Monday, April 2, 2012

meeting minutes

Meeting Minutes



Meeting of Takoma Park Nuclear-free Zone Committee

January 5, 2012

Takoma Park, MD



Members present: Jay Levy (chair), Linda Boddy, Robert Rini, Jacob Rini and Paul Gunter (membership pending Council approval)



Others present include: Linda Gunter, Seth Grimes, Dr. Rocco Casagrande and Jack Casagrande



There being a quorum present the meeting was called to order at approximately 7:35 pm by Jay. Jay welcomed the guests in attendance (Seth and Rocco). He suggested the Committee turn to new business on the agenda: consideration of the scope of the nuclear-free zone Ordinance.



City Council member Seth Grimes explains that Dr. Rocco Casagrande is engaged in research involving nuclear weapons and feels his situation and desire to live and work in Takoma Park may run afoul of the Ordinance and merits an amendment to the Ordinance. Seth explains that he also believes that the Ordinance may preclude anti-nuclear information and lobbying groups from being based in Takoma Park.



      He cites two sections of the Ordinance as the root of his concerns:



14.04.090 Definitions.

"Production of nuclear weapons" includes the knowing or intentional research, design, development, testing, manufacture, evaluation, maintenance, storage, transportation or disposal of nuclear weapons or their components; and



14.04.040 Nuclear facilities prohibited.

B.  No person, corporation, university, laboratory, institution or other entity in the City knowingly and intentionally engaged in the production of nuclear weapons shall commence any such work within the City after adoption of this chapter.



     He explains his concern that the definition, "production of nuclear weapons," does not explicitly limit itself to processes related to the creation of weapons.  The concern is that lacking that limitation, an individual or organization working to eliminate, or simply to study, nuclear weapons is defined by the Ordinance as producing weapons and is precluded from living or working in Takoma Park.  Seth acknowledges that is not the Ordinance’s intent.



He also notes that while the legality of similar “nuclear-free zone” Ordinances may be in question making enforcement uncertain, he feels residents should be expected to comply with the Ordinance or the Ordinance should be changed to ensure it fulfills its original intent to promote a nuclear-free community and not unintentionally, create barriers to this worthy effort.



Dr. Casagrande explains that his company, Gryphon Scientific, is engaged in evaluating mass casualty protocols involving nuclear weapons, collecting information about nuclear weapons specifications and capabilities of other countries and similar laudable activities to promote public safety and welfare that are clearly not involved in the production of nuclear weapons.



The Committee discussed the Ordinance and the relevant provisions. Robert pointed out that the definition uses the word “includes” so it is not meant to be read as an exclusive definition, leaving room for interpretation of what constitutes “production”. Taking into consideration the Purpose of the Ordinance found in section 14.04.030, and the Findings found in section 14.04.030, it was reasonable to interpret the definition in context and conclude without a doubt that the work described by Dr. Casagrande is not precluded by the Ordinance and in fact, is consistent with promoting Takoma Park as a nuclear-free community.



Robert also noted that after review of the facts, City Attorney Sue Silber had herself just recently concluded that if she was asked to interpret the law, she would not conclude that Dr. Casagrande’s work is precluded by the Ordinance. She wrote: “I would recommend interpreting these sections in light of the purposes of the legislation.”



Julie, Jay, Jacob and Paul all agreed with Robert that there was no need to amend the Ordinance to help ensure Takoma Park remains home to anti-nuclear and other organizations working to promote and enhance life.



Next, the Committee considered participating in Earth Day celebrations. No consensus was reached and concerns were expressed that there was not enough time to plan an event. Linda indicated that Beyond Nuclear would be willing to show the film Into Eternity and sponsor a speaker at a future event at the City Hall.



Paul indicated that he was researching the costs to acquire a Geiger counter to measure radiation exposure, including in various locations in our area.



Finally, Jay indicated that the City Council wanted the Committee to produce an annual report summarizing its activities in 2011. Jay offered to review the past meeting minutes and prepare a first draft. He said he would include mention of our participation at the Folk Festival, the 3 part film Series and the social media activity on our blog and twitter accounts.



Jacob pointed out that he has been very active in keeping the Committee blog (http://nftpc.blogspot.com) up to date and in using twitter (@nuclearfreeboy). He indicated the blog would benefit from having a link on the City website to promote traffic. He points out it takes a lot of time/effort to use social media to inform the community about nuclear-free zone issues and it’s disappointing that City policy precludes promoting or linking the blog or twitter accounts of members.



There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 pm.








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