Some five months ago the Board of Directors and Administration of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department were informed by both the City of Charleston and the Kanawha County Commission, that certain developers were interested in purchasing the property at 108 Lee Street East where the Department's administrative offices and main clinics are now located, to build what was described as a "high-end" hotel.

Both the City and the County were understandably interested in the tax revenues and increased tourism business such a development might bring and the board was asked to consider moving to another location to make the property available. We were told that the property should sell for about $3 million, which would be given to the Board of Health, to purchase another site for offices and clinics.

At its next regular meeting following this announcement, the Board instructed Dr. Kerry Gateley to pursue the search for another site and if needed, to retain the services of a consultant to assist the Department's staff in selecting an appropriate location. In the ensuing months, Board members -- notably, Dr. Steven A. Artz, the Board's President, the Department's Medical Director Dr. Gateley and the consultant -- have looked at literally dozens of prospective alternative locations. The search has been made with certain, very definite requirements in mind, such as proximity to public transportation, on-site parking, and most crucial, a building configuration that will accommodate the medical needs of the approximately 10,000 persons who visit our clinic each year.

In addition, it quickly became apparent that a new modern clinic facility and the required office space could not be obtained for the money the sale of the Lee Street site was expected to generate. Consequently, the Department has applied for a grant through Rep. Shelley Capito, to cover the estimated $3 million additional cost, a replacement facility is expected to require.

Notwithstanding this level of activity, the Board in general and Dr. Artz in particular, have come under attack by Mayor Jones for "dragging their feet" and "not being willing to move." In addition, Kent Carper, President of the Kanawha County Commission, has echoed Mayor Jones' criticisms that the Board is doing nothing to facilitate its move.

To alleviate this misconception, the Department recently forwarded to both the City Manager and the County Manager a complete report on the several properties that were considered as potential sites. In response to this information indisputably showing that he was mistaken in his belief about the Department's efforts, Mayor Jones has asked the city council to reduce the City's annual allocation of $200,000 to the Department by $100,000. Apparently this is intended to punish the Board for its presumed recalcitrance in failing to vacate its premises, find a new site, prepare a new building, and transfer all of its functions in about five months. Hopefully, the council will reject this request and point out to the Mayor that depriving the citizens of Charleston and Kanawha County of $100,000 worth of health care is hardly a demonstration of responsible government.

The Department and the Board will continue to seek an appropriate new location and funding, and will relocate as soon as it is possible to do so. In the meantime, the Department and the Board will also continue its primary duty of providing the citizens of Charleston and Kanawha County with the high-quality public health care to which they have become accustomed.

Artz and Isaac are members of the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health. This commentary was also endorsed by Health Board members Dr. Arthur B. Rubin, Shannon Snodgrass, James Strawn and Stephen A. Weber.

Both the City and the County were understandably interested in the tax revenues and increased tourism business such a development might bring and the board was asked to consider moving to another location to make the property available. We were told that the property should sell for about $3 million, which would be given to the Board of Health, to purchase another site for offices and clinics.

At its next regular meeting following this announcement, the Board instructed Dr. Kerry Gateley to pursue the search for another site and if needed, to retain the services of a consultant to assist the Department's staff in selecting an appropriate location. In the ensuing months, Board members -- notably, Dr. Steven A. Artz, the Board's President, the Department's Medical Director Dr. Gateley and the consultant -- have looked at literally dozens of prospective alternative locations. The search has been made with certain, very definite requirements in mind, such as proximity to public transportation, on-site parking, and most crucial, a building configuration that will accommodate the medical needs of the approximately 10,000 persons who visit our clinic each year.

In addition, it quickly became apparent that a new modern clinic facility and the required office space could not be obtained for the money the sale of the Lee Street site was expected to generate. Consequently, the Department has applied for a grant through Rep. Shelley Capito, to cover the estimated $3 million additional cost, a replacement facility is expected to require.

Notwithstanding this level of activity, the Board in general and Dr. Artz in particular, have come under attack by Mayor Jones for "dragging their feet" and "not being willing to move." In addition, Kent Carper, President of the Kanawha County Commission, has echoed Mayor Jones' criticisms that the Board is doing nothing to facilitate its move.

To alleviate this misconception, the Department recently forwarded to both the City Manager and the County Manager a complete report on the several properties that were considered as potential sites. In response to this information indisputably showing that he was mistaken in his belief about the Department's efforts, Mayor Jones has asked the city council to reduce the City's annual allocation of $200,000 to the Department by $100,000. Apparently this is intended to punish the Board for its presumed recalcitrance in failing to vacate its premises, find a new site, prepare a new building, and transfer all of its functions in about five months. Hopefully, the council will reject this request and point out to the Mayor that depriving the citizens of Charleston and Kanawha County of $100,000 worth of health care is hardly a demonstration of responsible government.

The Department and the Board will continue to seek an appropriate new location and funding, and will relocate as soon as it is possible to do so. In the meantime, the Department and the Board will also continue its primary duty of providing the citizens of Charleston and Kanawha County with the high-quality public health care to which they have become accustomed.

Artz and Isaac are members of the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health. This commentary was also endorsed by Health Board members Dr. Arthur B. Rubin, Shannon Snodgrass, James Strawn and Stephen A. Weber.