Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-03-03
BY
HEALTH BOARD
TO CRITICISMS
Press Committee Issues
Statement Today Setting
Forth Answers to Public
STAND OF THE BOARD
Is CLEARLY OUTLINED
Specify Reasons for Not Re-
appointing MikaIajczk and
His Subsequent Discharge.

The Press committee of the Board
of Health made a statement to the
EVENING NEWS today explaining
their action in appointing William j.
Willsey as health officer and Louis
Smith as food inspector. The COM
mittee also answers the criticism
about their action in discharging An
ton j. Mikalajczak, former food in
spector whom they claim was insub-
ordinate and worked without tact
Following is the statement of the
press:
Statement In Full.
There has been considerable misap-
prehension in the public minds as to
the appointments of the Board of
Health and particularly to the non
reappointment and to the discharge
of Mr.. Mlkalaj jczak.
It has been the aim of the board
to increase the efficiency Of Its work
and serve the public as thoroughly
as possible with the means at its dis
posal. In addition to the usual san
itary inspections the Board has given
particular attention to the question
OF the City's food supply. This has
included thorough supervision of
bakeries, dairies, groceries, butcher
shops, and all places where foods are
prepared sold or offered for sale. both
in regard to the sanitary conditions
and to the character OF the products
sold.
1t soon became evident that an
Health Officer who should devote his
entire time to the Board of Health
was necessity due to the growth Of
the city. The law requires that
the Health officer shall have passed
the examinations given by the State.
Three persons in this city were eligi-
Bile, Drs. Lund, Fithian and Mr.. Will
sey, The requirement that the
Health Officer devote his entire time
to his duties eliminated DR.. Lund and
DR.. Fithian for whom this was not
possible, since their time was taken
up by their extensive practice.
The board has been indeed fortu-
nate in securing the services of so
competent and experienced man as
Mr.. Wiilsey former inspector of this
State and highly recommended by the
authorities at Trenton.
Mr.. Mikalajczak was not reelected
for the following reasons: he lacked
tact and judgement In his v ork and
was unable to approach and deal
with people In satisfactory manner
without causing the Board unneces-
sary trouble and annoyance. further
more he was unable to carry out in
structions. AS soon as Mr. Mikala-
jczak realized that he was not reap
pointed he at once disregarded the
Board of Health and assumed its
powers and responsibilities. He left
undone the work assigned him and
followed his own whim giving yar-
ious reports to the press and making
none to the Board Of Health. With
out authority he endeavored to have
analysis made and proceeded to Tren-
ton on his own initiative without in
forming the Board.
He was thereupon summoned be-
fore the Board and asked to explain
his actions. In answering the ques-
tfons asked him he was very defiant
and informed the Board that he had
acted entirely on his own initiative
and authority without regard for his
superiors who were responsible for
his actions. He also accused the
Board of not acting on complaints
brought before them but was unable
to substantiate his statements. He
was therefore summarily discharged
on the ground that he was insubor-
dinate. and that he had exceeded his
authority that he was antagonistic to
the Board Of Health and had dis
obeyed explicit instructions.
In regard to the question Of Pre-
servaline it seems rather peculiar
that in Mr.. Mikalajczak' inspections
Of five months duration he never in
that time brought this matter to the
attention of the Board.
In conclusion the Board of Health
invites the Public to attend its meet
ings and will be pleased to answer
any questions or to give any fnforma-
tion as asked.
BOARD OF HEALTH.