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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM020987 ~a- ~~' .' ~, '\ ~"fi~~~;E;:":~~~::=ill== . _. III _I 1_ iii' 3EFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS I _ _I ,. DB' District No. 1 Commissioner: Larry W. Dennison, Chairman 1 .- RB' District No. 2 Commissioner: B.G. Brown, Member I .. _I District No. 3 Commissioner: George C. Brown, Member I" ., 1- __I Clerk of the Board: 3e~dine C. Bragg , .. _, Public Works Director: Gary A. Rowe I II1II ., 1- iii' .. M I NUT E S Week of February 9, 1987 ' The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry W. Dennison in the presence of Commissioner B.G. Brown and Commissioner George Brown. 3erry Getz re~ Lease of 3akewav property; Wetlands in Quilcene: Mr. Getz asked if the County was considering leasing, for a five year period, some wetland property in Quilcene that is now owned by Griffith Short? Chairman Dennison responded that a number of options were .discussed for the future of the Quilcene Bay Water Quality project and leasing these wetlands was one. The Chairman went on to explained that the property discussed is considered an important wetl~nd and there is quite a bit of evidence that wetlands serve an important role in purifying water before it enters the bay. If that wetland could be preserved as a wetland, it is felt that it would regenerate and ultimately solve some of the pollution problems in Quilcene Bay. The Water Quality staff is looking into the funding options available for purchasing or leasing this property. " REARING re:Proposed Ordinance Amendina Ordinance No.2-77~ 3efferson County Health Department Rules and Reaulations for On-Site Sewaae Disposal Systems: Planning Director, David Goldsmith explained that the State regulations that deal with on-site sewage disposal systems define three different parties that can design such systems: 1) a Registered professional Engineer, 2) a Registered Sanitarian and 3) a Designer approved through some kind of testing procedure. 3efferson County does not have a testing procedure established yet and this amendment to Ordinance 2-77 would allow designers that have been tested and certified by another County to operate within 3efferson County. It will also allow people in 3efferson County who would like to become certified designers to go to a County that gives the test and apply, be tested, and become certified. Chairman Dennison then opened the hearing and asked for public comment for or against the proposed amendment. There being no one present to speak for or against the proposed amendment, Chairman Dennison closed the hearing. David Goldsmith added that he and the Environmental Health Director had met with the Board of Realtors as well as septic system installers and explained these proposed changes. Both groups were in favor of the changes. Roy Robeck, who came in late, spoke in favor of the proposed amendment but expressed concern that the public could still be denied on-site sewage for a site even after spending all the money necessary for this process. The odds for approval should be better, Bill Glasser, Environmental Health Director added, but a designed system can still bedenied approval. There are no guarantees, even with this system. ~... 13 tACt I=- 474 ./ Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 2 Commissioner B.G. Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 1-87 to Amend Ordinance No. 2-77 Health Department Rules and Regulations for On-Site Sewage Disposal as proposed. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. Bill Glasser, Environmental Health Director, Health Department re: Matters of Concern: Asbestos Removal - Brinnon Senior center Clallam CountiesSeptaae Disposal ProQram: Mr. Glasser reported on the following items for the Board's information: 1) He Discussed with Mr. Pollack, project manager, for the Brinnon Senior Center Project the adherence to good management practices regarding the asbestos abatement project for this facility, specifically: a) Using personal protective equipment', b) wetting the material prior to its' removal, c) double bagging the removed material prior to disposal and d) conducting post abatement air sampling to determine any hazards created by abatement. Mr. Pollack has agreed to do these things. 2) He has reviewed the Clallam County program for septage disposal as presented to the Health Board last year and feels that it is a good program. 3efferson County needs to find a suitable alternative to dumping septage in the County landfill. A decision needs to be made regarding the County's participation in the Clallam County project because if we want to be involved we must inform ClallamCounty before the siting and size estimates for septage storage and disposal are made. Bill Glasser will research more information on this project and its' proposed' costs. The Board will meet with Mr. Glasser and representatives of the company that is planning Clallam County's project on February 18, 1987 at 9:00 a.m. Bill pOllack re: Bid Calls (2) for Brinnon Senior Center: Mr. Pollack presented Bid Calls for the Board to approve for the following items on the Brinnon Senior Center Project: Installation of the On-site sewage disposal ,system and structural repair of the building. Commissioner George Brown moved to approve and sign the call for bids and set the bid opening for the installation of the On-site sewage disposal system for the Brinnon Senior Center for March 2, 1987 at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. The bid call was approved and the bid opening set for the structural repairs on the existing wood frame building of the Brinnon Senior Center project for March 2, 1987 at 11:15 a.m. by motion of Commissioner B.G. Brown, seconded by Commissioner George Brown. The specifications that were drawn up by the project architect will be available in the Commissioners' Office or from Mr. Pollack. Ole Brekke asked that assurance be given that the project will proceed in a reasonable and prudent manner, and that anything to the contrary receive immediate action. Mr. Brekke also asked that those responsible for any delay be held accountable. BUSINESS FROM COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AGREEMENT re: InterQovernmental Cooperative Purchase; Kitsap County: Gary Rowe, Public Works Director, reported,that this agreement is necessary to allow the purchase of a brush cutter from the Kitsap County bid process. This agreement is notspecific!just for the brush cutter and could also be used if Kitsap County has gone to bid for other equipment that the County needs. Commissioner B.G. Brown moved I to approve and sign the Intergovernmental Agreement:with Kitsap County I for Cooperative Purchasing. