City sets right course on fluoride vote...in comes the "Awesome gals"

Peter Ripley, Publisher

To recap from the staff memo provided: Fluoridation of the City’s water supply has been a controversial topic for many years. In late 2015, with a contractual obligation to fluoridate the City’s water almost complete, Council chose to proactively seek input on the issue through a three-part plan. As one part of that plan, Council conducted an unofficial survey of water users. The survey, though viewed as flawed by some, indicated that the majority of respondents did not want their water to be fluoridated. On December 15, 2015, Council considered all the input it had received and voted 4-3 to continue fluoridation. Since that time, the controversy has continued and includes a recent effort by citizens to change the form of City government.
Mayor Downie has asked the Council to reconsider its decision, proposing that Council:
· End fluoridation of the municipal water supply;
· Maintain the City’s fluoridation facilities so that, if Port Angeles registered voters
choose to continue with water fluoridation, the City is prepared to do so;
· Conduct an advisory vote on fluoridation during the 2017 Municipal General
Election; and
· Adhere to the outcome of the 2017 advisory vote of Port Angeles registered voters.
related news story: Fluoridation ends in Port Angeles; advisory vote to be on ballot in 15 months
The Port Angeles City Council has voted to end fluoridation of municipal water and conduct a vote Nov. 7, 2017.---PDN

Quote from the article posted: " Councilmen Brad Collins and Dan Gase and Deputy Mayor Cherie voted against stopping fluoridation and against abiding by the pledge to follow the dictates of the advisory ballot, which council members are not legally bound to do."

Editorial note: That should tell you readers council's resolve in not listening to the will of the people in this case. At least three of the current council members. During the meeting, Downie said that if he didn't get full compliance by council members to accept the will of the people after the outcome of the election in 2017, he would withdraw the motion, but, he didn't do that. Maybe it was because of pressure to move ahead despite what three of the council members had to say at this time, but I have to hand it to Downie in wanting to put this issue behind, and refocus attention to other issues.
Which by the way was expressed by some members of the audience their desire to have the city not be bogged down by one subject. That was mostly driven by what I call the city council cheer leading squad! The awesome gals of the Revitalize Port Angeles group was on hand singing the praises how great things are currently going on in Port Angeles. Such as: Painted rocks, murals, and promoting the best town deal. Which I affectionately call the "awesome gals" because they were  promoting their awesome PA deal they got going.
They mainly were saying that the issue of fluoride had been a distraction, and other concerns were being ignored. Ignored by who? I wondered as I was sitting there listening to them speak on their support of the new advisory vote which will be binding. I wondered whom they were referring to, the city council, or the media? (see Revitalize link) The group was founded by Leslie Robertson.

Okay, I may make light of the cheer leading squad, but they did have a point, the topic of fluoride had been taking up a lot of news headlines, and other distractions related to it like the ethic complaints filed, had been fodder for editorial comments.
Secondly, I questioned during this week since all of this happened, that Eloise Katlin, President of Our Water Our Choice group, maybe a bit unreasonable in her objections of a ballot measure come 2017?

Quoting from the PDN article posted: "Eloise Kailin of Sequim, president of the anti-fluoridation group Our Water, Our Choice!, said Downie’s proposal “merits support.” But an advisory vote “is a pointless, painful and divisive exercise,” Kailin said in a prepared statement, and hinted at further protests from fluoridation foes."

Editorial note: What do we who are on the side of anti-fluoride have to fear over a vote? Suddenly those of us who are the majority afraid of the "big bad wolf"? (vote). This hint of protesting the very thing that may settle this issue does nothing to forward the cause of getting rid of fluoride, accept for making us look petty, and there is no need, because this time were the majority. I can't understand why those who are anti-fluoride are choosing to muck up a golden opportunity to settle this dispute by a public vote. It's the other side to are pro-fluoride should be concern, so why should we who are opposed to force medication seem to be timid now over a vote on the 2017 ballot?

EDC TOOK CENTER STAGE AT COUNTY COMMISSON MEETING

It wasn't on the agenda, during Tuesday's County Commission meeting, the agenda was as follows:
CONSENT AGENDA – Any Commissioner may remove items for discussion
1a Approval of vouchers for the week of July 25
1b Approval of payroll for the period ending July 15
1c Approval of minutes for the week of July 25
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Certificate of Appreciation recognizing Stephanie Noblin
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
2a Contract with Washington State Military Department for reimbursement funding to PenCom
Dispatch Center for CPD expenses and state Enhanced 911 policies
2b Agreement with Aldergrove Construction, Inc. for the Clallam County 3rd Street building level 2 remodel
PUBLIC WORKS
3a Resolution authorizing the permanent closure of Otter Way in Sequim to unauthorized motor vehicles
3b Resolution authorizing County Road Project CRP C1239 for pavement repair, HMA overlay and pavement markings at intersections
All items on the agenda was approved. What was really the hot topic during the meeting was brought up during the open public comment session by Maggie Roth. She wasn't to please with the job performance to date of the EDC in bringing in new industry and jobs, and expressed the need to reconsider the county's continued support of the EDC, given their track record to date. (see video clip in our "note pad" section below this page.)

