BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Issues of race and quotas became the center of heated debate Tuesday at Cincinnati City Hall, as council members discussed who would fill one of two vacant slots on the powerful city Board of Health.
In the end, a majority of council's Committee on Mayoral Appointments decided that Jeannette R. Spero, a nurse whose area of expertise and work has largely focused on public health, would not be the best candidate.
Ms. Spero is director of the Office of International Affairs at the University of Cincinnati's College of Nursing. She is a graduate of New York University and Johns Hopkins' School of Public Health. Councilman Dwight Tillery, a committee member, said he was concerned that only one health board member is a minority -- an African-American woman. Ms. Spero is white.
"It seems to me, in spite of the outstanding credentials of this person, given that one person out of nine (is a minority on the board), we need to look for minorities to be appointed," he said.
Mr. Tillery said he would like to see council abide by a measure it passed in January, which was to ensure board appointments reflected a "commitment to racial, gender and economic diversity."
Mr. Tillery said he also wanted to ensure the average citizen was represented fairly on the health board.
He and fellow committee member Charlie Winburn argued with Councilman Jim Tarbell over the appointment.
Mr. Tarbell said committee members were holding the appointment hostage over race issues and quotas. He maintained that at least three minority appointments had stepped down in recent years before their three-year term was completed.
Mr. Winburn and Mr. Tillery said they were offended by Mr. Tarbell's remarks.
"I think racial balance is very important, I think inclusion is very important," Mr. Tillery said.
Mr. Tarbell said later in the day: "It may be a worthy goal, but if it doesn't work, we shouldn't hold it (the appointment) up."
Mr. Tillery, Mr. Winburn and committee Chairwoman Minette Cooper decided to return the recommendation to Ms. Qualls, and request that Ms. Spero's name be removed and that a list of names be submitted for consideration. Jeanette Cissell, a member of the committee, was not present.
The board of health is appointed by the mayor, with the approval of city council. It is responsible for enforcement and promulgation of health board regulations ranging from health care to environmental issues.
