Unofficial election results show incumbent Paul Katzeff and registered nurse Laura Finley leading in the polls for two open seats on the Mendocino Coast Health Care District Board as of early Wednesday morning. Â
Finley is handily dominating the race with 44.5% of the vote, followed by Paul Katzeff with 28.4% of the vote.
The district manages health care access and services for the entire Mendocino Coast, from Gualala to Westport, including contracts with Adventist Health, which operates the only critical care hospital on the coast.
The board oversees the district’s finances, partnerships, communications, facilities and operations. The board has five members, all volunteers, who serve four-year terms.
In addition to Finley and Katzeff, Mikael Blaisdell, a tech consultant, holds 15.4% of the vote, followed by Gabriel Quinn Maroney, a public health advocate, with 11.62% of votes.
The district is knee-deep in negotiations with Adventist Health, which is threatening to terminate its lease for Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Hospital in Fort Bragg, due to revenue falling below an agreed-upon percentage. The district and Adventist have both tried to ease fears of a possible hospital closure, with a decision expected to be made by Nov. 29.