PORT COMMISSIONER BURKE TALKS SUBISDIES  FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY

The Port commission held a special meeting on Monday, and the hot topic of discussion was the Marina Rate review:
Summary: I have been sharing on my you tube channel the discussion regarding marina rates (see link) 
related news story: PDN; Port of Port Angeles commissioners are considering new ways to determine moorage rates at Port Angeles Boat Haven and John Wayne Marina.
Quote from the article posted: " Commissioner Colleen McAleer suggested that only commercial vessel owners who pay B&O tax should be eligible for the subsidy."

Editorial note: It was Commissioner Steve Burke who first brought up the discussion of possibly offering a subsidy to the commercial fishing industry who uses the two marinas to dock at, John Wayne, in Sequim, and the Boat Heaven in Port Angeles. Even though who brought up the discussion first wasn't mentioned in the article. I thought it was a good idea on the port commission as a whole to even suggest that possibility, the fishing industry needs all the breaks it can get these days.


In other local, and regional headlines...

Clallam County commissioners discuss rules for short-term rentals; public hearing planned---PDN

Richards takes early lead in primary election for Clallam County commission race---PDN

Editorial Note: If Randy Johnson the challenger to Richards, both will have to prove they really want the job. You can't prove that by not attending meetings.

Chapman, Vrable appear headed for general election in race for 24th District state legislative seat---PDN

Editorial Note: One of those rare occiasions I'm voting democrat.

Agnew quadriplegic to take long ride in wheelchair to illustrate need for accessible trails---PDN

Your's truly on the campaign trial in 2013.
These chairs are not meant to go on a busy
freeway,

Editorial Comment: First of all I want to wish him luck, but however, I use a wheelchair, and I manage to go across town every Sunday morning to attend church services, using the sidewalks as I should. I can travel across town on one charge all the way to the shopping plaza and back down town, plus across the two eighth street bridges, and back home barely because the batteries start to go out. I know because I did that during the time I ran last time for city council, which many drivers saw me toting my campaign signs. Now, this guy wants to cross the state in a chair? Why would anyone want or feel the need to run along the side of the road in a chair? These chairs are not cars. They are not designed for road travel they are good on sidewalks or even a quiet street, but not in intense traffic. Though the attempt may be noble, I don't think it's a wise move. Batteries take around 8 hours to fully charge, so how is he going to manage that, sleep at motels? I just think there are other ways to prove a point, like getting involved in your local government. Also, how about repairs to his two chairs, like new wheels, and batteries, and engines, the wheels will probably be worn out fast because the road conditions, and as for the engine, and batteries they'll fry out too did he consider that? Even though I have my doubts on this stunt...Just saying why risk life and limb to prove a point?
But, nevertheless best of luck.

Scientists consider starvation or illness in eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca bird die-off---PDN
About 400 emaciated birds have washed ashore on beaches west of Port Angeles, near Victoria, and as far east as Whidbey Island since May.

Editorial Note: Raw sewage from Victoria BC might had something to do with this don't you think?

The Most Prevalent Form of Litter in the World by Carol Turner---Port O Call

PUD Recovers Money Thru Bond Refund---KONP RADIO

Sequim YMCA picks Texas native for branch manager---SEQUIM GAZETTE

 Return of fin, humpback whales to Salish Sea could be both a positive and negative sign---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Big Changes are coming to Relay For Life this weekend---FORKS FORUM

Where imagination meets magic — The Wandering Princess----FORKS FORUM

Housing crisis: Timmons to take action---PT LEADER


NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT (Victoria BC)

Dozens move into housing for tent-city homeless----Times Colonist

Billboard makeover gives cat-napping mayor blanket, pillow----Times Colonist

Construction crane rises for third condo tower at Bayview Place---Victoria News


NOTE PAD:
Today's video clip: During the County Commission Maggie Roth spoke on her views of the job performance to date of the EDC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVc9JHQyT5k  (part 1)
The video clip includes also the agenda items which were on the agenda, Roth's statements came during the open public comment session.

JOIN IN ON THE DEBATE @ our FB group page.
Question: Does the job performance of the EDC warrants further support from local governments?

DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
The Greatness of God
Job 37:5 says concerning God: "Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend." There are many characteristics which we can believe God possesses, yet we cannot understand how He can be so great.---Gospel Way