December 23, 1999

Stanislaus County officials hope to start interviewing candidates for public health officer next month.

Two people have applied for the post so far, said Bev Finley, managing director of the county Health Services Agency. Applications are still being accepted, Finley said.

The former public health officer, Dr. Alvaro Garza, held the position for nearly three years until his departure last month. Garza left to take a position with the state Department of Health Services.

Before Garza's arrival in 1996, Stanislaus County hadn't had a full-time public health officer since 1992.

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.