WH: Remarks by President Trump and United Nations Secretary-General Guterres in Meeting
Press release issued 10/ 20/ 17
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/10/20/remarks-president-trump-and-united-nations-secretary-general-guterres
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. It's great to have the Secretary-General with us. We've become friends. Even before I was doing what I'm doing right now, we were friends; we knew each other.
You have done a very, very spectacular job at the United Nations. And I can tell you, speaking for the United States, we appreciate it.
And I know you're working with our ambassador. Nikki is in a very, very unique class. She is -- we're very proud of you, and we want to thank you for the job you're doing.
But it's an honor to have you, and thank you very much for being here. A lot to discuss.
SECRETARY-GENERAL GUTERRES: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I must say that I'm extremely grateful, first of all, for the support that you have given us in relation to our reform process, coming to the General Assembly.
I am a true believer that we live in a messy world but we need a strong reforms and modernized U.N. We need a strong United States, engaged based on its traditional values -- freedom, democracy, human rights. And we need a very solid cooperation between the U.S. and the U.N. And it's a great pleasure to be here.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
SECRETARY-GENERAL GUTERRES: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: I have to say, the United Nations has tremendous potential. It hasn't been used over the years nearly as it should be, but the United Nations -- perhaps almost more than any other thing I can think of.
And I will tell you, I also happen to think that the United States, even as well as we're doing right now, has additionally tremendous potential. We have just started.
But the United Nations has this great, great -- it's almost a power to bring people together like nothing else. It hasn't been used. You are starting to really get your arms around it, and I have a feeling that things are going to happen with the United Nations like you haven't seen before.
I mean, to have this group of nations in one location with one person -- which is you -- leading it strongly, I think, is -- in terms of world peace and other things and other -- many other things that you're working on -- I just wish you luck because the potential that you have is really unlimited. Good luck.
SECRETARY-GENERAL GUTERRES: Thank you very much. And I need all of the luck
THE PRESIDENT: No, you need luck -- you need luck and you need talent. Okay? You need talent. And he's got the talent. Now we'll see what happens. I'll report back to you in about seven years what I think.
Okay, thank you all very much. Thank you.
WORD FROM OUR GOVERNOR, Jay Inslee.
Govs. Inslee and Raimondo op-ed in Newsweek
Gov. Jay Inslee and Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island wrote an op-ed in Newsweek in support of the Dreamers.
Newsweek: Congress must protect the Dreamers from expulsion
Since President Trump announced his plan to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Dreamers in Rhode Island, Washington, and all across America have been faced with the constant uncertainty of whether they will be able to continue their lives here in America.
Hundreds of thousands of young people have built their lives here, and now live in fear of imminent deportation. These are hardworking young people who, through grit and determination, are pursuing higher education, working, starting small businesses, and contributing to our economy.
And as state leaders, we cannot and will not sit idly by as the federal government attempts to undercut their accomplishments and stand in the way of their continued success.
That’s why we worked to support Dreamers and eliminate the financial barriers to those needing to renew their DACA status earlier this month. And it’s why we are working hand-in-hand with local and national organizations to ensure Dreamers have the legal support and tools they need.
In Washington and Rhode Island, we’re acting in the absence of strong leadership at the federal level, showing how local leaders are making sure that Dreamers can continue to live in the only country many of them have called home.
CONGRESS MUST PROTECT THE DREAMERS FROM EXPULSION
BY JAY INSLEE AND GINA RAIMONDO --Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/congress-must-protect-dreamers-expulsion-688704?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
From our congressional delegation to D.C
Senator Murray Demands Trump Administration Stop Blocking Undocumented Minors’ Access to Reproductive Health Care & Legal Counsel
Press release issued 10/ 20/ 17
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=DF135AD9-123D-49C7-BB69-8E57C7D040E3
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, called on Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Eric D. Hargan to immediately cease all undue and improper interference in the health care decisions of young women in the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program. According to recent press reports, federal officials within the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), under the Trump Administration’s HHS Department, have repeatedly tried to intervene to prevent young women in their custody from making their own reproductive health care decisions.
A young woman in Texas, Jane Doe, currently in the physical custody of ORR, was prevented from obtaining an abortion, despite having obtained a judicial waiver as required by state law, and despite securing her own funding and transportation for the care. A federal judge entered a Temporary Restraining Order on October 18, requiring that ORR ensure “promptly and without delay” the young woman’s access to transportation to obtain an abortion. The Trump Administration has appealed that decision and a hearing is scheduled for today.
