Evening star., 1948-10-08
Health UnitHit
AsLoose|yRun
In Alexandra
State Survey Cites
Lack Of Planning, Asks
Adequate Supervision
By Mon Lou Werner


The Alexandria Health Depart
ment was pictured as loosely
administered" inefficient agency by
State Health Department officials
In a report released today.
The criticism was contained in a
report Of State officials who surveyed
the Alexandria health situation at
the request Of the City Council.
The report has been in the hands
Of councilmen about a week. The
health officer, DR.. w. Lewis Schafer,
resigned Monday due to what he
said was differences of opinion"
with other city officials. His de-
partment had been under fire for
some time by members of the Coun-
Gil. He said the health report was
not discussed at the time he eub-
mitted his resignation.
Lack of Records Criticized.
The State investigators reported
that their general impression was
that the department was rather
loosely administered, and that by
adequate supervision more effective
work might be secured"
The investigators charged that
reasonable Office hours on the part
of the health officer which are neces-
sary to the administration of q de-
partment OF this size, were not
adhered to-"
The report also criticizes the lack
OF sick leave and absentee records.
There is no evidence of the exist
ence of long-term planning for the
improvement of the existing activ-
tiles or the Inauguration of a new
program" the report states.
The surveyors said apparently the
health officer lis not exercising
planned, aggressive leadership inso-
far as his department is concerned"
No Changes Since 1889.
There have been no noticeable
changes in the departments policies
and procedures since 1889 when it
was last surveyed by the State, the
report says. The surveyors also
criticized the lack of a public rela-
tions program, leadership assistance
for lay health groups and the dele
CATION of duties Ito persons not
qualified to assure best results
Dealing with individual programs
in the health department, the report
termed the maternal and child
health activities eedingly
limited" and said the development
of well baby clinics demands con-
alteration"
Plumbing regulations were OBJ
served to be lax in the poor resi-
Dental sections" and Alexandria
was found to have "a large popula-
ito nof rats, particularly in the older
section of the city"
The existence of privies where
sever traps are available was
severely criticized. The privies in
spected were found to be infested
with flies
The report suggested that plumb
ing regulations be more rigidly
enforced.
The report also mentioned ex-l
lstence of an open sewer which
flowed into playground area at.
the Cameron Valley housing de-
velopn.ent. Although steps have
been taken to correct the situation,
it was this condition that first
brought DR.. Shafer under fire in
August. He was asked to explain
why the ope nsewer had been per-
mltted to exist for nearly two wears
after 1t had been reported to the
Health Department. DR.. Shafer
said the matter did not come to his
attention.
The report said there were no
records that schools we're receiving
sanitary supervision. no evidence of
adequate supervision of sanitation
personnel and no staff conferences.
All criticism, however, was not
leveled at DR.. Shafer. The survey
ors said the budget of the Health
Department lis definitely lower"
than the expenditures recognized
to be necessary for adequate public
health service"
Staff Given Special Tasks.
The report said there Is little
doubt that the city manager as we'll
as members of the council contact
subordinate members of the Health
Department staff, giving these per-
sonnel special assignments or direc-
tions."
The health officer, the surveyors
reported, apparently felt he was
handicapped ny not having complete
administrative control of his per-
sdnnel and programs.
In several instances the surveyors
praised specific efforts of the de-
partment. They reported that the,
departments overall activities ARE
consistent with public health poll
cies," and said the venereal disease
program Is one of the finest in the
State.
The report said the city sis for
tunate In having adequate housing
facilities for the Health Depart
ment' and the cooperation of the
city manager, health oficer and
other oflcials conducting the survey
was praised.
The supervisor of nurses, Miss
Mary Carne, who has been acting
as head of the department since
Dr. Schafer's resignation, was
Praised by the surveyors.
iCity Manager Nicholas Colasanto
said ne had interviewed only one
applicant for DR.. Shafer's job to
date. but had reached no decision
as to the successor.
Million in Bonds 10 Be Sold
D., E.Ile fkuv.k n.1.L>.1E