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. lVOl 13 uCfl~~U475 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 3 Call for Bids and Plans; Asbestos Abatement Project = Courthouse: After Gary Rowe reviewed the plans with the Board, Commissioner B. G. Brown moved to approve the plans, call for bid and set the bid opening for the asbestos abatement work for February 23, 1987 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. ADPlicat10n to Open Right of Wav= Chimacum; Walter K.. Shold: Mr. Shold is applying to open right of way on Coldwell Street and an alley in Chimacum across the Highway from Nancy's Place. Mr. Shold wants to remove some trees in the right of way that are close to falling down. There is no need at this time, Gary Rowe stated, to require him to bring the right of way up to County standards until he receives approval from the Planning Department to go ahead with a commercial development he is proposing for this property. Commissioner B.G. Brown moved and Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion to approve the Request to Open right-of-way on Coldwell Street and the alley south of the center of Block 26 as requested by Walter K. Shold. Call for Bids: Used Truck: Commissioner George Brown moved to approve the call for bids and set the bid opening for the Used 1975 or newer truck on February 23, 1987 at 2:00 p.m. Commissioner B. G. Brown seconded the motion. Purchase of Vehicles from the State Contract: Gary Rowe asked for approval to purchase the following vehicles through the State Purchasing Division: 1) Small utility vehicle - 1987 3eep Cherokee 4x4 - $10,784.95: This vehicle would be used by the Road Maintenance Superintendent because it will stand up better to the type of activity for which it is needed. After considerable discussion of the vehicle and the need for it, Commissioner George Brown moved to approve the purchase as requested. Commissioner B.G.Brown seconded the motion. 2) Small pickup, Extended Cab, 4x4 - Chevy S10 - $9,231.00: This vehicle would be used to do field inspection work and Engineer's inspection work. Gary Rowe reported. Commissioner George Brown moved to approve the purchase as requested. Commissioner B.G. Brown seconded the motion. 3) One ton cab and chassis: This truck would be used for maintenance of signs. Gary will check into the need for a one ton truck for this work. PLANNING/BUILDING DEPARTMENT Uearina Notice re: ReQUest for Emeraency Budaet Aooropriation= Plannina/BuildinaDepartment: Commissioner B.G. Brown moved and Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion to approve and sign Resolution No. 8"':87 Hearing Notice for an Emergency Budget Appropriation for the Planning/Building Department. The hearing was set for February 23, 1987 at 3:00 p.m. CONTRACT re: Personal Services; Arnold Brvant for Buildina Inspection Services: The personal services contract with Arnold W. Bryant to provide BUilding Inspection services was approved by motion of Commissioner B.G. Brown, seconded by Commissioner George Brown. Subdivision Variance Request= Linda Sloan. Hidden Trails Road; Short Subdivision Application No. SP5-86: This request for a variance from the short plat regulations, David Goldsmith reported is tvOL 13 fACtl:0476 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 4 to allow a thirty foot access easement instead of the required sixty foot access easement for Lot 2 of the Short Plat. The Planning Commission and the Public Works Department have reviewed the request and recommend its' approval. Commissioner B.G. Brown moved to grant the variance as recommended. Commissioner B. G. Brown then amended his motion to reflect that a condition be added that a turn around be ,provided and maintained at the end of the thirty foot easement. . Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion and the amended motion. Shoreline Determination: Roaers Street Bridae: Planning Director David Goldsmith reported that the Rodgers Street Bridge removal project is within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Shoreline Management Act. The Public Works Department has asked that the bridge removal project be granted a variance from these regulations. David Goldsmith presented the following findings: 1) The bridge removal project is not exempt. 2) The project must receive approval from the State Departments of Fisheries and Game and be issued a hydraulics permit. 3) The removal of the bridge will not be injurious to the shoreline, in fact it will help restore it to its' original configuration. 4) The Board held a public meeting on 3anuary 12, 1987 to notify the public of the removal project and it was a consensus of the public that the bridge be removed. Mr. Goldsmith then recommended that a.n administrative variance be granted by the Board for this project. Commissioner B.G. Brown moved to grant a variance for the Rodgers Street Bridge Removal project from the permit application requirements of Section VI of the 3efferson/Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master Program because the Board has been assured that the variance is in keeping with the general intent of the Master Program of the Shoreline Management Act. