The Oak Harbor School Board and Whidbey Island Public Hospital District are both searching for volunteers to fill open seats.
Despite calls for applications, not a single person has stepped forward to fill the seat left open after hospital board president Anne Tarrant stepped down last month.
Tarrant’s term runs through 2017.
“I have faith there is someone who is willing to serve,” said Ron Wallin, the newly elected hosptal board president. “We’ve tried every avenue to reach out to the community.”
So far, that’s meant newspaper stories, a mention on the hospital’s website and board members asking people they knew for recommendations, Wallin said.
Applicants must be a registered voter and live within District 5, roughly northeast Whidbey Island.
The district stretches south from the Deception Pass Bridge to the intersection of Crescent Harbor Road and Regatta Drive in Oak Harbor.
The board oversees policies and organization of WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and its other clinics and services. Right now is a particularly busy time for the hospital, as workers build a new $50-million wing.
The hospital, formerly known as Whidbey General, also implemented a new name recently.
The applicants must be able to commit to at least two committee meetings a month and attend board meetings held monthly at 7 a.m. Ideally, candidates would be familiar with the hospital and health care, Wallin said.
The commissioners will interview candidates in public and select a replacement. This appointment is effective only until the next regular election for public hospital commissioners, which will take place in November 2017.
To learn more, including a detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of board members, contact Ron Wallin, District secretary and District 3 Commissioner, email to wghdistrict3@whidbeygen.org
The Oak Harbor School Board also is accepting applications to fill the seat left vacant by the departure of Gary Wallin, Ron Wallin’s brother. That position also would continue through the election in November 2017.
The ideal candidate has a passion for kids and education, is active in schools and the community and commit the time.
Interested candidates must fill out an application form by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Applications are available on the district website.
Completed applications can be delivered to the Administrative Service Center, 350 S. Oak Harbor St.,attention Colleen Hamblin, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, or emailed to chamblin@ohsd.net or faxed to 360-279-5025. Selected applicants will interview with the board during a public meeting to be held in late August or early September. Contact Hamblin at 360-279-5010 with questions about the application process.
