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Peninsula Daily News August 4, 2016 | 75¢
Port Angeles-Sequim-West End
Fluoridation ends in PA Advisory vote to be held in 15 months
BY PAUL GOTTLIEB PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Fluoridation of the Port Angeles municipal water supply stopped Wednesday morning — at least until after a Nov. 7, 2017 advisory vote. That’s when voters will tell the City Council their preference for or against fluoridation in an advisory election that the council members voted to accept as bind-
prevent dental disease. Downie joined council members Lee Whetham, Michael Merideth and Sissi Bruch to stop putting fluorosilicic acid in the city’s water and to hold the advisory election.
ing in a 4-3 vote Tuesday. Mayor Patrick Downie, who voted Dec. 15 to continue fluoridation, sided Tuesday with council members who have voted against it after presenting the proposal. The three-part decision stops fluoridation, calls for the vote, and pledges that council members will abide by it. The historic decision changes a 10-year-old city practice of fluoridating the city’s water supply to
Voted against stopping 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. Downie quoted extensively July 19 from a Peninsula Daily News editorial that urged a binding advisory vote. The editorial
did not recommend that fluoridation should stop. Downie reiterated Tuesday that his plan was “intended to be a compromise” in the face of deep community division over fluoridation that has spawned four ethics complaints against council members and repeated, intense City Council public comment sessions over the last year. Fluorosilicic acid is no longer being added to the water supply as of Wednesday but will remain in the water for four or five days, said Craig Fulton, public works director. He added that fluoride occurs naturally in the Elwha River, from which the city draws its water. Patrick Downie TURN TO FLUORIDE/A5 Mayor of Port Angeles
Richards waits for opponent
Riding with the WDFW police
Race for other spot too close to call BY JESSE MAJOR
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
STEVE MULLENSKY/FOR PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
State Department of Fish and Wildlife officer Bryan Davidson checks the license of Beth Brimm, of Arlington while partner Sgt. Kit Rosenberger checks her husband Jay’s license. The couple was fishing in Marine Area 9 on Friday. For the complete story, see page B1.
PORT ANGELES — Democrat Ron Richards is poised to have a place on the Nov. 8 general election ballot for the Port Angeles-area District 2 Clallam County commission race, but the identity of his opponent is still too close to call. Richards was the top ALSO . . . choice in the first count of ■ For news primary election ballots Tueson statewide day , garnering 1,220 votes, or races, see 37.54 percent, but indepenpage/A6 dent Randy Johnson and Republican Gabe Rygaard are close as ballots continue to come into the Auditor’s office. Johnson earned 805 votes, or 24.77 percent, and Rygaard won 717 votes, or 22.06 percent — a difference of 88 votes. If the positions stay the same as more votes are counted this week in the all-mail election, Richards and Johnson will face off in the fall. TURN
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CLALLAM/A4
Chapman, Vrable appear headed to election Peninsula residents vie for seats BY PAUL GOTTLIEB
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Judging by Tuesday night’s primary results, the North Olympic Peninsula appears on its way to having residents occupy all three seats in the 24th District’s state legislative delegation. Early results of district-wide balloting show the Nov. 8 general election line-up to be candidates from Clallam and Jefferson counties. Legislative District 24 covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and about a third of Grays Harbor County.
just pleasantly surprised and very appreciative to move forward,” Chapman said Wednesday. “I’m just going to work hard Votes will be tallied again Friand keep talking about what my day in the three counties. Four-term Democratic Clallam goals are and folks can decide to County Commissioner Mike support me or not.” Chapman of Port Angeles won 10,382 votes, or 46 percent, of the Concentrating efforts votes district-wide in the initial Chapman said in coming count of ballots Tuesday. weeks leading to the Nov. 8 genPort Ludlow Republican eral election that he will concenGeorge Vrable has won the other trate his door-belling energies priposition on the November ballot marily on Grays Harbor County, with 8,659 votes, or 37 percent. where Vrable bested him, and Hoquiam Democrat Tammy Ramsay won 3,999 votes, or 18 Jefferson County, Clallam’s neighbor. percent of the votes cast. Vrable said Wednesday he feels good about advancing to the ‘Pleasantly surprised’ general election. “As far as my chances go, you “I’m not necessarily surprised,
SAVE THE DATE
Chapman
Vrable
are not talking to a longtime politician,” he said. “I have a feeling for what I want for our country, our state, our district, and I believe in what I say, and I believe in our country.” Chapman won the top number of votes in Clallam County, with 5,020 votes, or 49 percent, to
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RACE/A4
100th year, 185th issue — 2 sections, 18 pages
(to provide scholarships to local high school seniors) 1st Prize $5,000
2nd Prize $3,000 & 3rd Prize $2,000
681658192
Saturday, September 3rd 10:30 am-6pm BANDS/BEER & WINE GARDEN/FOOD COURT/KIDS ACTIVITIES/VOLLEYBALL
TURN
INSIDE TODAY’S Peninsula Daily News
ANNUAL RAFFLE
Tickets are $5 each available from Nor’Wester Rotary members and at Jim’s Pharmacy. Drawing will be held at 4:30 pm at the Jammin’ in the Park event, Port Angeles Waterfront. Need not be present to win. We appreciate the continued support!
Vrable’s 4,019 votes, or 39 percent, and Ramsay’s 1,280 votes, or 12 percent. He also took 50 percent of the vote in Jefferson County, where he won 3,813 votes, to Vrable’s 2,285 votes, or 30 percent, and Ramsay’s 1,550 votes, or 20 percent. Vrable took the top number of votes in Ramsay’s home turf of Grays Harbor County. There, Vrable had 2,057 votes, or 43 percent, to Chapman’s 1,549 votes, or 32 percent and Ramsay’s 1,169 votes, or 24 percent. The two other 24th District races had only two candidates each who will automatically advance to the general election.
BUSINESS CLASSIFIED COMICS COMMENTARY DEAR ABBY DEATHS HOROSCOPE LETTERS NATION/WORLD
A6 B5 B4 A7 B4 A6 B4 A7 A3
PENINSULA POLL A2 PUZZLES/GAMES A6, B6 SPORTS B1 WEATHER B10