George Ford Fills Hospital Board Vacancy
By Ryan Schlehuber

George Ford (right) of Moran Township was elected to the Mackinac Straits Hospital and Health Care Board of Trustees at its meeting Monday, July 30. He replaces Peter Della-Moretta, formerly of St. Ignace, who resigned. Other board members are Chairman Ronald Mitchell (shaking hands with Mr. Ford), Vice Chairman Richard Smith, Secretary Kathy Lawnichak, Treasurer James Farero, Walter North, Pat Serwach, Al Feliksa, Donald McArthur, Fred Paquin, and Margaret Doud.

George Ford of Moran Township was voted onto the 11- member Mackinac Straits Hospital and Health Center board during its meeting Monday, July 30, filling a vacancy left by former board treasurer Peter Della- Moretta, who has moved out of the area.

Trustee James Farero was named the board's new treasurer.

There were six applicants for the vacant position. Running along with Mr. Ford were Reinette Murray of Mackinac Island, Jack Welcher of Rudyard, Joyce Ayres of Cedarville, Mark Elmblad of St. Ignace, and Rob Winkelman of St. Ignace.

Three of the six attended the board meeting and took turns introducing themselves to the board.

Each board member wrote his or her chosen candidate on a piece of paper for secretary Shannon Doran to read aloud. Trustee Fred Paquin was absent from the meeting.

The board held two rounds of voting to come to a majority decision on one candidate, which takes five votes.

The top two candidates who received the most votes in the first round, Mr. Ford (four) and Mr. Winkelman (three), advanced.

In the first round, Mr. Ford received votes from trustees Al Feliksa, Kathy Lawnichak, Mr. Farero, and Pat Serwach, while Mr. Winkelman received votes from Vice Chairman Richard Smith, Mr. Mitchell, and former State Senator Walt North.

Trustees Donald McArthur and Margaret Doud each voted for Mrs. Murray.

In the second round, Mr. Ford received five votes, while Mr. Winkelman received four.

Voting for Mr. Ford were Mr. McArthur, Mr. Farero, Mr. Feliksa, Mrs. Serwach, and Mrs. Lawnichak. Voting for Mr. Winkelman were Mr. North, Ms. Doud, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Smith.

"I'm excited about the new facility," Mr. Ford said during his speech to the board. "I have no medical or hospital background, but I do in business. I have been dedicating my life to serve on boards in Mackinac County."

Mr. Ford's involvement in the Straits area includes being president of Mackinac Animal Aid Association, chairman of the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and secretary of the Mackinac County Democratic Party. He has been an active in Mackinac County MSU Extension programs, the 4-H Club, St. Ignace Lions Club, and Moran Township. He received a Community Spirit Award from the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce this year.

Mr. Ford and his wife, Jo Ann, live near Brevort Lake. He is a retired employee of General Motors in Pontiac.