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Council reappoints James Michael Bowers to Lincoln‑Lancaster County Board of Health amid public protest over investment ties
Summary
The council voted 6‑1 to reappoint Councilman James Michael Bowers to the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Board of Health for a term ending July 23, 2028. A public commenter criticized city financial relationships with national companies and urged the council to reject the reappointment; council supporters cited Bowers’ experience and integrity.
The Lincoln City Council reappointed Councilman James Michael Bowers July 14 to the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Board of Health for a three‑year term ending July 23, 2028. The roll call vote recorded in the transcript was 6‑1 in favor.
Carrie Kernan, health director for the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department, reviewed the statutory composition of the board (one physician, one dentist, one city council representative, one county commissioner and several public‑spirited citizens) and spoke in support of Bowers’ reappointment, noting his tenure on the Board of Health since June 2015 and contributions toward the department’s national public‑health accreditation and community health‑improvement planning.
During public comment, Anastasia Fenner objected to the reappointment and to the city’s financial relationships with national banks and companies. Fenner said the city’s passive use of city funds in institutions allegedly connected to foreign military procurement constituted participation in “genocide” and described her opposition to Bowers’ reappointment as a contradiction with public‑health duties.
Council discussion included expressions of support and a single dissent. One councilmember called Bowers “a man with exceptional integrity” and an effective advocate for constituents in northeast Lincoln. Councilman Doudin said he was conflicted about a council member serving as president of an advisory board and said he would vote against reappointment on conflict‑of‑interest grounds; the roll call shows Doudin voted “no.” The clerk recorded the final vote as 6 in favor and 1 opposed.
Kernan explained that the Board of Health president and vice‑president are selected by board members every other odd year and that the president runs meetings, approves agendas and receives departmental briefings when significant issues arise.
The transcript includes Kernan’s statement in support, the public comment by Fenner and recorded council debate and vote.
