Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 July Human Services HEAL TH BOARD MINUTES JULY 22,1997 BOARD MEMBERS: Glen Huntingford, Chairman Richard Wojt, Member Dan Harpole, Member STAFF MEMBERS: David Specter, Health Department Director Jean Baldwin, Director of Nursing Services Larry Fay, Director of Environmental Health Chester Prudhomme, Director of Substance Abuse Thomas Locke, M.D., Health Officer CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Ted Shoulberg The meeting was called to order by Chairman Glen Huntingford. The following Board and staff members were present: Commissioner Richard Wojt, Commissioner Dan Harpole, David Specter, Jean Baldwin, Chester Prudhomme, Thomas Locke, MD, Larry Fay, Judi Morris and the City of Port Townsend's representative Ted Shoulberg. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the minutes of June 23, 1997 as presented. Commissioner Harpole seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: None. OLD BUSINESS UPDATE - LINDA SEXTON: Commissioner Harpole asked if Linda Sexton was still advertising to pick up left over garage sale items. Larry Fay answered that the advertisements ended about two weeks ago. The Health Department has been working with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on the compliance schedule, It has been forwarded to Ms, Sexton's Attorney, Mark Beaufait for review, DIRECTOR'S REPORT Due to a time constraint there was no report. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JULY 22, 1997 Page 2 NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT PROGRAM UPDATE: Jean Baldwin reported that 25 programs are being audited during the next two months. She also stated that they didn't get the immunization grant funding that would allow the Health Department to track immunizations, She will discuss this at the next Health Board meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ecotec-License Review: Milton Foss. Owner: Larry Fay explained that Milton Foss, Ecotec, has been licensed since October 1996 to pump septage from onsite sewage systems. Mr. Foss indicated on his application that he would be dumping the septage at the city composting facility. The city composting facility submits reports to the Health Department regarding who is dumping and how many gallons. In March, Linda Atkins contacted Mr. Foss, because there was no record that he was dumping at the city's facility. Mr. Foss told Linda that he was using a holding tank on his property. She indicated that he would have to get permitted to use the storage tank. On March 25, it was reported that Mr. Foss dumped 1,000 gallons at the city composting facility. By May 15, nothing more had been reported being dumped by Mr. Foss from the city composting facility and a notice of violation was sent to Mr. Foss requesting reports regarding where he pumped and where he had been taken the material. On May 20, Mr. Foss submitted several receipts from Holdeman Trucking of Federal Way showing that they had hauled approximately 6,000 gallons of septage for Mr. Foss but didn't indicate where it had been taken. Larry said that Holdeman Trucking is not licensed to haul septage or sludge in Jefferson County. On May 29, a receipt for 1,000 gallons was received from the city compo sting facility for material received from Ecotec, Linda Atkins spoke to Randy Calkins, an Ecotec truck operator, at the Evergreen Coho Resort where he indicated that over a two day period he would be removing about 12,000 gallons of septage. After speaking to Mr. Calkins another receipt for 1,000 gallons was received from the city compo sting facility. Larry Fay stated that the number of gallons pumped and the receipts for dumping seemed to be out of balance, This raised concerns about what was happening with the septage. Larry Fay stated that in the absence of the information needed, he requests that Mr. Foss' license to operate be suspended. Milton Foss. Ecotec: Mr. Foss indicated he has received the following patens from the U.S. Government: I) 1985, a Chlorine Oxidation Waste Water Treatment Method; 2) 1995, Small Batch Waste Material Treatment Apparatus and System; 3) 1996, a method for processing multiple small batches of waste material. Mr. Foss stated that when he applied for the license he told Linda Atkins that the holding tank, on the property, contained 20,000 gallons of septage that was leftover from the previous owner. He was told by the city compo sting facility that they would not take the septage because it was old. Mr. Foss also indicated that the main purpose of the city composting facility is just to take the sludge from the Port Townsend sewer plant. He feels it would not handle the amount of septage he has to dump. HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JULY 22, 1997 Page 3 Mr. Foss said that he built a truck based on his patens that separates water from the solids. His purpose was to put the water back in the septic tank and he stated he gets clear effluent from the septage, This procedure cuts costs for his customers as well as for himself. He has a minimum amount of solids left over which he mixes with sand, creating a soil like material. Mr. Foss explained his method of disposing of solid waste. Chairman Huntingford asked if Mr. Foss has had this material tested? Mr. Foss indicated that when he was working in Oregon, he sold this type of material and the Department of Environmental Qualities accepted it. Chairman Huntingford asked if it goes through any type of heating process? Mr. Foss explained that the hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria. Mr. Foss told the Board that in order for him to dispose ofthe 20,000 gallons of old sludge that was left over, he needed receipts. He then