Residents, colleagues defend Harvey County health staff after quarantine dispute

More than a dozen residents and former county officials urged the Harvey County Board of Commissioners on March 11 to retain and support Harvey County Health Department staff after public criticism of a quarantine decision involving a likely chickenpox exposure.

Speakers told the board the health department followed established procedures, that staff made difficult public-health choices during the COVID-19 pandemic and that Director Lynette Reddington and medical staff such as Toby Harkins have been valuable to the county.

Public speakers described specific health risks and the county’s response: Alice Janssen, R.N., and others warned that varicella during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects or fatal neonatal infection; John Waltner, a former Harvey County administrator, said the department consulted a medical doctor (identified in public comments as Dr. Detweiler) and followed prescribed procedures. Multiple speakers said Reddington led successful grant and prevention programs that brought state and federal funding into the county.

Multiple residents recounted personal experiences with the health department. Penny Dorado and others said they reviewed statewide directories and local records and found Reddington’s experience and grant track record strong; Laurie Kessler and others cited grant-funded programs and millions in outside funding. Emily Judd and others described mentorship and local projects supported by the department.

Commission discussion and public remarks Commissioners allowed an extended public-comment period and then addressed the item. One commissioner publicly stated “unwavering support” for Lynette Reddington, Toby Harkins and Dr. Detweiler and thanked department staff for following procedures. The county counselor told the board he would prepare a written opinion on legal questions raised during public comment.

Why it matters The comments came amid community concern about how the health department enforces communicable-disease rules and communicates with affected families. Several speakers framed the dispute as a personnel and procedural issue but said they believed the department had followed clinical and statutory guidance. The board did not take disciplinary action on the record; instead commissioners and the county counselor signaled additional review and legal counsel.

What the record shows Speakers repeatedly praised the health department’s past grants and programs, including a Drug-Free Communities grant and local prevention initiatives, and said those contributions had tangible community benefits. Medical risk claims (for example, gestational varicella risks and neonatal varicella mortality) were presented by residents and health professionals during public comment and are attributed to those speakers.

Next steps The county counselor said he would deliver a written legal opinion about the zoning/authority questions and any legal issues raised; commissioners closed public comment and moved on to the rest of the agenda.