Seven hospital commissioners elected

Along with approving a measure to create Grays Harbor County Public Hospital District 2, voters also elected seven commissioners to serve on the new district’s board.

Three of the new commissioners already have some experience with Grays Harbor Community Hospital — Pete Scroggs is currently president of the current Community Hospital board, Maryann Welch is a member of the board and Ryan Farrer is the hospital’s chief of staff. Scroggs and Welch will both resign from the hospital board before taking their places as commissioners, said Grays Harbor Community Hospital CEO Tom Jensen.

Vesta resident Welch currently has 4,632 votes, or 70.47 percent, for Position 1, which encompasses Junction City, Central Park and Montesano. Her opponent, Moraya Wilson, of Montesano, has 1,941 votes, or 29.53 percent.

Welch’s work in the health sector extends far beyond her work on the hospital board. She served as the director of the Grays Harbor County Department of Social Services from 1986 to 1997, and directed the county’s Department of Public Health and Social Services from 1997 to 2007 after her original department merged with another.

Armando Juarez Jr., of Aberdeen, ran unopposed for Position 2, which covers Westport and Grayland.

Ocean Shores resident Miles Longenbaugh ran unopposed for Position 3, representing Ocean Shores and the North Beach. He currently works as a financial advisor for Edward Jones.

For Position 4, representing Hoquiam, Redivia owner and chef Andrew Bickar has 2,686 votes, or 42.68 percents. John Sherrett has 1,705 votes, or 27.09 percent, and current Grays Harbor Community Hospital board member David Monsen has 1,903 votes, or 30.24 percent.

Scroggs leads Position 5, representing most areas of Aberdeen. He has 3,028 votes, or 45.44 percent. Bruce Daniels has 2,056 votes, 30.86 percent, and Aberdeen High School principal Rocky Rocquin has 1,579 votes, or 23.7 percent.

Aberdeen Police Chief Bob Torgerson is ahead in the At Large Position 1 race, with 3,444 votes, or 56.30 percent. Former hospital Chief Financial Officer Tim Howden has 2,637 votes, or 43.7 percent.

Farrer ran unopposed for At Large Position 2.