Evening star., 1956-03-28
Board Abolition
Suggested in
Health Dispute
McGoueh Criticized
At Meeting Of
AIexundriu Council

dria Health Board was suggested
last night as the result of a row
over the closing of some services
of the City Health Department.
The recommendation was
made by City Manager Ira F.
Willard to City Council after
several councilmen criticized DR..
Thomas F. McGough. city health
officer. for releasing information
to the press about the closing be-
fore telling the council.
Mr.. Willard said the release
followed health board meeting
last week at which DR.. McGough
said the health department.
could not continue all its services
because of insufficient personnel.
The city manager said the
health board is performing leg
islative and executive functions
which it should rot have.
Specified Closings
DR.. McGough said the depart
ment is discontinuing its immu.
nization clinics. venereal disease
clinic and weight control con-
ferences.
F.. Clinton Knight. the most
slender member of the council.
commented that he read where
the health department had a
clinic for "fat people who want
to get thin" He said he didn't
think "the taxpayers should
have to pay for that"
Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim
sharply criticized Dr. McGough
for not informing City Council
of the departments situation
through the city manager. IF
the department heads are going
ito be allowed to carry issues to
the public via the press before
they go to City Council, serious
or drastic action will be re-
Iquired.' he said.
Councilman Joseph Pancoast
said he thought DR.. McGough
was trying to pressure the
council into approving more
funds for his department.
Thought of Resignation
ct first thought I would call
for DR.. McGough's resignation.
but on reflection I changed my
mind" Mr.. Pancoast said.
II don't understand how any
Executive head can suspend any
service without consent of the
city manager or City Council"
Mr.. Knight said.
| Mr.. Willard said DR.. McGough
told him the clinics closed were
those being held on Saturdays
For after hours. "The regular
work of the department will con-
tinue," he said.
Councilman James NJ. Duncan,
| jr.. said the council shouldn't
discuss the situation without DR..
McGough present Ito defend
himself"
The issue was dropped after
Mr.. Willard said he would carry
the feelings of the council to
the Health Board at the boards
next meeting.
The board is made up of two
physicians, the Mayor. two
Icouncilmen, the city attorney
and the city manager. A recent
government survey recommended
that the Health Board be re-
Ilieved of administrative powers,
that it retain its quasi-legisla-
tive and quasi-judicial functions,
and that the membership be
changed to eliminate the elec-
tive officials.
Would Guard Budgets
In another matter regarding
release of information to the
press. Councilman John Ticer
suggested that budgets and SIM
liar documents be handled as
security documents" are in the
Federal Government.
He said the $8.6 million budget
proposed for 1867 was released
without consent of the council
last week. Il think we should
send out receipt forms with all
such documents distributed Just
as the Government does secur-
ity information" he said.
Mr.. Willard and Mayor Bend
helm told Councilman Ticer that
the budget was released with the
consent of four of the seven
councilmen.
Budgets are public documents
and the citizens have a right to
them" Mr.. Bendheim said.
Solicitor Curb Rejected
In another action. the coun-
ell turned down a proposed ordi-
nance to require the registra-
tion of door, r-to-door solicitors.
The proposed ordinance was