contacted Dennis Gregmen of Holdeman Trucking in Federal Way, Mr. Foss is concerned with other individuals who come into Jefferson County to dump their waste in the Thorndyke area. Mr. Foss admits that he didn't totally follow the rules and regulations. Chairman Huntingford feels that the Health Department is concerned about where the liquids are going. Chairman Huntingford asked staff if they were aware that Mr. Foss was processing his own materials? They replied that this is the first time they had heard about it. Chairman Huntingford asked Larry Fay if this is an approved method? Larry Fay responded that he is not sure about Mr. Foss' process but he reviewed some material a couple of years ago that is similar to Mr. Foss' method. Larry Fay is concerned about what happens when the liquid is put back in the septic tanks. Chairman Huntingford asked Mr. Foss ifhe is aware of any studies that have been done to address this issue? He said that there is a company in Everett that sold 27 systems in the State of Texas that are similar to his system. Larry Fay stated that the Health Department licensed and permitted Mr. Foss as a pumper and he was required to take the material to an approved permitted facility. Chairman Huntingford asked Mr. Foss ifhe has a way of taking the treated solids to the treatment plant? Mr. Foss said that he purchased a small, six yard dump truck and his intention was to acquire enough treated solid material to take into the city composting facility. Commissioner Harpole asked Mr. Foss to verifY if on the original permit application he stated he would be dumping at the city composting facility? Mr. Foss replied that was not necessarily so, He was still in the experimental stages of his treatment method and knew he wouldn't be permitted ifhe didn't list a disposal facility. So, he listed the city composting facility, Commissioner Wojt asked what process Mr. Foss would need to go through to be in compliance? Larry Fay said that ifhe wants to treat septage on site, which is outlined in the solid waste regulations, he would need to apply for a permit to operate a solid waste facility in the same manner that the city has. Dr. Locke stated that there are two issues: I) Are the guidelines ofthe license being followed? and 2) Are there public health concerns? Mr. Foss informed the Board that he is retiring, Randall Calkins wants to take over the business and follow the Health Department rules and regulations. Chairman Huntingford said that Mr. Foss has made his point and he feels he is agreeable to work out terms to continue under the original agreement for licensing for septic pumping. The Health Department will be monitoring the gallons that will be taken to the city composting facility. Mr. Foss said that a holding tank is needed because he works in the evenings and on weekends and needs a place to dump the septage since the facility closes at 3 HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JULY 22, 1997 Page 4 o'clock and is not open on weekends. Larry Fay stated that the issue regarding the holding tanks can be dealt with by going through the permit process to meet requirements. Chairman Huntingford asked if the Health Department feels there is a need to revoke Mr. Foss' license ifhe meets the requirements and is willing to work with the Health Department? Larry Fay replied that ifMr. Foss discontinues the use of the current treatment disposal process and disposes of the septage at an approved facility he doesn't have a problem with the septic business. Commissioner Harpole moved to encourage staffto work with Mr. Foss and his partner, Randy Calkins to resolve the issues of the license to pump septic tanks and to review the possibility of permitting the holding tanks. Chairman Huntingford added that the disposal of materials will be handled in the appropriate manner. Mr. Foss stated that he has talked to other septic companies and they are not required to submit a report on their activities. Larry Fay said that the Health Department doesn't require routine reporting, they require records be available to them upon request. Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Chairman Huntingford stated that he hopes that Mr. Foss will pursue the proper channels to get his method tested and approved. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Tobacco Settlement: Letters of SUDDOrt: The Board reviewed draft letters to Washington's congressional delegation encouraging their support to reduce the impact of tobacco use in our communities, Commissioner Wojt moved to sign the letters of support, Commissioner Harpole seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE SERVICES DIRECTOR'S REPORT AlcohollDrul! Prol!ram Analvsis: Presentation ofKev Findinl!s and Conclusions: Chester Prudhomme handed out an Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program Review report, David Specter said that 500 surveys went to constituents currently in the program and the results are in the report. A needs analysis was done to determine how many people in Jefferson County are in need of substance abuse treatment and how many are expected to be in treatment at any given time. The total budget for the Alcohol/Drug Abuse program is $300,000, David Specter reported that 360 Jefferson County residents should be in treatment based on current populations, Only about 20% of those people are in treatment. David Specter gave a brief overview and slide presentation of the program. He said that after the Health Department staff has had time to review the results further the Board will be given the conclusions and recommendations. