PORT ANGELES — Whether the city should become the state’s 53rd community to fluoridate its water system is the question facing the City Council tonight and Thursday.
The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
It will adjourn sometime around 10 p.m., then continue on Thursday from 6 p.m. to about 10 p.m.
The seven-member City Council will sit as a jury while the two sides of the fluoridation debate each present three hours of testimony and rebuttal over eight hours on the two nights.
The City Council has not indicated whether it intends to decide the issue Thursday night or adjourn for deliberation and make a decision later.
If it does rethink the issue, it will be the second official council action.
The City Council voted 6-1 on Feb. 18, 2003, to accept a Washington Dental Services Foundation grant of as much as $260,000 for installation of a water fluoridation system and public education efforts.
Appeal of finding
The two-day hearing is an appeal of the city Community Development Department’s finding in March that fluoridation of the city’s water supply poses no significant environmental threat.
That finding is disputed by the groups Protect the Peninsula’s Future and Clallam County Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, plus Blyn physician Eloise Kailin and Port Angeles resident Barney Munger.
The appeal document asks that the city community development director issue a “determination of significance” and require an environmental-impact statement.
The appeal will focus on fluorosilicic acid, the city’s chosen method for fluoridating its water supply, according to Kailin.
