Clay County Officials Meet w/Prospective Hospital Purchasers

Clay County board members held a one-hour closed session during this week's meeting with officials of Sisters of St. Mary's on a possible acquisition of Clay County Hospital.

Sisters of St. Mary's already operates several hospitals including ones in Mt. Vernon and Centralia, and the Order is interested in purchasing the Flora-based hospital.  Clay County Hospital is one of the few remaining county-owned hospitals in the region.

Clay Board members heard from Judges Ericka Sanders and Robin Todd about Drug Court, which is now operating in Clay County.  Drug Court gives those arrested on drug charges the option to pursue treatment and testing rather than incarceration.  The program began in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Effingham County and has expanded to Clay and a couple of other Fourth Circuit counties.  There are four individuals from Clay County now participating in Drug Court.

There was discussion of negotiations with Clay County sheriff's deputies on a new contract, but part of the process was getting new Sheriff Andy Myers up to speed on the status of the contract talks.

Also this week, the Clay Board appointed Phillip Henson to the Airport Authority for a five-year term, and appointed Myers and Flora Police Chief John Nicholson to terms on the Clay County 911 Board.