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. HUMAN SERVICES Chip Barker. Ella Sandvia and Penny Hubbard. Human Services DeDartment re: Fire in County owned Apartment above Boiler Room at Hospital (802 Sheridan): Chip Barker reported that there was a fire at the apartment over the boiler room at the Hospital that Human Services rents from the County. The tenant, who is under the care of the Human Services Department, Mental Health counselling, purposely set the fire in an attempt to kill himself. The staff does not feel that this tenantfs act was due to a lack of supervision or training on the part of the Mental Health Counselling staff and asked that the Board allow the continued use of this facility for this mental health program. The Department will work with the Public Works Department to put the apartment back into a usable state. The Insurance Inspector has looked at the apartment and will be making a report later on their determination. Concern was expressed by the insurance carrier regarding the circumstances surrounding the fire. Nothing can be done until the insurance company advises the County what their determination is regarding this claim. Mr. Barker asked the Board for their feelings regarding the future of this semi-independent living bed program? Chairman Dennison stated that his feeling is that as long as the County continues to have insurance coverage for this apartment, he sees no problem with continuing the program. * * * The meeting was recessed and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. in the Chimacum School Auditorium with all Board members in attendance for the following hearing. lVot. 13 rACE ~:'~477 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 5 REARING re: Prooosed'Resolution Desianatina 3efferson County as a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone: Approximately ~20interested area residents were present when Chairman Dennison opened the hearing to take testimony regarding the proposed resolution designating 3efferson County as a "Nuclear Weapons Free Zone." Chairman Dennison welcomed everyone to this second hearing in a series of three being held on this issue and introduced the other two Commissioners. He then read the proposed resolution. The issue the Chairman clarified, is the storage of nuclear weapons in 3efferson County. It doesn't just relate to the proposal to expand Indian Island. He then asked if anyone had any questions regarding the purpose of the resolution? A man asked if the nuclear issue was resolved with respect to Indian Island, so that it doesn't exist, if the referendum vote mentioned in the Bremerton Sun on Sunday, would deal with the nuclear issue and not with the expansion of Indian Island? Commissioner Dennison stated that that is true. The man then asked if Commissioner Dennison was willing to go on record as being in full support of the expansion of the conventional weapons storage on Indian Island? Commissioner Dennison said that he is willing to go on record as having no problem with that on the surface. He is not willing to say he is in full support of it until he sees plans. Another man asked Commissioner Dennison if he was saying that he does not want any nuclear defense on Indian Island? He stated that he does not want nuclear weapons stored on Indian Island. When Commissioner Dennison was asked if he is representing the County or his own personal views on this issue he responded that he is representing the viewpoint that he feels is the majority viewpoint in 3efferson County. Ken McMillen asked if there is an initiative process within the County where, if the majority of the people want something they sign up for it, and if so, why was a resolution put before the Board of County Commissioners instead of an initiative of the people? Commissioner Dennison stated th~t there is no legal initiative process in a non- Charter county. An issue can be put on the ballot as an advisory vote. After discussion of the issue of whether the people that signed the petitions that have circulated around the County are residents of the County and/or registered voters, Commissioner Dennison advised that there is nothing on the petitions that gives that information. The discussion then continued regarding the legislative nature and Commissioner Dennison's st~ted bias on the issue; why this issue surfaced right after the last election; the conduct of the hearing and having anyone who speaks state if they are a registered voter and a County resident. The Chairman then asked those speakers who made presentations at the last hearing to limit themselves to new information, different testimony or wait to testify until after everyone else has had a chance. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes. THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF EACH SPEAKERS PRESENTATION Paul Anderson: (Opposed) Resident and registered voter. Mr. Anderson stated' that he is a veteran who fought in WWII, "so that you people could have a good place to live in. If you decide to take nuclear power away from us, how long do you think it would be before Russia takes over this County? It's only two miles from Russia to Alaska. I'd do a lot of things before I'd kick nuclear power out of this United States." Gordon Maul: (In favor) Registered voter. The reasons Mr. Maul supports the resolution are: liThe future when you talk about nuclear materials is the concept of the half life, which is the time required for a radioactive element to lose half of its' initial radioactivity. PlutonJ,um 239 has a 24,400 year half life, which means that if it gets out it you'd have to wait at least 250,000 years before it to decays to the point of being safe. There is no margin for error when you're dealing with substances this lethal and this long lived. Nuclear accidents are going to happen and are going to continue to happen and t VOl 13 UCE Ii-J) 478 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 6 will have health and environmental consequences for thousands and thousands of years. We need to take a strong stand against nuclear materials in 3efferson County, now." Don Ash: (Opposed) Registered voter of 3efferson County, Precinct 705. Mr. Ash stated that in the last fifteen years he has seen the citizenry of this County change from what he considered normal people to some of the most lunatic radicals on the right side of conservatism that he's ever seen in his life. "I was also in WWII and remembers how well we were prepared for war. I never want to'see this country in that kind of shape again, to defend itself, because we did nearly loose our freedom then. These are matters that belong to our defense department and to the federal government. I don't believe it belongs to our County Commissioners who have so many other worries. Frank Reithel: (In favor) Mr. Reithel stated that he lives on Marrowstone and is a registered voter. Mr Reithel added one suggestion which he said represents his attitude, "It would be even more desireable to declare this a County to be kept free of uranium or plutonium devices, that