09/06/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Bob Martens, 1457 East 22nd, read results of the last fluoride election e by percentages by wards. He noted the low turnout profile in the City for special elections, i.e., the Civic Center Commission, and the recent City budget election. He did not want to see the Council place the issue on the ballot, as he felt that would be unfair to allow the proponents to use the bureaucratic system. He felt they should have to use the same process as the opponents to this issue did in order to place it on the ba 11 ot. Minnie Schmidt, 2605 Lawrence, felt the City Council should remove itself from the business of putting fluoride issues on the ballot. She read an article from the Oregonian newspaper reqarding the harmful effects of fluoride. She objected to fluoride because of the ill effects to persons. She felt having fluoride in the water would infringe on the rights of people who did not want it. She would like for Council not to place the issue on the ballot now or at any other time. r.ls. Herman Hendershott, 2288 Potter, showed pi ctures of the harmful effects of fluoride on animals. .She referred to a case being heard in Pittsburgh which may have dynamic imoact on fluoride in water systems. She cited scientific evidence against the use of fluoride. Rega rdi ng a vote now, she felt it would be unfair to place the issue on the ballot when those against having fluoride had had to work very hard and spend large amounts of money to have it placed on the ballot. She felt that would be undemocratic, and the proponents should have to go through the same process. -- Mr. Delay moved to table the issue. Ms. Benjamin explained to Council that would leave an old fluoride ordinance section in the code, and it was necessary for Council, in any event, to repeal that particular section of the code relating to fluoridated water. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by ~1r. Li eua 11 en, to select a set of actions which would repeal the fluoride section from the code and fail to place the issue on the ballot. Mr. Oelay, with consent of the second, withdrew his motion. C. B. 1754--Relating to fluoridation of domestic water supply of the City; repealing Ord. No. 17594 and present Section 2.916 of Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency was read by council bill number and title only, there being no Councilor present requesting that it be read in full. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unani- mous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. e 9/6/78--5 ~O8