Trios Health board to interview 12 candidates for open seat

The Kennewick Public Hospital District board will hold special meetings this week and next to interview 12 candidates for the open board seat.

The first six interviews, scheduled for 25 minutes each, are June 23. The remaining six candidates will be interviewed on June 29.

Both special sessions start at 5 p.m. at the Trios Care Center at Southridge, 3730 Plaza Way, Kennewick.

The seven-member board oversees the Trios Health system, which includes two hospitals and a network of clinics and services.

The board has an open seat following the death of longtime member Kathy Davidson, who passed away unexpectedly at home on May 14.

The 12 people who’ve applied for the seat are Steve Blodgett, William “Bill” McKay, Victor V. Johnson, Darren Szendre, George Cicotte, Cedro Rodriguez, Dale Cap, Leonard Dreisbach, Harold Aubert, Jeff Groce, Gary Long and Monika Moo-Young.

Marv Kinney, board president, said he was surprised by the number of candidates.

The board is divided over issues including finances, but Kinney said he’s optimistic that he and his board colleagues will be able to agree on a new member.

By law, the board has 90 days to fill the vacancy. If it can’t settle on a new member, the task falls to Benton County commissioners.

Davidson first was elected to the Trios Board in 2005 and had about 1 1/2 years left on her most recent six-year term.

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 6:36 PM with the headline "Trios Health board to interview 12 candidates for open seat."