“We write to ask you to immediately cease all undue and improper interference in the health care decisions of young women who have been identified as Unaccompanied Alien Children (“UAC”) or who are otherwise undocumented and in the physical custody of the federal government. These young women often face unimaginable trauma and danger in coming to this country and fleeing violent situations in their home countries,” wrote Senator Murray. “Rather than personally interfering with health care decisions, ORR facilities and staff should be facilitating access to health care for those in the government’s custody, including any UAC that has experienced sexual assault…Forcing a young woman, especially one who has been sexually assaulted, to continue a pregnancy against her will exacerbates the trauma she has already experienced.”
Press reports have indicated that ORR has taken several actions to stop multiple women from having access to proper medical care by controlling the type of clinic they could attend, not allowing them to have transportation to medical facilities, preventing them from speaking with a lawyer, threatening funding of the shelters, and actively trying to counsel young women not to have abortions. High level officials at ORR, including Director Scott Lloyd and Deputy Director Kenneth Tota, took the unprecedented and inappropriate action of personally contacting the women to deter them from having abortions.
OUR HEALTH & FITNESS
News from the FDA
Statement by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on medical device manufacturing recovery in Puerto Rico
Press release issued 10/ 20/ 17
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm581436.htm
During the weeks since Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the infrastructure of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has joined federal and local agencies in the effort to help the people of Puerto Rico recover and begin to rebuild the island. Among the challenges the FDA has addressed is the potential for shortages of critical medical products. The FDA has been monitoring more than 40 drug products and working closely with dozens of pharmaceutical and medical device companies to help these important facilities get back online; enabling employees to return to work and manufacturers to ramp up production of medical products used by all Americans.
I’ve spoken recently about the importance of the medical product manufacturing presence in Puerto Rico, both to the economic well-being of the island, and to the health of all Americans. The FDA has provided information on the scope of drug manufacturing in Puerto Rico and our concerns around the potential for critical drug shortages resulting from impacts to these facilities.
Unfortunately, the devastation caused by the hurricanes to Puerto Rico’s medical product manufacturing sector goes beyond the effects on pharmaceutical companies. The FDA has been working equally hard to minimize shortages of medical devices manufactured in facilities on the island.
There are currently more than 50 medical device manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico, employing about 18,000 people. Collectively, they manufacture more than 1,000 different kinds of medical devices. These include simple but essential products like surgical instruments and dental products as well as highly complex devices such as cardiac pacemakers and insulin pumps.
To date, we’re monitoring about 50 types of medical devices manufactured in Puerto Rico that are critically important to patient care — because they may be life-sustaining or life-supporting and/or because there may be the single manufacturer of that device type. The FDA is working closely with about 10 manufacturers – some of which are the sole manufacturer of a certain device type – to prevent medical device product shortages across the U.S. We are particularly focused on blood-related medical devices.
Puerto Rico’s device industry is facing the same basic – but significant – challenges as most manufacturing sectors in Puerto Rico: a lack of power; connectivity; transportation; and clean water. Most, if not all, of these medical device manufacturers continue to run on generator power, and as a result, have been unable to return to pre-hurricane production levels.
In addition to these concerns, the medical device industry faces obstacles specific to the unique production requirements of each of these products. The device manufacturers have significant variation in the raw materials they require and the production processes they employ. These manufacturers face challenges in securing the various components critical to device development. These issues are exacerbated by the dependence on local subcontractors who provide much of the supplies needed for these unique manufacturing processes, but are facing their own challenges and shortages. This includes suppliers of components of a finished medical device or industrial gases, as well as tools that are critical to the production of devices.
The FDA is working with device companies and their suppliers to restore production in Puerto Rico as quickly as possible. Similar to our efforts with drug manufacturers, we are also working — in conjunction with manufacturers and government partners — to help device facilities secure fuel and the logistical support to move critical products onto and off the island. Manufacturing on the island remains fragile and the potential for device shortages persists.
As we continue to monitor at-risk products, the FDA is taking other steps to mitigate the potential for shortages. This includes considering, when necessary, importing a device from outside of the U.S., or allowing manufacturers to shift production to alternative sites.
We know it will likely be months before power is fully restored and medical product manufacturing returns to pre-hurricane levels. The FDA is committed to helping restore the medical product manufacturing in Puerto Rico as part of our efforts to protect the health of Americans and help the people of Puerto Rico recover their local economies and livelihoods.
The FDA continues to stand with the people recovering from this devastating series of storms. The FDA’s Chief Operating Officer and Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs just returned from Puerto Rico, and I hope to return to the island again soon. At the FDA, we will continue to do all we can to aid in Puerto Rico’s full recovery.