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT Variance Process from Minimum Lot Size-Onsite Sewal!e Prol!ram: Larry Fay reported that he met with Dr. Locke last week and went over the process of waivers for onsite sewage system permits and land area requirements. Currently Jefferson County doesn't have a waiver process and in the past waivers have been handled through appeals to the Board of Health. Larry Fay stated that his recommendation is to change the process to an administrative waiver to be handled by the HEALTH BOARD MINUTES - JULY 22, 1997 Page 5 Health Officer and the Environmental Health Director. The Board of Health would then function in an appeal capacity on the waivers that were denied. Larry Fay outlined the three classes of waivers that the State Department of Health has established: => Class A Waiver is a standard mitigation, Jefferson County is currently handling these types of Waivers, => Class B Waiver is County specific standards that are developed locally to address a specific concern, => Class C Waiver is site specific considered on a case by case basis, Larry Fay discussed three possible exceptions to minimum land areas (lots of record). => Sewage Unit Volumes. Allows one sewage unit volume in minimum land area. => Offsite Drainfield and or Well-Land Area Averaging. Drainfield located on adjacent parcel by means of easements. => Increase level of treatment. Commissioner Wojt voiced some concern regarding accumulative impacts to critical areas in Jefferson County. Commissioner Harpole agreed. Larry Fay asked the Board if they wanted him to process some applications now and see if this kind of approach can be supported. Chairman Huntingford directed him to proceed with the waiver process and have it before the Board at the next meeting in August. NEW BUSINESS Judi Morris introduced Barbara Matter who will be taking the place of La Donna Whiteman as the receptionist at the Health Department. Commissioner Harpole requested that two hours be scheduled for all Board of Health meetings unless a longer time frame is needed. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 1997 at 1 :30 p,m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ( /1 ce ,v f/:JL- . yt:.:t /---., chard E'. Woj~mber-' ~~ , , STAFF REPORT July 16, 1997 ECOTEC - Mr. Milton Foss October 10, 1996 - Mr. Foss applied for a license to pump septic tanks in Jefferson County. The tank was inspected in the Castle Hill parking area. Mr. Foss was asked what the small stainless steel tank was for on the truck and he stated that it was for separating grease. Mr. Foss listed the landfill compo sting facility as his disposal site. The condition of the tank was good and a license was issued. March 1997 _ Mr. Foss was notified in the Environmental Health office by Linda Atkins that as of March no receipts had been received from the City Compo sting Facility showing his waste had been disposed of there. Mr. Foss stated that he was using the holding tanks at his property (formerly owned by Ms.Bobbi Baker of Goodman Septic Disposal, Inc.) to store the septage he was pumping. Linda Atkins informed Mr. Foss that the holding tanks were not an approved facility and that Ms. Baker had been notified that if they were to continue to use them a permit to operate as a solid waste facility for the storage ofbiosolids would be required. Mr. Foss stated he would bring the waste to the Compo sting Facility and stop using the holding tanks. March 25, 1997 - One receipt for 1000 gallons of septage was received from the Composting facility for material received from Ecotec. May 15, 1997 - A Notice Of Violation was sent to Mr. Foss requiring him to supply receipts from customers and from the facility taking the sept age within 15 days. The Notice stated the WAC 246-272 requirements for Septage Management, reviewed what had transpired in March in this office and the requirement to provide information on volumes pumped and location disposed of within 15 days. Subsequent to this Notice of violation being received by Mr. Foss he left a voice mail message for Linda Atkins of the Environmental Health Division. Mr. Foss indicated that he had an "experimental process" for handling the sept age. May 20, 1997 _ This office received copies of receipts from Mr. Foss that indicate sludge material was hauled from ECOTEC Services by Holdeman Trucking of Federal Way, Wa.. Holdeman Trucking is not licensed to haul sept age or sludge in Jefferson County. May 29, 1997 - One receipt for 1000 gallons was received from the City Compo sting Facility for material received from Ecotec. Page 2, Staff Report, ECOTEC - Milton Foss June 11, 1997 - Linda Atkins spoke to Randy Calkins, operator of the Ecotec truck, at the Evergreen Coho Resort where he had just finished pumping 12,000 gallons of septage over a 2 day period. Ms. Atkins observed several containers that Mr. Calkins was handing and asked what they were for. He stated that he was adding polymer and peroxide to the septage. Linda Atkins notified Mr. Calkins that this was not an approved practice and that he was to cease this practice immediately. He was reminded that the license to pump stated that the City Composting Facility was their designated disposal site and that the waste is to be taken there as it comes out of the tanks, no material is to be added of removed from the septage waste. June 16, 1997 - one receipt for 1000 gallons was received from the City Composting Facility for material received from Ecotec July 9, 1997 _ A Notice of Hearing was sent to Mr. Foss to consider the suspension or revocation of his license to operate as a septic tank pumper. The Hearing was scheduled due to his lack of response in supplying the necessary information to evaluate if he is handling the septage waste as required by WAC 246-272 and Jefferson County Code. July 11, 1997 - This office attempted to contact Holdeman Trucking to identify where they were disposing of the sludge material listed on the receipts supplied by Mr. Foss. The address on the receipt copies belongs to another business, Truck Insurance Agency, Inc. The owner, Steven Gates, stated that he did not have any knowledge of Holdeman Trucking and they were not at that address. