 5 p.m. Monday, March 3 to become a write-in candidate by filing a separate application form with Circuit Rider. If that form is filed, any write-in vote for the individual will be counted.
Once all deadlines have passed, an invitation to candidates will be issued to attend a lottery for positions on the ballot. Official voter lists have been ordered from the county so notices and mail-out ballots can be issued in the coming weeks.
Qualified electors include people who both live in the district and are registered to vote, and those who live outside of the district and are registered Colorado voters who own property in the district.
The EPH board has been the recipient of criticism over the past two years due to financial problems at the hospital, complaints of a toxic work environment by current and former employees, and transparency issues related to the way the board has handled communications with the taxpayers of the Park Hospital District related to a pending merger with UC Health, including holding more than 200 secret, executive session meetings over the past two years.
In October, the EPH board announced its CEO had signed a letter of intent with UC Health to enter into negotiations aimed at a merger or acquisition. Despite CORA requests, the EPH board has refused to release the LOI claiming it is confidential and privileged.
I had this forwarded to me and read with interest. I have worked with Dr Tom Leigh and with Janet Zeschin RN along with Bridget who was director of radiology while I worked in Estes. They could be such a great board. They know the community, have unique skills and understand the pragmatics of medicine and genuinely care about the people of Estes. Seems hopeful that the “page” can be turned and that the clinic & hospital could provide high quality & comprehensive care for the Estes Valley. Praying that good things happen.