Minutes Heavy Metal Remediation Committee
October Meeting 2002

In attendance were Bonnie Meyer, Steve MacDonald, Rita Schenck, May Gerstle, Shaheeda Pierce, Nan Hammett, and Anne Moses

Introductions and Welcome:
Anne Moses, a new attendee, mother, and resident of the island, was introduced as one interested in joining the committee.  Both Anne and her 14-month-old daughter have been diagnosed with metal toxicity and are presently being treated.

Announcements:
Lyman Houghton resigned from his Vice-Chair position.
The committee voted to postpone electing a new vice-chair until next month when actual elections are scheduled.

Ina WhitlockÕs husband died suddenly a month ago.  She intends to be involved with HMRC after a period of mourning has passed.

Minutes
Minutes were approved with modifications.

Symposium:

7:00 p.m.
A) Awards distribution
B) Speakers (10 minutes each)
The three speakers for the symposium will be:
	Dr. Eaton from UW School of Public Health.  Dr. Eaton will present an overview of toxic effects of pollutants in the environment.
	Dr. Rita Schenk of IERE.  Dr. Schenk will present the goals and accomplishments of the HMRC and will provide information on next steps.
	Mary Robinson of VHS and VIGA.  Ms. Robinson will cover what VHS did and what citizens can do to address clean up.
C) Questions and answer time (30 minutes)
D) Booths (40 minutes)
E) Exit poll and evaluation
To: 9:00 p.m.

Set Up:  Bonnie, Nan, and two others who will accompany Bonnie.  May will look into setting up at 6:00 p.m. so that booths could be available from 6:30 p.m. onwards.

Booths:  Shaheeda.  Steve will find out if VIGA would like a table.

Refreshments:  Shaheeda and Anne.  May will bring an urn.  Another urn is still needed.

Posters:   May, Anne and Nan will distribute.  

Exit Poll: Bonnie will help May.


From Highline Clinic, Dr. Koch will attend the symposium to learn.  Dr. Kappleman will be out of town.

Layout of advertisements was reviewed and two out of four choices were selected.  One will be printed in the local papers, the other will be a poster posted throughout the community.

Second Symposium will be scheduled in March.  This symposium will cover soil amendments, garden prep and care, as well as how to address when one already has toxic levels in their system.


Medical Brochure:

In reviewing the brochure concern arose as to who and how to offer references.  Shaheeda wished to provide all alternative medical provider references originally provided by Melissa Lockhart.  After speaking at length to Dr. Lockhart, Rita advised that only scientifically proven resources be provided.  Shaheeda had to leave before the final decision was made.  The majority of the committee appeared to agree on printing only proven scientific resources including Dr.Lockhart and her website - so that alternative practitioners could be made available to those who were interested. 

Shaheeda presented a Heavy Metals Toxicity binder.  The committee agreed the binder needed to be reviewed.



King County Public Health:

Bonnie distributed pencils, magnets, stickers and posters to be distributed to the general public.  Pencils, magnets, and stickers remind all to clean their hands of dirt.  The posters go into more depth as to how to keep the home free of contaminated soil.

The issue/idea of creating a composting/clean soil production center on the island was raised.  Bonnie suggested Rita connect with George Sidel of EcologyÕs Solid Waste Program.


Washington State Department of Ecology

May received a fact sheet distributed to many across King County that held numerous errors with regards to HMRC and IRPPC.  The committee spent much time addressing/questioning how this event of misinformation arose and, in the end, decided to contact Molly Gibbs, the person who created and distributed the misinformed fact sheet, and her supervisor Marian Abbett.  Neither were available at 5:00 PM on a Friday afternoon, but messages were left with both parties as to the concerns the committee had regarding the creation and dissemination of this fact sheet as well as a letter sent to Kyle Cruver, President of the VMICC.