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Public testimony and nominations spotlight Community Mental Health board reappointments; some ballots deferred
Summary
Several residents and advocates spoke in support of reappointing current members to the St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) Board. Commissioners nominated candidates for District 2 and at-large positions; board ballots produced some majorities and some tied or plurality results that the board deferred to committee for final action.
During the public-comment period and the nominations portion of the agenda, multiple speakers urged the board to reappoint current Community Mental Health (CMH) board members and described candidacy qualifications.
Dawn Davey, who identified herself as a board member for The Arc of St. Clair County and a Community Mental Health board member representing District 7, read letters of support for incumbents and highlighted lived experience and long-term advocacy as reasons to retain current members. Rosella Marabelli, an at-large CMH board member, summarized her service history and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and urged reappointment.
Vicky Blackburn, speaking as an informed citizen and meeting attendee, said continuity was important and noted the applicants’ service, training and committee participation. ‘‘If there’s no reason for them not to stay in their seats, then I support her wholeheartedly in having them stay,’’ Blackburn said, naming Laurie Ames, Anthony Essien, Rosella Mirabelli and Martha Perdapillo as incumbents she supported.
The board nominated Martha Partapillo and David Hoffman for District 2 representative, and nominated a slate of candidates for three at-large positions with three-year terms expiring March 31, 2028. During ballots the board selected Martha Partapillo by majority vote for District 2; subsequent at-large ballots produced divided results with several candidates receiving three votes and no candidate reaching a four-vote majority. The commissioners discussed whether to revote immediately or defer final selection to the April committee meeting when an absent commissioner could participate; the board decided to carry the item to committee for final action.
Why it matters: CMH board composition affects oversight of county mental-health programming and recipient-rights advocacy for people with serious mental illness and developmental disabilities.
What’s next: the board will reconvene the appointment decision at committee and expects to finalize the remaining at-large appointments at the next full board or committee meeting when all members can participate.