FDA approves CAR-T cell therapy to treat adults with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma
Press release issued 10/ 18/ 17
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm581216.htm
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a cell-based gene therapy, to treat adult patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded to or who have relapsed after at least two other kinds of treatment. Yescarta, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, is the second gene therapy approved by the FDA and the first for certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
“Today marks another milestone in the development of a whole new scientific paradigm for the treatment of serious diseases. In just several decades, gene therapy has gone from being a promising concept to a practical solution to deadly and largely untreatable forms of cancer,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “This approval demonstrates the continued momentum of this promising new area of medicine and we’re committed to supporting and helping expedite the development of these products. We will soon release a comprehensive policy to address how we plan to support the development of cell-based regenerative medicine. That policy will also clarify how we will apply our expedited programs to breakthrough products that use CAR-T cells and other gene therapies. We remain committed to supporting the efficient development of safe and effective treatments that leverage these new scientific platforms.”
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of NHL in adults. NHLs are cancers that begin in certain cells of the immune system and can be either fast-growing (aggressive) or slow-growing. Approximately 72,000 new cases of NHL are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and DLBCL represents approximately one in three newly diagnosed cases. Yescarta is approved for use in adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma after at least two other kinds of treatment failed, including DLBCL, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. Yescarta is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
Each dose of Yescarta is a customized treatment created using a patient’s own immune system to help fight the lymphoma. The patient’s T-cells, a type of white blood cell, are collected and genetically modified to include a new gene that targets and kills the lymphoma cells. Once the cells are modified, they are infused back into the patient.
“The approval of Yescarta brings this innovative class of CAR-T cell therapies to an additional group of cancer patients with few other options – those adults with certain types of lymphoma that have not responded to previous treatments,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
The safety and efficacy of Yescarta were established in a multicenter clinical trial of more than 100 adults with refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphoma. The complete remission rate after treatment with Yescarta was 51 percent.
Treatment with Yescarta has the potential to cause severe side effects. It carries a boxed warning for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which is a systemic response to the activation and proliferation of CAR-T cells causing high fever and flu-like symptoms, and for neurologic toxicities. Both CRS and neurologic toxicities can be fatal or life-threatening. Other side effects include serious infections, low blood cell counts and a weakened immune system. Side effects from treatment with Yescarta usually appear within the first one to two weeks, but some side effects may occur later.
Because of the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, Yescarta is being approved with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), which includes elements to assure safe use (ETASU). The FDA is requiring that hospitals and their associated clinics that dispense Yescarta be specially certified. As part of that certification, staff involved in the prescribing, dispensing or administering of Yescarta are required to be trained to recognize and manage CRS and nervous system toxicities. Also, patients must be informed of the potential serious side effects and of the importance of promptly returning to the treatment site if side effects develop.
To further evaluate the long-term safety, the FDA is also requiring the manufacturer to conduct a post-marketing observational study involving patients treated with Yescarta.
The FDA granted Yescarta Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Yescarta also received Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases. The Yescarta application was reviewed using a coordinated, cross-agency approach. The clinical review was conducted by the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence, while CBER conducted all other aspects of review and made the final product approval determination.
CDC Reports Rising Rates of Drug Overdose Deaths in Rural Areas
Press release issued 10/ 19/ 17
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p1019-rural-overdose-deaths.html
Rates of drug overdose deaths are rising in nonmetropolitan (rural) areas, surpassing rates in metropolitan (urban) areas, according to a new report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury death in the United States, resulting in approximately 52,000 deaths in 2015. This report analyzed trends in illicit drug use and disorders from 2003-2014 and drug overdose deaths from 1999-2015 in urban and rural areas. In 1999, drug overdose death rates for urban areas were higher than in rural areas (6.4 per 100,000 population versus 4.0 per 100,000). The rates converged in 2004, and in 2006 the rural rate began trending higher than the urban rate. In 2015, the most recent year in this analysis, the rural rate of 17.0 per 100,000 remained slightly higher than the urban rate of 16.2 per 100,000.
Urban and rural areas experienced significant increases in the percentage of people reporting past-month illicit drug use. However, there were also significant declines in the percentage of people with drug use disorders among those reporting illicit drug use in the past year. The new findings also show an increase in overdose deaths between 1999 and 2015 among urban and rural residents. This increase was consistent across sex, race, and intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide, or undetermined).
“The drug overdose death rate in rural areas is higher than in urban areas,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. “We need to understand why this is happening so that our work with states and communities can help stop illicit drug use and overdose deaths in America.”
