ANTRIM COUNTY — Antrim County will have a new representative on the Northwest Michigan Board of Health's Health Department in 2024.
After the Jan. 18 meeting, Commissioner Jarice Rubin, who had served on the Board of Health for two years, was replaced by one of the county's two representatives on the Board of Health. He most recently served as vice chair of the board.
Dawn Labanway is the other Antrim County Commissioner for Health.
At the beginning of each year, members decide on board and committee appointments for the coming year. Mr. Rubin's removal was part of a series of changes recommended by Chairman Terry VanAlstyne, who suggested he replace him on the board.
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Rubin, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, expressed disappointment at being removed from the board during Thursday's meeting.
“You removed me from the health department,” Mr. Rubin said to VanAlstyne. “Is there a reason you’re doing what the Democrats want?”
Van Alstyne responded that he believed this position was apolitical, adding, “And I don't think you're considering the will of the county. “It wasn't so much a political statement as it was a failure to consider the will of the county.” That's what we have to do to take it away from the health department. ”
Many of Rubin's actions on the health committee were based on what was described as government overreach, in response to the then-issued mask mandate in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. It stemmed from an ideological tug-of-war that began for the first time. -Health Officer Lisa Peacock.
The appointment recommendation was approved 4-1 by the Antrim County Commission, with Rubin voting no.
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Rubin said he felt the Department of Health had improved during his time on the board, telling Van Alstyne: chairman. But I think the health department is in much better shape today than it was when I was deployed. ”
Van Alstyne did not elaborate on why he would not reappoint Rubin to the Board of Health, but said, “I want to let the health department employees do their jobs.”
“That's the point,” he said. “There was a lot of drama that didn't need to be there.”
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The Northwest Michigan Health Department Board of Health is comprised of two county commissioners from each county in the region, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmett and Otsego counties.
Board of Health Chairman and Charlevoix County Commissioner Scott Hankins said the appointment of commissioners is up to individual counties.
“Each of the four counties will have the opportunity to elect their own representatives on the Board of Health,” he said. “We will work with commissioners from any of the four counties appointed to represent the people.”
VanAlstine will be sworn in as a member of the Board of Health in February.
— Reporter Annie Doyle (231) 675-0099 oradoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
