Carson health agency wants to hear from public

Carson City health officials will hold two public meetings this month to find out what the public thinks are the city's most important health issues.

Topics at the Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 meetings could range from teenage pregnancy to tobacco use, but anything is welcome.

"We really don't want to make any assumptions about what we want to talk about," said city consultant Marcia McDonnell. "We suspect there will be a lot of conversation about immunizations and activities at the public health clinic."

Carson City is forming a Board of Health, made up of city supervisors, the city health officer and sheriff, said the city's health director, Daren Winkelman. The board is planning its first meeting March 18 and will use information gathered at the community forums to create a plan for the future.

"The purpose of these community forums is to educate Carson City residents on the role of public health in the community and the changes that will occur as a result of the recent approval of a Board of Health by the Carson City Board of Supervisors," Winkelman said.

Refreshments will be served at the meetings, which will begin at 6 p.m. The Feb. 24 meeting will be at the State Library & Archives, 100 N. Stewart St. The Feb. 26 meeting will be at the Carson City Community Center, 851 East William St.