You have to wonder what New Year resolution the so called f4 made this New Year's eve. Perhaps it was to govern by the will of the minority instead of the majority that voted their displeasure of continuing the practice of adding fluoride in our city's water system. Nevertheless, an angry crowd gathered at the city council meeting Tuesday, voicing their disdain of not only the four council members who voted to continue the practice, but mocked the new mayor and deputy mayor as well! I witnessed two scenarios being played out during that meeting on Tuesday night, two prophecies being fulfilled.
Let's take a look at these two scenarios one at a time:
Scenario one: First you have to look way back to 2006 when this issue about adding fluoride to our water system began. I was running for city council at that time, one of many times which I ran for office but came up short. Nevertheless during that time and times since, I often spoke about the fluoride issue. I said many times that this decision should be in the hands of the voters in a ballot measure. Also remember back then it was the pro-fluoride folks who were the majority so it seemed. I remember countless town hall meetings which the other side was the majority. Now ten years later, the anti-fluoride folks are the majority! Lot changed since ten years ago it would seem. But, like then, some over zealous dentist decided to play “big brother' once again, bringing outsiders to this community who knew nothing about this community, and probably paid to do so, come and educate we ignorant town folks over the benefits of having fluoride added to our water. After all readers, according to the lead dentist who was pushing continuing the practice that said, “Those who don't have a degree in dentistry can't make a informed decision on fluoride.” I believe it was Dr. Kennedy that said that.
Now as for this scenario, picture this keeping in mind this is ten years later, different council, different group of people are in play. With of course some old warriors on both sides of the issue. First Cherie Kidd along with some other members of the council was talking about this very thing of having this issue placed as a ballot measure. But some other council members along with their sidekicks the dentist who was opposing the very idea of having this placed on the ballot. Why would they be so afraid of having this issue on the ballot you would ask? I have a hunch they knew what would be the result! Thus they pushed this unbinding citizen advisory poll. Which was only offered to water utility customers. Here's the thing on that. Some citizens who happened to live in subsidised housing have their water bills paid by the landlord, in this case the Housing Authority, so a group of people didn't even get a chance to vote in this poll. But in the end that didn't matter, the f4 decided to ignore that poll because it was unbinding, and they knew it! That whole thing in my opinion was a token exercise of democracy. If they had this on the ballot they would have been obligated to inhere to the will of the people. Plain and simple readers!
Scenario two: Do you recall this headline from the January 1st edition of the Peninsula Daily News?
Fluoride may play a role in Port Angeles mayor selection
Apparently, Paul Gottlieb of the PDN also could be considered a prophet in this too. He wrote how possibly the vote for new mayor and deputy mayor may reflect the decision of the fluoridation issue,and sure enough it did! The council elected Pat Downie as mayor, and Cherie Kidd as deputy mayor both on a 4-3 vote! The same four who voted the continuation of adding fluoride in the city water supply. Much I may add to the dismay of the audience attending the meeting, they were greeted with heckling, and mockery of the audience at their election as mayor and deputy mayor. Downie and Kidd were two of the four who voted to continue fluoridation.
Downie in my opinion seemed flummoxed at times with the heckling from the crowd of people, he miscued on names of his fellow council members once, and that made the crowd heckle even more.
Downie said he would welcome anyone to talk with him one on one about this issue, he asked the unruly crowd to show some respect toward the council. The crowd shouted back: “You didn't respect us, so you get no respect!”
It was a three hour long open public comment session, and you could tell by the demeanor of Downie he was eager to close the first public comment session. I didn't sign up to speak during that first session, but Downie did ask if anyone who didn't get to speak, can speak at that time, I raised my hand several times to speak, but people were signing their names after those who already signed up to speak during that first session. Downie stated he would let just four more people to speak who hadn't signed up. I kept raising my hand after each speaker, Downie was ready to just close down that session, when some members of the public shouted out me by name and said: 'Hey, let Peter speak he had his hand up and has been ignored!” I was about just to call it quits until that happened so I spoke about my views on the whole affair as I did in this posting. Even surprised Council member Whetham I think when I said I agreed with him that the will of the people should be upheld. I left the meeting shortly after that 3 hour long deal. It's safe to say readers, it looks like it's going to be a long year for the f4. That's if they survive the possible recall attempts. Of course they can redeem themselves by repealing this order, but don't bet the farm on it.
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Quote from the article posted: "During a ten minute break vice-mayor Cherie Kidd implored newly minted Mayor, Pat Downie to make the crowd stop calling her out by name. Obediently, Downie announced to the crowd that council members should not be called out by name. At the second public comment period the council was assured they would continue to be called out by name."
In other local news...
Kathleen Kler elected as first female chair of Jefferson County Board of Commissioners--PDN
Clallam's sales tax holiday is debated by commissioners with other officials invited to weigh in--PDN
Quote from the article: Chapman and newly sworn-in Commissioner Mark Ozias said they would support returning the sales tax rate to 8.4 percent. Peach said he was “firmly opposed” to the idea. Ozias, who defeated McEntire in last year's election and took office last Tuesday, said he was “concerned about the sustainability” of the county budget."
Editorial Note: I see no sooner does Chapman who is now a democrat, and Ozais open their first meeting of the year they raise taxes. True democrats! This means your goods and services will be more, since they increase the sales tax.
Port Angeles recycles 14,000 pounds of garbage bins and saves thousands--PDN
Clallam board agrees to post more background information online for consent agenda items---PDN
Nippon and biomass-boiler maker settle lawsuits, $17 million in charges as court date neared--PDN
Selinda Barkhuis: Person of the Year By John Marrs---PORT O CALL
Out with the old, in with the new---SEQUIM GAZETTE
WDFW approves razor clam digs at Copalis and Long Beach---FORKS FORUM
Investing in people, homes: Chimacum bus driver's dream coming true thanks to retired math teacher---PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT:
Victoria homeless count set for Feb. 10; volunteers sought---TIMES COLONIST
Tent city campers get settled in new temporary shelter---VICTORIA NEWS
Syrian family settling into life in Victoria---VICTORIA NEWS
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK
PORT TO ELECT NEW BOARD OFFICERS
See full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/01122016-124?html=true
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:
- Resolution directing the Human Resources Department to not add the cost of living adjustment
for Commissioner Mike Chapman and to remove the car allowance and telephone stipend from
his benefit package
- Agreement with Serenity House of Clallam County for staffing housing resource centers and
associated rental subsidies
- Agreement with Serenity House of Clallam County for emergency shelter resources and
associated support services
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
CITY OF SEQUIM MEETING HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution R2016-001 Supporting Sequim School District Facilities Construction and Replacement Plan and Bond
See full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1309
CITY OF FORKS MEETING AGENDA: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda11116.pdf
PORT TOWNSEND MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution 16-002 Expressing the City Council’s Support for the Port Townsend School District #50’s Proposition 1, a Bond Measure to Construct and Improve Schools
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Lay Up Treasures in Heaven ] “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