includes nuclear reactors. In the larger view it may not be the weaponry that is so danger for us, but those radioactive atoms that produce such deadly radiation. There is a substantial body of informed opinion that considers nuclear weapons as useless because their use is suicidal. I quite understand,soine of you who have concerns for defense, but I sincerely question that a nuclear weapon is a means of defense. It's a means of committing suicide. More over the production and handling of Uranium 238 and Plutonium in such large quantities can involve accidents. Those who have attempted to trivialize a nuclear incident are only here to testify because they are fortunate. Those less fortunate are not alive to testify. It is my view that there is no justification in any development that subjects us to a risk of radioactive death. There is one more point I wish to make, if you have visited Russia and you have compared their situation with our very much superior situation, you would not have very much fear of being overcome by the Russians. It's a sad comparison." Miriam Smith: (In favor) Resident of West Valley Road and a Registered Voter. "It's my opinion that a lot of the actions that our government has taken lately have not been defensive they've been offensive. I'm sure I'm not alone in that feeling. I thinks it would be really hard to weigh the impact of a twenty million dollar expansion on an area like Chimacum and Hadlock. I'm for the initiative, but I'm more supportive of Al Swift's request to have the Navy withdraw their request for funds." Gene Seton: (Opposed) Mr. Seton stated that he lives at Four Corners and'is a registered voter. "A statement was made that if a bomb was dropped on Bangor we wouldn't have to worry about it, and that is my feeling on this whole issue. I thinks we've dredged up something that maybe is a little bit late, because it makes very little difference to me if those bombs are at Bangor or on Indian Island, they're twenty miles apart. If they bomb one of them they're going to hit us. I think to say that we want a Nuclear Free Zone in3efferson County when we already got it right across from us now, and we're talking about the nuclear items that are the safest and not the' nuclear power plants that are more dangerous, I believe we ought to take another look at this thing. Especially, when then County needs progress. It needs jobs." Paul Werschkull: (Inravor) Mr. Werschkull stated he is a Nordland resident and registered voter. He then congratulated the Commissioners for providing' an opportunity for citizen response. "There has been some sentiment that objection to nuclear weapons is unpatriotic. Stifling of opposition leads to the type of government that most of us oppose. Writing letters to members of Congress ignores the fact that single letters do not have the effect of community action and such action should accompany letter to our Congressmen." TeriChoate: (Opposed) Teri Choate stated that she is from Port Townsend and is a registered voter. "Eastern 3efferson County's geographic location makes the question of a nuclear free ordinance :VOL 13 rAct:=-0479 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 7 moot. It's a distraction from some very real questions that 3efferson County has: unemployment, under employment, people who or hungry, money that we don't have for improvements to our public schools, public roads, our police system. The Navy's presence, it's increased presence in 3efferson County would help this community. There isn't a single person who supports them (nuclear weapons) but they are a factor here. We're not going to deal with them by saying, hey, across this little County border you're not going to come. I think that's a mistake. I also feel that this should be an initiative and should go to a public vote of the entire community and not just you gentlemen." Linda Sexton: (In fayor) . "Defense spending has been excessive. I will continue to work for a more valid and humane set of spending priorities. It is time to break up the irrational cycle of escalation. (Ms. Sexton's testimony was hard to understand on the tape). I beg each and everyone of you to not waste life ....." Ed McMinn: (Opposed) 730 , Port Townsend. "I'm not beating the drum for or against nuclear weapons. As long as Russia has nuclear weapons I would hate for us to lay down our toys and leave it up to them to ply their trade. That's why I'm against this resolution." Rob Marean: (In favor) liThe things that are really important to me are intangible, invisible. Things like love, hope, and faith. Love of my family, my country, my world; faith in a whole bunch of people. all one spirit, living on one small planet. I hope that wefll all come to realize that before we do something that we will regret. The only real spirit is love, and I'm sure the Russian parents love their children just as much as I love mine. So, I'm sure the Russian people want peace just as much as I do. The Russians are not my enemies. In fact, the 'Russian people have the same enemy that I do, the same enemies that have plagued human kind since time began: ignorance, fear, prejudice, disease and hunger. The billions and billions of dollars spent on weapons is completely wasted because it has done nothing to eradicate these enemies or eradicate human suffering. In fact it's my contention that weapons promote human suffering. Weapons are not the solution, weapons are the problem. Only people can stop wars, and that's why its' important for we the people to stop the weapons of wars." Chuck O'Connor: (Opposed) Resident and registered voter. IlWhen will the Board vote on this resolution?" (Chairman Dennison responded that the Board will vote on this resolution whenever it is brought back onto the table. After the final hearing). "There is on the books of the State of Washington an appearance of fairness doctrine. According to RCW 42.36.080, I am officially notifying the County Commissioners that I believe that your Chairman, Larry Dennison, can not deal with this matter in a fair manner, based upon, not only what he said here tonight, but admitted that he has an opinion. He has every right to his opinion, but I've been rather amazed if not appalled and at least disappointed at, particularly the Chairman of a governing body taking the lead in an issue of this nature.1l