HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1967 Special Meeting 3vo Ni
SEPTEMBER 21, 1967 .
SPECIAL MEETING, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1967, $:30 A.M.
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The City Council met on this date pursuant the call for a Special Meeting, Mayor Larson
convening the meeting at $:3 A.M., Councilmen Brown, Kurbitz, Lynch, McNeice and Robinson,
City Manager McMicken and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Councilman Lambert
absent on roll call. It was MOVED by Robinson, seconded by Brown that Councilman Lambert
be excused from this meeting: carried, Brown, Kurbitz, Larson, Lynch, McNeice and Robinson
voting aye by voice vote.
The matter of the Fluoridation Petition having been continued to this meeting, it was MOVED
by Brown, seconded by Robinson that Resolution No. D -1125 requesting the Auditor to hold a
special election on the matter of amending the City Charter to prohibit fluoridation, be
passed as read: carried, Brown, Kurbitz, Larson, Lynch, McNeice and Robinson voting aye on
roll call. Lambert absent. City Attorney Andrews explained that on September 15, 1967, a
petition was filed with the City Clerk, which petition contains 'a number of valid signa-
tures in excess of the requirements of applicable laws and is otherwise valid in that it
meets requirements of applicable laws. Councilman Lynch read a statement prepared by him .
stating his views on this matter as follows: •
"9 -20 -67 .
"It seems to me that the petition that has been placed with the Council is one of
the most insidious and dishonest schemes that has ever come before this Body. It
was not enough for a petition to be circulated in the community for the purpose of
placing the question of fluoridation on the ballot, but one that will in addition '
destroy the democratic process of city government. To attempt to forever prevent
the addition of chemicals to the water supply of Yakima must be the purpose of cer-
tain people opposing any water treatment at all, including Chlorination. I'm sure
that most of the people who signed this petition were led to believe that it was
intended to permit fluoridation of Yakima's water supply if the vote showed a
majority of people in favor of fluoridation; but this petition does not intend to
permit this. . If this initiative passes the City Charter would be changed. Then
if in the future, a chemical appeared that would show promise for the prevention'
of any disease, it could not be a part of water treatment under this proposed
change. Fluoride has proven to be i00% safe when used in proper amounts. It is
effective, inexpensive and easily added for prevention of tooth decay and yet this
petition purports to prevent fluoridation because the requirements of safety have
not been satisfied. The City Charter must be left as it is now. To hamstring
future Councils from exercising good judgement and making wise decisions smacks
of autocracy and indicates short- sighted thinking, emotional thinking, and lack of
faith in duly elected officials. The children of Yakima deserve the benefits of
fluoride, and the citizens of Yakima deserve to vote on a measure that would not
be deceptive and easily misinterpreted. I sincerely hope that the people who are
interested in dental health, those who are interested in maintaining our present
City Charter, and those who believe in our Representative form of Government, as
well as those who believe in fair play; will make the necessary effort to defeat
this proposition on November 7th.
Robert R. Lynch, Councilman, City. of Yakima."
Several members of the. Citizen's Committee Opposed to Compulsory Fluoridation, who had
prepared and circulated this petition, were present to speak for the passage of this
Resolution and against fluoridation. Mr. Laurence Robinson stated that there was no effort
to cover up any issue and that they had used no subterfuge in obtaining signatures, but
that their committee wanted to be sure that the people will have the last say in whether
or not fluoride should be added to the City water. He further stated that this does not
mean that the people at any time in the future cannot vote this measure out or amend the
charter again. Mrs. Evalyn Pflueger, Chairman of this Committee, stated that when the
question of fluoridation had first come to the attention of the Council through a letter
from Dr. Carlson and they tabled the matter instead of bringing it to a vote of the people,
and she had written a letter requesting a hearing and was not answered, that she felt it
was necessary to do something. She further stated that they realize that this Council woulc
not pass fluoridation without a vote of the people, but that does not mean that some Coun-
cil sometime in the future would not. Mrs. Pflueger stated that amending the Charter
according to this petition, merely is a means of assuring the people that they will have
an opportunity to vote on the measure. Dr. Carlson, speaking against this petition, stated
that he agrees with Councilman Lynch's statement. He further stated that there are many
chemicals in water treatment plants, which could be eliminated should this pass, and it
might even eliminate water softeners. He also stated that fluoride has been proven safe and
absolutely necessary for the production of bones and teeth. Dr. Carlson stated that as far
as the possibility of people understanding what they are voting on, that whether a person
is for or against fluoridation, this petition is too misleading, and that it is too diffi-
cult to interpret it intelligently, even if a person understood all the facets of fluori-
dation. Mayor Larson explained that when the matter of fluoridation of City water had been
brought before this Council, it had been tabled until someone came forward with a request
for some kind of action, which would call for a hearing. He also stated that anyone is.
welcome at any time to come to the Council meetings and be heard on any subJect. Mayor
Larson stated that the proposition is not worded correctly and could cloud the entire issue
of fluoridation. Councilman Robinson stated that he was disappointed that the subject of
fluoridation might occasion a charter amendment, that it could have been handled without
amending the charter.
RESOLUTION NO. D -1125, A RESOLUTION providing for the submission to the electors of the
City of Yakima, Washington, at the municipal election to be held on November 7, 1967, of
a proposition as to whether Article IX, "Public Utilities ", of the Yakima City Charter,
shall be amended.
The other matter to be brought out at this Special Meeting, that of the filing of an
annexation petition, Public Works Director, John Mayo, stated that this petition has not
been received.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 1967
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Kurbitz,
seconded by Robinson that we do now adjourn at the hour of 9:45 A.M.: carried, Brown,
Kurbitz, Larson, Lynch, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Lambert absent.
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