The Clay County Public Health Board is not only looking to fill two fouryear term seats in the upcoming April 4 election, but also one person for a one-year term.

Two candidates have tossed their hat into the ring — Debbie Florido and Andrew Pileggi.

The candidates recently answered questions about issues and philosophies affecting Clay County Public Health.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Richmond News asked each candidate to list their age, address, marital status, number of children, highest grade completed, employer and relevant political experience.

Florido – The 50-yearold Kansas City resident has a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Informatics. A registered nurse since 1986, she is currently employed by University of Kansas Health System. She has experience in inpatient and ambulatory nursing, as well as a nurse manager and hospital nursing supervisor. She also has budget experience from her time as s a nurse manager.

Pileggi – A current Clay County Board of Health member, the Kansas City resident has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from University of Kansas. The 53-year-old is employed at United Scripts Pharmacy. current Clay County Board of Health member.

For the question and answer portion, The Standard asked each candidate to start with a “yes” or “no” answer, allowing readers to understand the candidate’s thinking. Each candidate’s answers had a word limit.

General questions addressed basic information about each candidate and policy questions followed.

Why are you running for office?

Florido – “Change is needed. New perspectives will advance the department. I am the best candidate because of my past and current experience as a registered nurse. I am face to face with patients daily which allows me to learn what public health issues are at the forefront of healthcare.”

Pileggi – “I am running for re-election because I enjoy learning from and helping others.”

POLICY QUESTIONS The Vision Statement

1 YEAR TERM, 5 of the Health Department is “Empowering all people in Clay County to lead healthier lives.” What does this statement mean to you?

Florido – “Personal Empowerment in healthcare comes from education. I believe a Health Department is responsible to educate its customers and then allow them the personal freedom to make decisions based on what they’ve learned.”

Pileggi – “Empowering all people in Clay County to lead healthier lives, to me means providing all people in Clay County with the education and resources to help give them the ability to make healthier decisions in their activities of daily living.”

In your opinion, what is the way to protect and educate youth regarding the passing of Amendment 3?

Florido – “Knowing the side effects and consequences associated with drugs, legal or illegal, is number one. We need to spend time in schools offering education, reviewing available resources and letting them know where they can find them.”

Pileggi – “In my opinion, the way to protect and educate youth regarding the passing of Amendment 3 is to educate both youth and adults in the dangers of all substance abuse. I think helping them to understand the correlation between healthy communication and behavioral health is key.”

Are the current policies and plans enough to combat the opioid epidemic in Clay County?

Florido - “No. While it appears that the prescribing of opioids in Clay County is less in comparison, there is still a high prescribing rate in our area; significantly higher in people ages 65-plus. Educating our population is one step, but we also need to initiate conversations with prescribers as well.”

Pileggi – “The current policies and procedures are not enough to combat the opioid epidemic in Clay County. I feel very strongly that the use of fiduciary options and increased education and communication be implemented as resources to address this very serious subject. I will advocate for those available opioid settlement dollars to be used accordingly in Clay County.”

What is the biggest challenge facing the Clay County Public Health Board in 2023 and how do you plan to address the issue?

Florido – “Mental Health in all age groups is one of our biggest challenges. Per the health assessment completed in 2022, there is a significant need. Access to care is one major issue. Clay County needs to partner with as many available mental health providers to expedite and guide care. In my opinion, this is long overdue.”

Pileggi – “The biggest challenge facing the Clay County Board of Health is identified in the most recent Community Health Assessment. Behavioral health, transportation and healthy nutrition top the list. I will work to help to see that these issues are implemented, particularly for our new mothers, infants, school-age children and senior adults.”

From the Excelsior Springs Health assessment on your website “In 2012, Clay County Public Health Center’s Dental Program assessed dental health in the county and found that in Excelsior Springs, the water supply (PWSD #8) does not meet the current optimal recommended lowest range of fluoride (0.7 milligrams per liter) in the drinking water. There are 39-42 percent more dental cavities in Excelsior Springs children when compared to other communities in Clay County with adequate water fluoridation. Adding fluoride to drinking water has been proven to reduce incidence of cavities among treated populations.”

Have there been steps to address this in Excelsior Springs? What other steps can be taken to address the dental health in Excelsior Springs?

Florido – “Levels of fluoride are monitored by the state. Minimal acceptable level is 0.7 and Excelsior Springs has 0.12 naturally. Education on how to increase fluoride intake are available on the State of Missouri and Clay County Health websites. Clay County does school visits to administer fluoride treatments twice per year.”

Pileggi – “It is my understanding that the Clay County Director of Public Health did provide fluoridization of community water supply education to the Excelsior Springs city council in 2012. The decision was made by the city council at that time not to add fluoride as a treatment to their municipal water supply. Steps that can be taken to address the dental health in Excelsior Springs are to continue to provide community education and promote good general dental hygiene. Regular dental screenings at Excelsior Springs schools through our dental program should continue.”