Although the percentage of people reporting illicit drug use is less common in rural areas, the effects of use appear to be greater. The percentage of people with drug use disorders among those reporting past-year illicit drug use were similar in rural and urban areas.
CDC updates guidance for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy
Press release issued 10/ 19/ 17
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p1019-zika-guidance-updated.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued updated interim clinical guidance for health care providers caring for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. This update includes information that has become available since the August 2016 release of the previous guidance.
Zika virus continues to be a public health threat to pregnant women and their infants. Despite the lower number of Zika cases in 2017 than at this time during 2016, Zika cases continue to be reported by many countries around the world. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious damage to the brain of the developing fetus. It can lead to congenital Zika syndrome in babies, a pattern of birth defects that includes brain abnormalities, vision problems, hearing loss, and problems moving limbs. Babies with congenital infection may also appear healthy at birth but have underlying brain defects or other Zika-related health problems.
“There’s a lot we still don’t know about Zika, so it’s very important for us to keep a close eye on these babies as they develop,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. “Learning how best to support them will require a team approach between healthcare providers and families.”
The updated recommendations emphasize that it is important for pediatric health care providers to assess risk of congenital Zika virus infection, to communicate closely with obstetrical providers, and to remain alert for any problems that may develop in infants without birth defects born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy.
Updated guidance for care of infants with possible Zika exposure
To assist health care providers with clinical management decisions, the guidelines define three groups of infants:
Infants with birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy (regardless of the mother’s Zika virus test results).
Infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy.
Infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy but without laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.
The new guidance provides updated information on interpreting laboratory test results for infants and infant follow-up care:
Recommendations for vision and hearing screening have been updated.
Some previously recommended screenings (e.g., thyroid screening, hearing screening at 4- to 6-months of age) are no longer recommended because of a lack of data on whether these screenings are needed.
For infants with birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome, healthcare providers should monitor for an expanded list of potential problems. These include difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, and hydrocephaly (also called water on the brain) after birth. In addition, care and follow-up of these infants no longer depends on the infants’ Zika virus testing results.
Infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy should receive an eye examination by an ophthalmologist.
For infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with exposure to Zika virus but no laboratory evidence, Zika testing and clinical evaluation beyond the standard evaluation and routine preventive care are not routinely recommended.
The updated guidance provides a review of new data and clarification of the guidance for prenatal diagnosis (serial ultrasounds and amniocentesis).
Coordinated care and established medical home recommended
Because the types of services needed to care for infants with congenital Zika syndrome are complex, CDC recommends coordinated care by a multidisciplinary team and an established medical home (an approach to healthcare that helps ensure care is coordinated and infants receive appropriate services). As a critical component of patient care and early identification of any developmental delays, families should be empowered to be active participants in their child’s monitoring and care.
To inform the updated recommendations, CDC, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), hosted clinical experts in August 2017 to review emerging evidence and collect individual expert input regarding the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of infants with possible congenital Zika virus infection. CDC evaluated the evidence and considered individual input when developing the updated interim guidance. Presentations are available: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/training/forum.html. As more information becomes available, this guidance will be updated.
ON THE STATE LEVEL...
DOH: State disciplines health care providers
Press release issued 10/ 19/ 17
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2017NewsReleases/17149DisciplineR1747NewsRelease
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.
The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In October 2017 the secretary of health lifted the license suspension of registered nursing assistant Chelsey Rae Atkins (NA60523460) and fined her $250. She must complete continuing education in errors and mistakes, and in medical records documentation. Atkins’s license was suspended in August 2017 in response to a finding that she neglected a vulnerable adult in her care.
Grays Harbor County
In September 2017 the secretary of health denied a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Amanda Marianne Deubert (CO60745994). Between 2007 and 2015, Deubert was convicted of two felonies and two gross misdemeanors. Deubert didn’t fulfill a requirement to agree to a substance abuse monitoring contract.
King County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for agency-affiliated counselor Ethan William Shurick (CG60436683).
In October 2017 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Nicole Renee Dollarhide (CM60374094) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that Dollarhide tested positive for drugs on two occasions. She allegedly didn’t respond to a Department of Health investigator’s inquiry.
In October 2017 the Medical Commission modified an agreement with physician Arthur K. Zilberstein (MD00035662) to end probation on his credential, and to remove a weekly psychotherapy requirement.
Kitsap County
In October 2017 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Christie Featherstone-Heroux (HM60565194) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while Featherstone-Heroux was providing care for a vulnerable, elderly patient with Alzheimer’s disease, she left the patient alone and unattended for a significant period. She allegedly was highly intoxicated from alcohol while she was in the patient’s home.
