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Residents urge county to back water fluoridation and strengthen veterans services
Summary
Public commenters asked the board to support community water fluoridation and to create a veterans advisory council while praising the county's plan to hire a second full‑time veterans services officer.
During the public comment period, several residents urged the Clatsop County commissioners to take specific actions on public health and veterans services.
Jackie Sanchez, representing the Safe Water, Strong Smiles campaign, asked the county to publicly affirm support for community water fluoridation in Warrenton, calling it "a long standing, evidence‑based, public health measure" that prevents tooth decay and particularly protects children and seniors. Sanchez warned that removing fluoridation in one jurisdiction could set a precedent and urged the board to clarify how it will uphold public‑health responsibilities if scientific measures become politicized.
Brad Pietzic, a District 1 resident, praised the county’s plan to hire a second full‑time veterans services officer but said the county still lacks a consistent veteran voice in decision making. Pietzic proposed forming a Veterans Advisory Council to provide ongoing input, and offered to help organize and identify candidates for such a council.
Mary Ang described mobility and recovery challenges and urged the board to incorporate ADA and trauma‑informed considerations into transitional housing, shelter planning and sidewalk policies so that people with disabilities and invisible conditions can safely recover and access services.
The board thanked the speakers and noted a VSO recruitment update is scheduled for the March 4 work session.