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept. searched the Department of Transportation for a license registered to a company by that name and they were unable to locate any such company. The Washington State Department of Licensing was also unable to locate a business by that name. Receipts received from the compo sting facility and from the trucking company total 7000 gallons. As per Randy Calkins and Evergreen Coho Manager 12,000 gallons were pumped from their tanks alone, There is a significant discrepancy that requires correction. ACTION REQUESTED - Suspension of license until complete reports are submitted to this department and can be verified. Require inspection of the site where the holding tanks are located and verify that they are properly abandoned or obtain a permit. CC- : t\eo--\4-h. ~0-. County Health & Human Services July 22, 1997 The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC 20500 Dear Mr, President: We are writing to express the strong support of the Jefferson County Board of Health for the comprehensive plan negotiated by the State Attorneys General to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use on the health of our communities. This comprehensive plan offers an historic opportunity to make very significant progress on a number of high priority public health issues. These include prevention of the addiction of children to tobacco products, treatment of tobacco products as lethal and addictive drugs, an end to deceptive marketing practices by tobacco corporations, and a resolution of the many public and private liability claims relating to tobacco- induced disease, All negotiated agreements involve compromise and concessions by the involved parties. While the very notion of reaching a negotiated agreement with corporations that have deceptively marketed a product that addicts 3,000 children every day and kills 400,000 adults each year is distasteful to many, we must be realistic about the lack of success of past efforts to reduce tobacco's devastating toll on society. As a county health board charged with the sweeping responsibility to protect the health of all Jefferson County residents, we have evaluated the proposed comprehensive plan in terms of what it can potentially accomplish in both the near and long term. Our highest priority is the welfare of our children and the comprehensive plan represents a major step forward in protecting the youth of our county from the devastating health effects ofthis insidious addiction. We are also very much concerned about the drain on public and personal health resources caused by the enormous burden of tobacco-caused disease and disability. The comprehensive plan offers significant progress in this area. And finally, we must be concerned about the welfare of current and future smokers. It is only through an end to the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco corporations, coupled with full disclosure of the harmful and addictive aspects of tobacco use, that this long-standing public health crisis might be significantly diminished. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 The President Page 2 July 22, 1997 The State Attorneys General Comprehensive Plan offers an historic opportunity to improve community health to a degree thought impossible only a few months ago, The Jefferson County Board of Health stands with the public health community of Washington State in strong support of this agreement and its underlying principles. Although this agreement is far from ideal, we strongly urge you to not let "the perfect become the enemy of the good" and join us in support of this agreement in its entirety. Our children are depending on us to move from decades of rhetoric and recrimination to effective national action against tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United States. Sincerely, th ,. ichard Wojt Member, Jefferson County Board of Health ~Jrr Member, Jefferson County Board of Health & Human Services July 22, 1997 The Honorable Donna E. Shalala Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Hubert H. Humphrey Building 200 Independence Ave SW, #615F Washington DC 20201 Dear Ms. Shalala: We are writing to express the strong support of the Jefferson County Board of Health for the comprehensive plan negotiated by the State Attorneys General to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use on the health of our communities. This comprehensive plan offers an historic opportunity to make very significant progress on a number of high priority public health issues, These include prevention of the addiction of children to tobacco products, treatment of tobacco products as lethal and addictive drugs, an end to deceptive marketing practices by tobacco corporations, and a resolution of the many public and private liability claims relating to tobacco- induced disease. All negotiated agreements involve compromise and concessions by the involved parties, While the very notion of reaching a negotiated agreement with corporations that have deceptively marketed a product that addicts 3,000 children every day and kills 400,000 adults each year is distasteful to many, we must be realistic about the lack of success of past efforts to reduce tobacco's devastating toll on society. As a county health board charged with the sweeping responsibility to protect the health of all Jefferson County residents, we