County Council fails to pass pornography campaign

The bulk of the Oct. 26 meeting of the Pierce County Council was taken up passing various proclamations with one exception.

A resolution declaring Oct. 25 through Nov. 1 as “White Ribbon Against Pornography” week, a campaign first started in 1987 to increase public awareness of the harm done by exposure to pornography, failed to pass.

“Had the message stayed on pornography, I think I would have been OK,” said Councilmember Jani Hitchen, a reference to the politically charged issue of comprehensive sexual education.

Councilmember Marty Campbell noted “the message got lost.”

Council Chair Derek Young suggested an anti-pornography message was more the purview of private organizations rather than government.

The final vote on the proclamation saw councilmembers Campbell and Hitchen abstain, with councilmembers Amy Cruver and Dave Morell voting “yes” and councilmembers Ryan Mello and Young casting “no” votes.

The council passed resolutions designating November as “Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month,” celebrating Pierce County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Martin for 18 years of service to the county and November as “Homeless Youth Awareness Month.”

The council also passed an ordinance declaring county-owned property as surplus and authorizing its sale, as well as a resolution authorizing funding for acquisition of floodplain property and demolition of structures.