On March 18, 2002, Dynamic Chiropractic published an article on our website criticizing California Governor Gray Davis for failing to make any appointments to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners (http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/01.html). On March 21, Dynamic Chiropractic's e-mail newsletter, DCNewsUpdate, was e-mailed to almost 14,000 subscribers. On that same date, Governor Davis did something he couldn't find the time to do in almost three years in office: He appointed two new members to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
The two new members are Ronald Hayes,DC, and attorney John Marder. Dr. Hayes is a former member of the International Chiropractic Association of California, and a current member of the California Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Mr. Marder is an insurance fraud attorney with the Los Angeles law firm of Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez.
The California Board now officially has four members. This is still a long way from a full compliment of seven, but it will allow the board to finally have an official meeting (something it hasn't been able to do since last July). And while the reason for Mr. Davis' refusal to appoint anyone to the California Chiropractic Board remains unclear, at least this is a start.
In his article "Are You Listening, Governor Davis?" (http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/16.html), DC editor Don Petersen asked doctors of chiropractic to phone, e-mail, fax or write Governor Davis to encourage him to begin making these appointments. The efforts of many DCs (who began contacting Mr. Davis after seeing the article on the website), combined with the fact that this is an election year, seem to have caught Mr. Davis' attention. If only the chiropractic profession can hold his attention long enough, Mr. Davis may find the time to make the last three appointments, plus appointments for the two remaining members whose official terms expired last February, and who are serving under a one-year "grace" period.
Dynamic Chiropractic will continue to follow this issue closely and report on any progress, or lack thereof.
