Interested in local health policy? The Beach Cities Health District Board of Directors is inviting local community members to submit applications for an open seat on the board.

 

Residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach are eligible to apply for the vacancy. The board will appoint a representative during a special meeting slated for June 13. Per BCHD policy, the appointee will serve as the fifth member of the governing body only until the upcoming local election cycle on November 8, 2018.

 

The opening on the board was created by the recent resignation of Lenore Bloss, who was elected to the board in November 2016 to a four-year term after initially being appointed in 2015. Bloss stepped down last month due to health issues.

 

BCHD Board President Michelle Bholat, M.D., said that holding a special election was seriously considered but the high cost - roughly $300,000 - ultimately tipped the scales in favor of a short-term appointment.

 

"As an organization we believe in and value due process, however, we couldn't justify spending more than a quarter-million taxpayer dollars to hold a special election when there is a local election cycle coming up in 2018," said Dr. Bholat. "It makes more sense to invest that money in community health programming and, instead, appoint a qualified Beach Cities resident to serve an abbreviated 18-month term."

 

To qualify for the position, applicants need to be registered California voters and residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach. Each candidate must submit a current resume or curriculum vitae as well as the completed BCHD committee application by no later than 12:00 p.m. on June 8.

 

"We really value diversity and inclusiveness as an organization, so the selection will reflect those principles," added Dr. Bholat. "The ideal applicant should have deep roots in our community as well as a demonstrated commitment to improving health and representing public interests with integrity. My colleagues and I encourage all interested residents to apply."

 

BCHD's five-person board is responsible for guiding its public health objectives, community programming and finances. Board members serve on BCHD's public committees, including the properties, strategic planning, policy, finance and community health committees.

 

Public board meetings are held at BCHD on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

 

The application is available online at www.bchd.org/vacancy or by calling BCHD at (310) 374-3426.