New Faces on Board of Commissioners

October 11, 2006

In the past few months several changes have occurred in the group of volunteers who act as the governing board of Snohomish County hospital District #3 (DBA Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics.) At the August16 meeting of the Board of Commissioners Ray McClure, Chairman of the Board announced his retirement. His position needed to be filled and a new Chairman selected. At the September 20 Board meeting Steve Peterson (John L. Scott Realty, Arlington) was sworn in and will fulfill the unexpired term. At the same meeting Margo Powell (Cutting Edge, Darrington) was elected Chairman and Tim Cavanaugh, DVM (All Creatures Veterinary, Arlington) was elected Secretary.

Steve Peterson is not new to the governance of Cascade Valley. He served for several years on a Board Advisory Committee, resigning 10 years ago when he was elected to the Arlington School Board. When his two terms on the School Board were over he was invited to join the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation Board. His interest in the needs of CVH grew and when a Commissioner position became open he agreed to fill it.

"I am a third generation Arlington resident, married to another third generation resident," explained Steve. "I have three children and eight grandchildren who all live in the community. I believe it is very important to have an excellent hospital here. The health of future generations depends on our ability to maintain such a resource and guide its growth."

In addition to serving on the School Board, Steve has also been a Kiwanis member for 25 years. He retired from the Arlington Police Department in 1988 and has since worked selling residential and commercial real estate for John L. Scott.

"During the years I was on the School Board they (Arlington School District) went through an extensive building phase," added Steve. "I learned a lot about the process of passing a bond to build public property. I also learned how board members can help in the building process. I hope to share that knowledge with the CVHC Board if, and when, a decision is made to expand the current hospital."

Margo Powell was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1999. She began serving on the Hospital Guild of Darrington soon after moving to that community in 1988.

Through personal experience Margo learned the vital importance to our local communities of continuing the availability of local health care and access to hospital facilities. She also keeps a watchful eye on indicators that assure the hospital and clinics provide quality care

As Secretary of the Board of Commissioners, she assumed the Chairman position upon Ray McClure’s resignation. At the September 20 meting she was formally elected to that position.