Some Advisory Committee Members Unqualified, Chair Says

The chair of Alameda County's Public Health Advisory Committee on Tuesday said the committee should choose its own members, who would then be approved by county supervisors, because some of the committee members "are fairly clueless" about the health issues facing the county, the Oakland Tribune reports.

Currently, the Board of Supervisors selects members for different county advisory committees. However, pubic health committee Chair Steve Sidney said that only 14 of the committee's 21 members have been active participants in monthly meetings this year. In addition, Sidney said some participating members have little knowledge about public health issues in the county.

Sidney proposed selecting half of the committee's members based on specific expertise or advocacy skills.

Some supervisors criticized Sidney's proposals, saying they believe appointees are qualified to hold the positions (Marcucci, Oakland Tribune, 7/12).