Former Sen. Broadsword quits county commission for H&W job
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — Former state Sen. Joyce Broadsword has decided to step away from her seat on the Bonner County Commission to take an administrative position with a state agency.Broadsword announced Tuesday plans to resign from the commission, less than one month after being sworn into office. The Bonner County Daily Bee reports (http://bit.ly/VgfNcv ) that she has accepted a position as regional director with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The regional office covers 10 northern Idaho counties. Broadsword served four terms in the Idaho Senate and ascended to vice chair of the chamber's Health and Welfare Committee. She decided not to seek re-election last year, opting instead to run for county commissioner. Broadsword knocked off incumbent Cornel Rasor in the Republican primary then beat independent Steve Johnson in November.
Click below for the full announcement from the state Department of Health & Welfare.
www.healthandwelfare.
NEWS RELEASE--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joyce Broadsword Named DHW North Idaho Regional Director
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is pleased to announce that Joyce Broadsword has accepted the position of North Idaho Regional Director. She will replace Ron Beecher, who is retiring on Feb. 28.
Broadsword, currently a Bonner County commissioner, will start on March 1. She will resign from the commission, effective Feb. 28.
“I had concerns about leaving my post on the commission, but it became clear I could do more to help people in northern Idaho by taking on this new challenge – and that’s why I got into public service in the first place,” she said.
Health and Welfare Director Dick Armstrong is looking forward to working with Broadsword in her new role.
“In working with Senator Broadsword in the Legislature, her commitment to improve the lives of Idaho citizens became quite clear to all of us,” Armstrong says. “She knows the health and human service issues of Idaho and has a proven record for getting things done. We are very excited about having her on board in this critical leadership position.”
As regional director, Broadsword will serve Idaho’s 10 most northern counties and work on special tasks for the Department of Health and Welfare. She formerly served four terms in the Idaho Senate, where she was vice-chairwoman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
Broadsword lives on a small farm in the Sagle area with her husband, John. They have three grown sons and three grandchildren. She also owns and operates a log home company in Ponderay with her brother, Phil McNearney.