have evaluated the proposed comprehensive plan in terms of what it can potentially accomplish in both the near and long term. Our highest priority is the welfare of our children and the comprehensive plan represents a major step forward in protecting the youth of our county from the devastating health effects of this insidious addiction. We are also very much concerned about the drain on public and personal health resources caused by the enormous burden of tobacco-caused disease and disability. The comprehensive plan offers significant progress in this area. And finally, we must be concerned about the welfare of current and future smokers. It is only through an end to the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco corporations, coupled with full disclosure of the harmful and addictive aspects oftobacco use, that this long-standing public health crisis might be significantly diminished. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 The Honorable Donna E. Shalala Page 2 July 22,1997 The State Attorneys General Comprehensive Plan offers an historic opportunity to improve community health to a degree thought impossible only a few months ago. The Jefferson County Board of Health stands with the public health community of Washington State in strong support of this agreement and its underlying principles, Although this agreement is far from ideal, we strongly urge you to not let "the perfect become the enemy of the good" and join us in support of this agreement in its entirety. Our children are depending on us to move from decades of rhetoric and recrimination to effective national action against tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United States, Sincerely, " [chard W ojt Member, Jefferson County Board of Health fJM1 on County Board of Healtb & Human Services July 22, 1997 The Honorable Slade Gorton United States Senate Washington DC 20510 Dear Senator Gorton: We are writing to express the strong support of the Jefferson County Board of Health for the comprehensive plan negotiated by the State Attorneys General to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use on the health of our communities. This comprehensive plan offers an historic opportunity to make very significant progress on a number of high priority public health issues, These include prevention of the addiction of children to tobacco products, treatment of tobacco products as lethal and addictive drugs, an end to deceptive marketing practices by tobacco corporations, and a resolution of the many public and private liability claims relating to tobacco- induced disease. All negotiated agreements involve compromise and concessions by the involved parties, While the very notion of reaching a negotiated agreement with corporations that have deceptively marketed a product that addicts 3,000 children every day and kills 400,000 adults each year is distasteful to many, we must be realistic about the lack of success of past efforts to reduce tobacco's devastating toll on society. As a county health board charged with the sweeping responsibility to protect the health of all Jefferson County residents, we have evaluated the proposed comprehensive plan in terms of what it can potentially accomplish in both the near and long term. Our highest priority is the welfare of our children and the comprehensive plan represents a major step forward in protecting the youth of our county from the devastating health effects of this insidious addiction. We are also very much concerned about the drain on public and personal health resources caused by the enormous burden of tobacco-caused disease and disability. The comprehensive plan offers significant progress in this area. And finally, we must be concerned about the welfare of current and future smokers. It is only through an end to the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco corporations, coupled with full disclosure of the harmful and addictive aspects of tobacco use, that this long-standing public health crisis might be significantly diminished, HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 The Honorable Slade Gorton Page 2 July 22, 1997 The State Attorneys General Comprehensive Plan offers an historic opportunity to improve community health to a degree thought impossible only a few months ago. The Jefferson County Board of Health stands with the public health community of Washington State in strong support of this agreement and its underlying principles. Although this agreement is far from ideal, we strongly urge you to not let "the perfect become the enemy of the good" andjoin us in support of this agreement in its entirety. Our children are depending on us to move from decades of rhetoric and recrimination to effective national action against tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United States. Sincerely, IJtm n County Board of Health Health & Human Services July 22, 1997 The Honorable Patty Murry United States Senate Washington DC 20510 Dear Senator Murray: Weare writing to express the strong support of the Jefferson County Board of Health for the comprehensive plan negotiated by the State Attorneys General to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use on the health of our communities. This comprehensive plan offers an historic opportunity to make very significant progress on a number of high priority public health issues. These include prevention of the addiction of children to tobacco products, treatment of tobacco products as lethal and addictive drugs, an end to deceptive marketing practices by tobacco corporations, and a resolution ofthe many public and private liability claims relating to tobacco- induced disease. All negotiated agreements involve compromise and