Lewis County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for registered nursing assistant applicant and certified nursing assistant Sara Diana Vasquez (NA60339413, NC60358470).
Pierce County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for licensed independent clinical social worker Michael K. Strub (LW00004263).
Spokane County
In October 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jesse Edward Martin (NA60487833) with unprofessional conduct. Martin allegedly didn’t give a resident his seizure medication, but documented that he had.
In October 2017 the Medical Commission ended an agreement that placed conditions on the credential of physician Lewis J. Meline (MD00041815).
In October 2017 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Edwin D. Robins (MD00035964) that places his credential under oversight for at least five years and fines him $4,000. The physician must cooperate with a clinical skills assessment and recommendation. He must also complete ethics courses, have his lab undergo inspections, and submit to practice reviews. Robins provided substandard treatment and consultation to patients at a reproductive health center he owned, and employed unqualified personnel.
Out of State
California: In October 2017 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a registered nurse credential to Mariya Igor Fair (RN60320185) and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Fair is in a California diversion program for a substance abuse disorder.
Minnesota: In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional, independent clinical social worker associate, and independent clinical social worker Coy Robert Osgood (CP60065645, SC60229390, LW60496502).
Oregon: In October 2017 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant credential of Rogeanna Sue Hug (NC10091783), which was suspended in 2012 after a resident she transferred by herself fell and was injured.
World and National news headlines from Reuters...
Spain urges Catalonia secessionists to obey Madrid
BARCELONA (Reuters) - The Spanish government has urged Catalonians to accept direct control from Madrid and ignore instructions from the restive region’s secessionist leadership once it has been removed from power.
Abe to push reform of Japan's pacifist constitution after ruling bloc election win
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc was headed for a big win in Sunday’s election, bolstering his chance of becoming the nation’s longest serving premier and reenergizing his push to revise the pacifist constitution.
Trump video played at hurricane relief concert
(Reuters) - In a rare show of unity, U.S. President Donald Trump praised all five of his living predecessors on Saturday, thanking them in a video for their work helping to raise funds to aid victims of recent hurricanes.
U.S. warns public about attacks on energy, industrial firms
(Reuters) - The U.S government issued a rare public warning that sophisticated hackers are targeting energy and industrial firms, the latest sign that cyber attacks present an increasing threat to the power industry and other public infrastructure.
NEWS ARTICLE COMMENTARY
PDN NEWS ARTICLE: Second-class city measure debated before Port Angeles Business Association
PORT ANGELES — The campaign for Port Angeles to revert back to a second-class city has been fueled with misinformation, David Mabrey said during a forum Tuesday.
Mabrey, who has been outspoken at public meetings over the last two years, challenged most claims made by Edna Willadsen, an Our Water, Our Choice! organizer and a Proposition 1 proponent at the forum before the Port Angeles Business Association.
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/politics/second-class-city-measure-debated-before-port-angeles-business-association/
Editorial Comment: As I said many times, even though at the time of this move was thought up, the city wasn't hearing the public regarding fluoridation, and after several rounds of ethics complaints, the only option at that time was to change form of government, because the city council didn't listen to the majority of citizens who opposed the continuing adding fluoride to the water supply, in a citizen advisory vote to utility customers, of which not all voters were included, at least those who live in government subsidized housing . It came down to the Mayor Pat Downie coming up with the compromise to add the issue of fluoride to the November ballot Prop. 2, that made the whole idea of changing our status as a city, in my book. Yes, I did sign the petition going around at that time, I only did it to send the message that the city listen and not go against their word in abiding to the will of the people. I have a hunch that those who sign that petitions in the middle of last year probably changed their minds of changing the status now that Prop 2 is now on the ballot, regarding fluoridation.
THIS WEEK'S BIBLE STUDY
From Gospel Way: How Can You Find the True Church?
Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 that He would build His church. Today many different religious groups exist, but what should you look for in order to find the church that Jesus built? In Matthew 15:9 He said: "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." So Jesus' church should follow Jesus' teachings, not the doctrines of men. What is Jesus' will for the church?
To begin with, the New Testament church worshiped God in five ways. Acts 2:42 says they studied the teachings revealed by the apostles, they prayed, and they had the breaking of bread or the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Other passages show that they also sang songs of praise to God (vocal music) and they took up a collection each first day of the week to support the work of the church - Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 16:2. Is this what is done by the church you attend?
https://www.gospelway.com/topics/church/finding_jesus_church.art.php
