Resolution to Lease Mineral Rights in North Dakota
On February 4, 2015 the Jefferson Healthcare board of commissioners voted on a resolution to allow a company to drill for oil on a property whose mineral rights are owned by the hospital in North Dakota. The vote passed 4-0 with myself abstaining from the final vote. I abstained on the final vote because when the vote was called I was still uncertain about the decision. I recognize both some positive and negative aspects of this action and I would have liked more time and information before voting. In retrospect, I wish I had urged the board to create more opportunity for public comment and discourse on this decision before it came to a vote as I think that would have been greatly beneficial to the process.