CRAWFORD COUNTY - It appears Crawford County Public Health Officer Gloria Wall and Crawford County Public Health Nurse Judy Powell no longer work at the county health department.

While rumors abound in the county government offices in Prairie du Chien, verifiable information for publication was hard to come by Monday, Nov. 20.

Reached by telephone at her home near Eastman Monday afternoon, Gloria Wall confirmed she was not working as the Director of the Crawford County Health Department anymore.

“I have been retired,” the longtime public health official said.

Wall also confirmed her retirement was effective as of Tuesday, Nov. 14 following a closed session meeting of the Crawford County Board of Supervisors Personnel Committee. Minutes of the open portion of that meeting were not available to the Independent-Scout on Monday.

Crawford County Clerk Janet Geisler was on vacation for the week and unavailable to explain the situation, according to employees in the county clerk’s office.

A person answering the phone at Crawford County Public Health Department on Monday said that director of public health Gloria Wall was retired and public health nurse Judy Powell was not available because she no longer worked at the department.

The phone answerer said Crawford County Human Services Director Dan McWilliams was helping out the department “during this period.”

A voicemail message left for McWilliams by the Independent-Scout drew no response. A message left for Crawford County Board Chairperson Tom Conford, who was working, also drew no response, as did a voicemail message left at the residences of Personnel Committee Chairperson Jerry Krachey and committee member Larry Kelley.

Additionally, Judy Powell could not be reached by phone on Monday afternoo.

Another meeting of the Crawford County Board Personnel Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. in the Crawford County Administration Building. The agenda for that meeting includes the appearance of McWilliams in reference to a new job description for the Public Health Supervisor/Officer.

Another item on the agenda is a discussion/action on combing Human Service and the Health Department. The last item on the agenda before two closed session discussions is the appointment of an acting Health Director.

After each closed session, the committee is scheduled to return to open session and agenda items entertain a motion after the closed session.