By, Peter Ripley Publisher
Readers, last Friday the Peninsula
Daily News reported that the fluoridation surveys were mailed out to
water utility customers. See their report they posted last Friday:
Related
story, from last week's edition of the PDN: Fluoridation survey to be
mailed out today to water users in Port Angeles area
So, readers here's yours truly sat waiting
to receive my survey question, and low and behold I come to find out
since those who like me, live in Housing Authority housing projects
which Housing pays for the water bill, we don't get to vote on the
subject on whether or not the city should continue adding fluoride in
the city water system! Your truly wrote the following email to the
local mayor and council:
Mr.
Mayor, and Council
The
surveys have been mailed out last Friday on the fluoridation issue
right? How come I hadn't got mine? I live in one of the housing
authority apt buildings. Live in PA. Should my neighbors and me be
getting these questionnaires too?
One
City Council member did respond, Dan Gase responded with the
following email:
Hi
Peter,
Just
to verify, yes, the surveys have been mailed out. I received mine on
Tuesday.
If
you receive a utility bill for water in your name you should receive
a survey. If by some chance you pay your electricity but the complex
you reside in pays the water bill then you most likely will not
receive a survey.
Dan
Gase Councilmember, City of Port Angeles
You
tell me readers is that fair? Granted one could argue that those who
don't get to vote on the survey can express their opinion by voting
in the general election between the two contenders in the last city
council race between Kidd and Bateham. Of course if that is under
the assumption all those 1800 votes that went to Bateham were voting
on the fluoride issue alone, but there is no way of telling the
motives of the voters.
Remember
readers, the city is banking on this survey to help to decide on
continuing the program of adding fluoride to the city water system.
They rejected the idea of placing this issue as a ballot measure in
the general election. It was Gase who stated to yours truly sometime
ago that just having registered voters have a say on the issue, would
exclude people who don't vote during the general elections! How
ironic! Now you have water utility rate payers having a say on this
matter, but excluding a section of the community in particpating in
the survey simply because the Housing Authority pays the water bill!
They should have done both putting this issue on the ballot of the
general election, and done the survey to the water utility rate
payers that way all citizens would participate in the process, and
none would feel left out.
Related stories from the PORT O CALL: Women lead the way on health issues including Fluoridation
In our local duke-out over continued fluoridation of our water, let’s remember women like Alice Hamilton, Rachel Carson and Erin Brockovich.---PORT O CALL DATED 11/ 12/15
Fluoride, Teeth, and the Atomic Bomb
" Today, two thirds of U.S. public drinking water is fluoridated. Many municipalities still resist the practice, disbelieving the government’s assurances of safety.' ----PORT O CALL/ CSMONITOR
In other local news...
Clallam County commissioners rescind taxing district set up five years ago to pay for Striped Peak Road safety improvements
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has rescinded a junior taxing district that was set up five years ago to pay for safety improvements to Striped Peak Road. County commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to rescind a September 2010 resolution that created the Striped Peak Road Improvement District west of Port Angeles near Freshwater Bay.---Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles port to seek property tax increase of 1 percent
" Commissioners Jim Hallett and Colleen McAleer may seek the full increase allowed by law. Commissioner John Calhoun voted against introducing the resolution, which commissioners must adopt at their Nov. 24 meeting when they consider approving their 2016 budget of $16,964,832. If they pass the resolution in two weeks, they will bypass a guideline called the Implicit Price Deflator, which would tie tax increases to the rate of inflation"---Peninsula Daily News
Movie focuses in on tribal fishing rights
Magic of Cinema and the Peninsula College House of Learning Longhouse will host a screening of Sandra Osawa’s “Usual and Accustomed Places” from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, in the Peninsula College Longhouse.---SEQUIM GAZETTE
Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest offer scholarships
Applications are now available for the Diane Demorest Nursing Scholarship. Although Diane Demorest was only 43 when she died of cancer, her love of nursing and caring for people lives on through this scholarship named in her honor.---FORKS FORUM
JCHS collects stories, hosts events for West End Weekend, Nov. 13-14
Jefferson County Historical Society’s (JCHS) seventh annual West End Weekend, taking place Nov. 13-15, focuses on the theme of logging on the Olympic Peninsula.---PT Leader
PTSD board gets first look at Grant Street design
With voter approval, Port Townsend school officials plan to open a brand new Grant Street Elementary by the start of the 2018-19 school year.---PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Trudeau orders ban on oil tankers off B.C. north coast
Trudeau directs reopening of Coast Guard base, action on Fraser salmon
NHL player to plead guilty in grizzly kill: Crown
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK:
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT:
Notice of hearing to be held December 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. regarding the proposed
2016 Clallam County Budget and consideration of general fund and road levies
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Meeting details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
CITY OF PORT ANGELES MEETING AGENDA HIGHTLIGHT: 2015 Hydrogeologic Services Feasibility Study
Summary: The City of Port Angeles is exploring the development of new ground water sources to supplement the City’s current surface water sources from the Elwha River. The ultimate goal of the project is to lessen the City’s demand on its Elwha River surface water source. The City has contracted with Robinson Noble to provide a groundwater source feasibility assessment to define the possibility of producing groundwater from one or more wells within or in proximity to the City limits.
Funding: As of November 12th, the 2015 Water Utility Fund for Professional Services (402-7380-
534-4150) has a balance of $119,630.71 with a sufficient unobligated amount for this change
order.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the
2015 Hydrogeologic Services Feasibility Study Professional Services Agreement with RobinsonNoble in the amount of $2,500 for an agreement total of $27,310, and to make minor modifications to the agreement if necessary.
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2651
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM:
Ordinance 3137, Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way; Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3130, 3124, 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for an Third Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area
Action: Move to Waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3137, Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way; Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3130, 3124, 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for an Third Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
How the Holy Spirit Bears Fruit
The Bible clearly teaches that Christians are to bear fruit. Jesus said, Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Jesus expects His followers to bear much fruit: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples (John 15:8).----TRUTH FOR THE WORLD
