Another county commission just voted on Ada’s contentious choice for health board
All three Boise County commissioners voted in favor of Dr. Ryan Cole’s appointment to Idaho’s Central District Health Board of Health on Tuesday, leaving the Garden City pathologist in need of just one vote to secure his position on the board.
Multiple commissioners confirmed the vote total to the Idaho Statesman after the meeting was over. Commissioner Ryan Stirm said in a phone interview that he was impressed by Cole’s extensive resume and thought the Central Health District needed a medical expert on its board.
Ada County commissioners first appointed Cole by a 2-1 vote on Aug. 17. At least a majority of the nine commissioners in the district’s other three counties — Elmore, Boise and Valley — need to ratify the vote for Cole to secure the position.
Two Valley County commissioners voted on Monday against appointing Cole, saying local doctors had advised them against it. Cole has come under fire for controversial and sometimes false statements made about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Elmore County commissioners decided to delay their vote so they could interview Cole in-person on Sept. 3. Cole needs only one vote from the three-person commission to secure enough votes.
This story was originally published August 24, 2021 at 2:24 PM.
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