Hal Sweren: (In favor) IlThere have been a lot of armament related nuclear accidents. Therefs been an H bomb dropped in South Carolina, six or seven devices went off in 1961 after being dropped from an aircraft, etc. The ethical consideration and how it ties in with us making history, I'm taking a stand in favor of it. I'd much rather that we spend all of the military budget on alternative technologies on increasing our capacity on mining the ocean. By taking a positive stand on this resolution we'll be able to come clear and de-polarize the issue and not continue on the lines of a dilemma. II Chuck Russell: (Opposed) Resident, registered voter. "Many of us are here after spending a day at work, have made an extreme effort to attend this meeting, to show our support for our government and for Indian Island's expansion. It's no secret to anyone that the Soviet presence in the North Pacific is growing. Our trades routes with the Orient and Alaska are vital. Our Navy needs to build strength in this area. To think otherwise is naive. If we don't have the means to deter aggression it will happen, therefore, as our civic duty we have (VOl 13 rA~::- (480 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 8 come here tonight to support the Navy in their plans for Indian Island." Debbie Barrett: (In favor) Resident. "My son has a rare blood disease and has for the last six months (unintelligible). The point is welre trying very hard to make Pete well and for what, I ask myself. To send him out in the world after he has been cured to an environment of bad air, water soil, that maybe got polluted by a nuclear accident. I thought it over and could see how unfair it would be to him if I did not speak out on his behalf. Weill keep trying and hope Pete gets well. Ifm sure every children with chronic or terminal diseases would, and will appreciate your concern for them to get well and to then have a safe, healthy environment to live in without the worry of nuclear pollution. II Michael Edwards: (Opposed) Hadlock resident. III wish to make three points: 1) As a citizen I do agree with other speakers that have appeared before the Commission, in that I count on the authority of this commission to regulate in this area. I challenge the wisdom of this commission within the source available to them, to make an intelligent and adequately informed decision in this area. And I challenge the wisdom of passing ineffective and unenforceable laws which only bolster an already prevalent stop the law attitude. Regulation and ordinance are for the protection of the people, not for social statement. 2) Again, as a citizen, since the crux of the issue has been nuclear arms and armament, not nuclear materials or safety, I personal have witnessed government control by terror, by physical and mental subjugation. I have killed and would kill again and I would die in defense of the lifestyle an~ the liberties and freedoms that I enjoy. I have children and grandchildren and the oldest lesson in history is that if you would have peace then prepare for war. 3) As a professional I have worked with radiation and radioactive substance since I was seventeen years old. In addition many years of involvement with the military in reserve component included association with nuclear weapons. In terms of nuclear weapons, there is no danger of an accidental nuclear explosion. These devices are not assembled into viable weapons until they are at their site of deployment. They are transported and stored as components. The only potential problem is the extremely unlikely possibility of a leak in a nuclear substance container. In such an instance the hazard would be limited to those people in the immediate (several feet) vicinity of the container itself. There is no threat to the well being of individuals or the community as a whole. There is no basis for local regulation." Teresa Nomura: (In favor) Resident of 3apanese dissent. "I donlt want nuclear destruction. The fear that I grew up with is being passed on to the kids in school now. A lot of the hopelessness that the kids are facing is because of things like nuclear war. When I was 24 I went to Japan and to Hiroshima and there is a peace memorial there. Part of what was left of the Atom bomb dropped there is in tact and the Peace Memorial has a museum that has fragments of what happened when the bomb dropped. I think that if people went to that Peace Memorial they would feel stronger about not wanting such weapons around you." .lack Colley: (Opposed) A resident of Hadlock, retired Army with 20 years experience with nuclear weapons. "You ask if I would like a nuclear weapons free county, you bet I would. If we can have a nuclear free county then we set an example for all other counties in the United States. If they would all follow our example then we would have a nuclear free United States. That would be wonderful, however, at that point any foreign power could make slaves of everyone of you by simply threatening the use of nuclear weapons. Do you want to loose your freedom? I donlt." Kittv Raithel: (In favor) A resident and registered voter. III commend our Commissioners for their courage in drafting the proposed resolution and providing this forum wherein all opinions can be heard. I do not wish to see nuclear wea.pons stored on Indian Island for all of the reasons stated up to this point, but also for a reason of my own, which tvOl 13 fACE I}) 481 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 9 is, that I see the presence of these weapons in our midst as merely another example of a regrettable expansion of the military which is going on. Not just here but allover our country. And it will continue to go on as long as it's proponents can find, and stir up and play upon, that small element of paranoia that exists in this otherwise perfectly sane and reasonable American people. I doubt that this is all for our defense. Permanent defense is a good thing, isn't it? You bet it's a good thing. We should be prepared, but how much defense is enough? And whose going to tell these guys when to stop? Not the contractors, not the military, it's you and me that who have to get up here and say 'look that's enough, we don't want anYmore, we want a place to live.' When you and I permit the storage of weapons and the expansion of the military, you are asking