Marion County board adopts National Volunteer Week proclamation, appoints health advisory board members

The Marion County Board of Commissioners on March 27 read a proclamation designating April 7–13, 2019 as National Volunteer Appreciation Week and approved several personnel actions for the county's Health Advisory Board.

Lisa Miller presented the proclamation, noting Marion County had more than 1,700 active volunteers in 2018 and that volunteer time nationally is estimated to be worth over $3 million. The proclamation highlighted volunteer contributions including victim assistance services that helped about 2,000 victims, 759 dogs reunited through the dog shelter and 160 volunteers who assisted response efforts during a water advisory. Commissioners thanked volunteers and read the proclamation aloud.

Cary Moller and Lisa Miller presented a proposed appointment for Cyndi Leinassar to the Marion County Health Advisory Board, with a term ending Jan. 31, 2023. Moller said the advisory board provides community perspective on behavioral health, developmental disability and public health services. Ms. Leinassar described 23 years in the nonprofit sector, experience supervising a drug prevention network for 10 years and prior service on the Children's and Families Commission. The board approved her appointment by unanimous voice vote.

The board also approved a reappointment of Michael Mann to the Health Advisory Board through Jan. 31, 2023. Moller said Mr. Mann serves as vice-chair; Mr. Mann described living with a diagnosed mental illness and said service on the advisory board had shown him the county's commitment to care. The commissioners commended both appointees and approved the orders unanimously.

Earlier consent actions also included appointing Teresa Hermann as a voting management representative to the Health Insurance Study Committee and approving an easement agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for property at 280 Pine Street NE, Salem.