County board explores options for health director

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St. Clair County Commissioners are continuing to discuss the future of the position of Medical Health Officer and contract of Dr. Annette Mercatante. This follows the latest public pushback regarding the county’s public school mask mandate. Commissioner Jorja Bladwin, speaking to our Paul Miller Friday, says a committee has been formed to look at Dr. Annette Mercatante’s contract with the county which is up for renewal in June.

“Should all of this responsibility fall on just one person?” asked Baldwin, referencing Mercatante’s dual role as both health officer and administrator. “I think now is the time to look into that. As far as termination goes, I can’t see anything that Dr. Mercatante has done that’s so egregious that she should lose her job.”

Baldwin says there has been a lack of communication at times between the health department and the Board of Commissioners and that it is something the contract committee is looking to address .She adds decisions about school masking may be better left up to individual school districts rather than the health department.

January 21 Jorja Baldwin