for more Nicaraguas, Granadas, more U.S. military interventionism." Willie Knoephly: (Opposed) Resident and registered voter. "I went in the service and listened to all my good buddies tell me how easy it was to stay in college. Now everybody is sitting around taking life easy. How do you think you got that easy life. It's all that blood that's lying over there. Somebody is going to have to protect you. Because you sure don't want to protect yourself. When you go hunting bears with a stick, I want to watch." Mike Bowen: (In favor) "I'm a Viet Nam veteran. (Some of Mr. Bowen's statement was unintelligible). One day when I was in port I went to see a Psychiatrist. I said 'I can't take this anYmore. I can't take the responsibility for maybe killing billions of people.' He said that's why you're there. When you talk nuclear weapons, pro and con. you have to consider what are we spending our money on? We're spending it on something we can't use. If we need a defense system let's build something that we can use and dismantle what we've got because its' apparently useless." Bud Porter: (Opposed) Hadlock resident, spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy. "My opinion is that I'm a native American, I was born in this country that everybody else is coming to. We have to fight for our right. If you people don't like it, then get the out of it, and that's the way I feel about it. It's very simple, if you ain't willing to bleed for what the _ you're getting free, leave." Mike Ewina: (In favor) Resident and business manager for a local resource based company employing 12 to 15 people in this county every year. "I want to thank the Commissioners for taking %0 much heat on this issue, and I find it very disturbing to have your patriotism challenged every time the question of military spending is discussed. I spent four years in the U.S. Air FOrce as a radar technician during the Viet Nam war. .lust over the last year in going to City Council hearings in Port Townsend and hearing the requests from people for budgetary items, I couldn't help but feel angry because on the one hand there are people looking for money to expand the library in Port Townsend, or a Senior Center, and that money doesn't exist anywhere. I added up all those amounts and they came to a couple million dollars. We need to get away from the military contracting business and more into domestic, civilian types projects because they generate more emplOYment per dollars spent than anything the military does. I support this resolution because I feel its' the only way we can add our voice to the voices of everybody else screaming out in this country and around the world for reduction in the nuclear arms race." Ken McMillen: (Opposed) Born and raised in 3efferson County. liThe whole issue is misguided. You can take those things (nuclear weapons) and set an explosion off next to them, drop them from forty thousand feet, bang them, and do anything you want, they don't go off. We've got conyention weapons stored on Indian Island. I'm more afraid of that stuff than I am of nuclear weapons. I really think the safety of weapons on Indian Island is only part of the issue. I think that the reason this thing was brought up was to protest on a national level that we don't want to have anything to do with nuclear weapons, and we're all in that boat, nobody does. If they're not stored here, they'll be stored somewhere. I think the group that is raising this lVOl 13 utft~ =0 482 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 10 resolution is very short sighted in that regard. If this commission wanted to go out and make a resolution, they could establish an unemployment free zone, go out and do something about it. We're all going to be for them. How about a cancer free zone, an illiteracy free zone, a drug free zone. They'd be spending their time much better than they are trying to make a statement on the national level. That's why we've got an administration back in Washington. They're supposed to take care of that. Let's send a message to these Commissioners to spend their time taking care of our problems right here instead of trying to make a statement on the national level." 3im Pearson: (In favor) Resident of Irondale and a registered voter. "My feeling on the issue is that we've kind of gotten away from the local concern here. I looked at this as an issue that the County Commissioners should have an interest in, and that's local health and safety. I'm not worried about a nuclear explosion on Indian Island. I'm worried about storing nuclear material over there. Large amounts of nuclear material. We've got to consider risks of fire, accidents that will release nuclear material into the environment. That's got to be a concern to all of us. We're talking about transportation of nuclear material off the island. It's going to come through Hadlock, Chimacum. f think we ought to consider the risk of accidents on those roads. The questions of jobs has been brought up. but I think we ought to realize that the jobs that are going to be created by the whole Everett Home Port facility are going to be in Everett. What we're talking about is jobs in Everett and risks right here in 3efferson County. As far as construction, we're going to see outside contractors coming in with most of their labor force coming from Seattle, Bremerton and the majority of the jobs going to outsiders. We have to balance what few jobs might be generated against what the effect will be on our community." 