concessions by the involved parties, While the very notion of reaching a negotiated agreement with corporations that have deceptively marketed a product that addicts 3,000 children every day and kills 400,000 adults each year is distasteful to many, we must be realistic about the lack of success of past efforts to reduce tobacco's devastating toll on society. As a county health board charged with the sweeping responsibility to protect the health of all Jefferson County residents, we have evaluated the proposed comprehensive plan in terms of what it can potentially accomplish in both the near and long term. Our highest priority is the welfare of our children and the comprehensive plan represents a major step forward in protecting the youth of our county from the devastating health effects of this insidious addiction. We are also very much concerned about the drain on public and personal health resources caused by the enormous burden of tobacco-caused disease and disability. The comprehensive plan offers significant progress in this area. And finally, we must be concerned about the welfare of current and future smokers. It is only through an end to the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco corporations, coupled with full disclosure of the harmful and addictive aspects of tobacco use, that this long-standing public health crisis might be significantly diminished. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 The Honorable Patty Murray Page 2 July 22, 1997 The State Attorneys General Comprehensive Plan offers an historic opportunity to improve community health to a degree thought impossible only a few months ago. The Jefferson County Board of Health stands with the public health community of Washington State in strong support of this agreement and its underlying principles. Although this agreement is far from ideal, we strongly urge you to not let "the perfect become the enemy of the good" and join us in support of this agreement in its entirety. Our children are depending on us to move from decades of rhetoric and recrimination to effective national action against tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United States. Sincerely, 'chard Wojt Member, Jefferson County Board of Health &fJr Member, Jefferson County Board of Health -=- ~I~~~ County Health & Human Ser'vices July 22, 1997 The Honorable Norman D. Dicks United States House of Representatives Washington DC 20515 Dear Representative Dicks: We are writing to express the strong support of the Jefferson County Board of Health for the comprehensive plan negotiated by the State Attorneys General to reduce the devastating impact of tobacco use on the health of our communities. This comprehensive plan offers an historic opportunity to make very significant progress on a number of high priority public health issues. These include prevention of the addiction of children to tobacco products, treatment of tobacco products as lethal and addictive drugs, an end to deceptive marketing practices by tobacco corporations, and a resolution of the many public and private liability claims relating to tobacco- induced disease. All negotiated agreements involve compromise and concessions by the involved parties. While the very notion of reaching a negotiated agreement with corporations that have deceptively marketed a product that addicts 3,000 children every day and kills 400,000 adults each year is distasteful to many, we must be realistic about the lack of success of past efforts to reduce tobacco's devastating toll on society, As a county health board charged with the sweeping responsibility to protect the health of all Jefferson County residents, we have evaluated the proposed comprehensive plan in terms of what it can potentially accomplish in both the near and long term. Our highest priority is the welfare of our children and the comprehensive plan represents a major step forward in protecting the youth of our county from the devastating health effects of this insidious addiction. We are also very much concerned about the drain on public and personal health resources caused by the enormous burden of tobacco-caused disease and disability. The comprehensive plan offers significant progress in this area. And finally, we must be concerned about the welfare of current and future smokers. It is only through an end to the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco corporations, coupled with full disclosure of the harmful and addictive aspects of tobacco use, that this long-standing public health crisis might be significantly diminished. HEALTH DEPARTMENT 360/385-9400 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 360/385-9444 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 360/385-9400 ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE CENTER 360/385-9435 FAX 360/385-9401 The Honorable Norman D. Dicks Page 2 July 22, 1997 The State Attorneys Genera] Comprehensive Plan offers an historic opportunity to improve community health to a degree thought impossible only a few months ago. The Jefferson County Board of Health stands with the public health community of Washington State in strong support of this agreement and its underlying principles. Although this agreement is far from ideal, we strongly urge you to not let "the perfect become the enemy of the good" and join us in support of this agreement in its entirety. Our children are depending on us to move from decades of rhetoric and recrimination to effective national action against tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of premature death and disability in the United States, Sincerely, lth ',? 1..&'.-"- [chard W ojt Member, Jefferson County Board of Health /lM,;.,(!r Member, Jefferson County Board of Health