The Mayors of Kincardine and Huron-Kinloss have shared the concerns of residents and the Friends of the Kincardine Hospital with the South Bruce-Grey Health Centre Board.
Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer says the heart of the subject is improving how the board communicates with the public and looking at the possibility of municipal influence over representation on the board.
Kraemer also says there is concern among the community that too much gets discussed behind closed doors.
Huron-Kinloss Mayor Mitch Twolan says public trust is a big factor.
Kraemer says one of the main concerns is that Board Chair Dan Gieruszak is also a municipal councillor in Brockton but Kincardine was unable to secure council representation on the board back in 2003.
He was not appointed to the board because he is a council member, he simply applied like anyone else.
Gieruszak says he sits on many boards and committees and when you do that, you learn to keep your obligation to that committee when decisions are being made.
He adds that South-Bruce-Grey is planning to establish advisory committees in its various communities and municipalities could definitely have a role in that.
Mayor Kraemer believes there is a willingness to take a look at board governance and thinks the discussion shows some promise.
He thinks the advisory committees could help.
Mayor Twolan says he is willing to let the process run its course and give the advisory group idea a chance.
The Friends of Kincardine Hospital want to hire a consultant to take a look at how the board is set up.
When it comes to possible governance changes, CEO Paul Davies says the board should seek advice from its lawyers and the Ontario Hospital Association, and poll other municipalities to see if they’re interested.
Board Member David Khan is not convinced changing the makeup of the board will solve the problems and wants to be sure the real problems are addressed.
He says any good solution is found when people sit down and find the root cause and then decide how to address it.
No members of the Friends of Kincardine Hospital attended the public meeting.
Mayor Kraemer says Co-Chair Ian Mitchell was planning to attend, but did not arrive.
Kincardine Deputy Mayor Laura Haight also attended the meeting in an unofficial capacity.
However, she did tell the board that being more open with its discussions and decisions would actually improve public trust and allow for more input.