30e Peak: (Opposed) Mr. Peak stated that he came here in 1959. "I resent the fact in the first place, that this whole proposition was presented by a group of people who are partisan to the operation that was trying to be put across. I resent it, I don't think he should be allowed to sit on that commission, and I think that's about all I've got to say." Paul Thomas: (In Favor) "I think itfs unfortunate that emotions are running so high. My concern is over nuclear weapons, why we really need them? Most of our national leaders, and those that have really studied this issue recently, have decided that we could have crossed the threshold, maybe ten years or fifteen years ago, to a point where we can no longer use those weapons. Yet we're still building more. We donft hear a debate in Congress. It is very appropriate for us to address that issue because it is here and this close and I think what we're saying here tonight is, 'The buck stops here~' Wefre going to let it be known that we don't like these we.apons." Alton Swanson: (Opposed) Chimacum resident. "We should help our defense department ...." (unintelligible). Dana Fickeisen: (In favor) Registered voter and resident. "I do home health nursing and I visit peoples homes. lfve spoken to a lot of people about this issue who are in seventy to ninety year old bracket. These people are being short changed on Medicare benefits to the point where their health is ....... (unintelligible). Part of the reason they're being short changed is because of the military expenditures and they're aware of it. They believe that the country already has a strong defense and they have no need to build it up any further. Other people in our community who have a vision of the future are our children and we should listen to them. The reason their self esteem is not good is because the people of the community are not fighting for them. I think we all ought to take a second look at the greed that goes along with a military build up and the fact that the contractors are making big bucks building military weapons that will not be used." .lobo Roske: (Opposed) Hadlock resident who served in the Army and the Navy. "I heard one person say tonight that we were taught to kill. We lVOl 13 ~AG:J;1l483 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 11 were not taught to kill, we were taught to protect the people of this United states, and I resent anybody saying that I was taught to kill in the Army. I was not." Ray Gonzales: .(In favor) Lived in the area all his life, and is a card carrying Democrat. "I've been asking myself what is the practical utility of a nuclear free 3efferson County? I served in the Army in the Viet Nam war. You try to make things better for your children. Today, I still take responsibility for my neighbors. If something happens to you, I'm the one who is going to respond, it's someone just like me. They don't get paid for it, its' just that. You want to be a help to the community. I don't believe that we should be a military free 3efferson County. I don't think this resolution addresses that. I think what we're making here is a statement of principle. The most basic principle that there is, and that is, choose to be alive or choose to promote living. When it comes to putting something like that next to us wefre going to say 'No, we don't want it' regardless of what we do here tonight." Hattie Bachmann: (Opposed) "I don't think our Commissioners have the knowledge to make a decision. Probably a lot of you out there are not knowledgeable in the nuclear field to make a decision. I urge these Commissioners to place the issue; if you have to make a decision, on the ballot. Let the people decide which way they want to go. Not let three men make a decision for us. I feel that this is the only way to get a true representation of 3efferson County." Andy Thurston: (In favor) Resident of, Port Townsend and a registered voter. "I want to say I respect every person who is here tonight. Everyone one of you. I want to make a point about economic life. There's one main problem with inviting military expenditures into the region and that is the communities become dependent upon those military expend~tures. The viability of an economy developed by a military expenditure is questionable in this case. The future of an economy dependent on military interest is questionable. There are a lot of case histories around this country of communities that have had their military expenditure pulled back and all of a sudden you have some real problems. If we invest in a military, local economy we become vulnerable. This is talking simply about the economic factors here which you gentlemen are responsible for. This particular military issue here is tied to the Everett Home Port. The Home Port issue is nationally recognized as a boondoggle of sorts. A boondoggle is a military expenditure that is brought about to raise the conscious of the people toward a military recognition. If we go forth we become dependent on it, the appropriations get cut back, we suffer." Clarence 3enninas: (Opposed) Hadlock resident, a veteran who did serve during WHII in Pearl Harbor where it started. "What I'm hearing here tonight is to me a message that we're trying to take the preparedness away from our military. And I can assure you at Pearl Harbor we were unprepared. I went into the Navy in 1934. We were unprepared. Even though we were unprepared we were told, 'you don't have to worry about the 3apanese'. We took the 3apanese in six week. I've got news for you, I spent more time than that in the hospital. That was a long six weeks. It was bloody, it was hard, and I lost a lot of If this is what you want, I suggest you go ahead and declare a nuclear freeze. Move the Navy's source of weapons out of here. Letfs turn this place over. The war was brought about because 3apan and Hitler prepared, nobody else did. I can still remember seeing on television take over the umbrella and the hard hat, peace in our time, all the time the war's going on. Is this what you want? Count me out." Bob DeWeese: (In favor) Port Townsend resident. "In 1968 there was a nuclear weapons accident at Tulley Air Force Base in Greenland. A nuclear weapons was involved in a fire and plutonium was disperse by the wind, over the surrounding area. Everybody involved, including the U.s. military and the Danish government, said that everything was just fine. The Danish people did a study of the people that cleaned up the accident and found of the people involved that ninety are now known to lVOL 13 uc~ ,.] 