New member elected to Gritman's directors

Gritman Medical Center added a new member to its 10-member board of directors Wednesday night at the hospital's annual meeting but not without some contention.

Steve Busch will replace incumbent Greg Mann while the general board members - and board of directors also voted to retain board members Dick Heimsch, Janie Nirk and Barbara Wells.

Sharon Harris, a general board member from Kendrick, moved to retain the current board of directors, which included Mann, but the motion failed after a vote.

Harris questioned why other general board members - a much larger group than the board of directors - were bypassed in favor of Busch for one of the four open board of director positions. She said traditionally a new director comes from the general board membership who has experience and knows Gritman well.

B.J. Swanson, a director and former board chair, said she was also concerned because she said she knew Mann hoped to remain on the board.

"Greg Mann is a certified public accountant, and he brought that skill to the board," Swanson said. "Now he's being replaced with Steve Busch, and I asked for what attributes and skills Steve Busch is bringing to the board, and I don't know what that is, but I think we need to be very aware to use our general members . Our bylaws suggest that a general member be chosen for the board. And probably it means more than just five minutes spending time on the general membership."

Greg Kimberling, board of directors chairman, said Busch has been a businessman in the community for many years. He said he owns Busch distributors, served eight years on the Moscow City Council and has been active in the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations.

"In our business community he's very well known, very well respected and has retired and has agreed to dive in and work hard on behalf of Gritman," Kimberling said.

Mann and Busch were not present at the meeting. Kimberling said Busch had a scheduled trip out of the country.

Robin Woods, board of directors secretary/treasurer and nominating committee chairwoman, said written or verbal confirmation from the individual that he or she is willing to serve on the board is required if there is a nomination from the floor.

The nominating committee recommended naming Busch to the board of directors so he did not need to be present to be elected.

"I wish to apologize to (Busch) because I don't even know the man and I don't mean any of this to reflect negatively on him," Harris said. "But I do know the heart of Greg Mann and he worked 100 percent for Gritman and so I would love to see him return to the board."

Woods had gifts, including a plaque, for Mann for his services.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to gcabeza@dnews.com.