484 Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 12 have lung cancer. Those are the ones they know about. This is what we're worried about at Indian Island. Plutonium is the most deadly poison known by man. This is not a defense issue. America is a strong country, and its' strong because of what wefre doing here tonight. This issue has nothing to do with that. Itfs a public health issue. Bill Britewiea: (Opposed) Hadlock resident. (Mr. Britewieg's statement was unintelligible). "I think we have problems everywhere beside the nuclear and my other question is - we have three commissioners and Commissioner Dennison says that he has the backing of the 3efferson County people and I do not see where he can really make that statement. The people should vote on this and everybody have a say so on it. I also want to know if all three Commissioners support this resolution, or just one?" David Reel: (In favor) "I'm a native to this land and I'm not about to tell anyone here that because they don't think like I do they should move out. I feel that there are many charged feelings about this issue. I appreciate the Commission's fortitude in taking on a disc~ssion of this particular issue in this community. I feel like there's a lot of pent up emotion, frustration, anger, that is going to have to be resolved as we live here together in this community. I feel that the weapons that are being developed are not really defensive weapons. If we support the nuclear proliferation and deployment of weapons in our area, it's going to be we, us, the people. that are going to feel the effects of the nuclear weapons. When you spend as much. on one missile that could buy all of us a new house, I feel like that money could be more appropriate into out current businesses and our current activities which we all are struggling to keep going. Michael Tucker: (Opposed) Resident. III work around approximately 50,000 gallons of propane that scares me, but the Island doesn't scare me. I trust those people over there. I trust anybody that will bring jobs to us. It's time to start doing stuff for this community. I keeping hearing people say, well we can take this money and we can go build this is 3efferson County, Port Townsend, Chimacum, Quilcene. I've heard that for thirty five years now, I've hear that and I ain't seen diddly squat." .30bo Rush: (In favor) A new resident of Port Townsend. "I feel real strongly about this issue. Statistics on nuclear weapons say we have thousands and thousands of land based missiles on our own soil. Extremely active ones and other kind of weapon we have is bombers that are stationed throughout the world at strategic locations, ready to take off in an instant, and each one carrying a number of nuclear weapons. We have something in the neighborhood of 400+ strategic bombers. And we have 30 some nuclear submarines which are extremely invulnerable to attack and each submarine carries an average of 160 nuclear weapons. Each one capable of incredible destruction. It's nonsense to say that we aren't prepared and I think we can stop now, and not build any more and the Soviet Union can continue to build and we're not in any danger. There has to come a point at which can say stop and I think we've reached that point. We have enough nuclear weapons in the world and we don't need anymore." Steven Baird: (In favor) Resident. "I'm in favor of this resolution, not so much because I'm afraid. of the public health danger of the plutonium that is stored out there, or from the accidents that may happen. I happen to firmly believe that we have enough nuclear weapons and I don't find that on the national level I'm as active a player as I am on a local level, and when something like this happens on the local level it gives me the opportunity to express my opposition to nuclear weapons and that's why I think this is an appropriate forum. I certainly would not be opposed to us voting in a county-wide election and let the majority rule. The economics of more troops coming in, their activities center around drinking andean often times contribute a lot problems to the economy on the law enforcement scale. The other flip side of that coin is that you have to be aware of the stresses and strains (these men face) being away from home and how ~o alleviate that. One of my concerns as a local member of the fire department is t VOl 13rAGEf:~ 485 JI ". Commissioners' Meeting: Week of February 9, 1987 Page: 13 the hazardous materials that we have on the road. It may be that there are nuclear materials on the road that I know nothing about right now. That doesn't make me want to have more nuclear materials on the road. The little bit of history I read seems to say that the weapons system we develop are used and unless we do something to make these weapons systems, to bring their size down so that if they are used they won't destroy the world, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was what results." Al Latham: (In favor) Resident of Center and a Viet Nam veteran. "We've heard that there have been no reportable accidents of nuclear materials and we also are not told by the Navy if they plan on putting those there, and they all fall under the same heading as classified. In my experience what the military knew best was CYA (Cover your butt) and if they have an accident that nobody knows about they're not going to find out about it. I also think it's. important to us to register our opposition to the plan because if we don't they're going to say that we want it. I also, would like to see it put on the ballot. because if it's not, there's just going to be a vendetta against the Commissioners if they approve it. I think it would be in everyone's interest to have it put on the ballot." Being no further speakers on the issue the Chairman thanked those present for attending. A man stated that the referendum on this issue if it is approved would be on the ballot in November of 1988, which Chairman Dennison is up for re-election. Chairman Dennison reminded everyone that that is what the system is all about and if people feel strongly about his position on this issue they will have their opportunity to make that known. The meeting was recessed after the hearing on Monday evening and reconvened on Tuesday morning with all Board members in attendance. After meeting with the following: Claire Dyckman, puget Sound Water Quality Authority and Port Manager George Yount and the Airport Advisory Committee the following business was done. CONTRACT re: Personal Services; Stan Betts: Commissioner B.G. Brown moved to approve the Personal Services Contract with Stan Betts to provide coordination services for the Emergency Services exercise. Commissioner George Brown seconded the motion. MEETING AD30~D ... - - .............. .,....-., ,J ~".. "/:- . w>.\(,;=.r~~'-",~ '. '~. 3EFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONE~ .-, ~ . .. ~) B.G. Brown, Member d~wn,~. SEAL ,~ -\ .,\ lVot.! 13 fACE r 0 486