The Danville City Council Public Services Committee has recommended an ordinance to the full City Council designed to prevent a clinic planning to come to the old Dillman Eye Care at 600 North Logan from offering abortions. The vote was 3-1; with Aldermen Ethan Burt, Eve Ludwig, and Robert Williams voting “yes.” Alderwoman Tricia Teague voted “no.” Alderwoman Sharon Pickering and Alderman Darren York were absent, and Alderman Rick Strebing abstained from the vote.
There were 31 public speakers who spoke on the issue, 21 in favor of the ordinance. One speaker of note was former Alderwoman Brenda Brown; who stated her anti-abortion position, but also stated opposition to the ordinance due to the legal “can of worms” it could open for the City of Danville. But Brown also recommended sending it on to the full Danville City Council for a full vote next week, and that’s what happened.
(1st Picture) Pat Phillips addresses council committee about her own regrets from an abortion she had while in her 20s. (2nd Picture) ACLU’s Chaundre White gives her opinion on why the proposed ordinance will not hold up in court.
The most interesting exchange prior to the vote was between Aldermen Burt and Teague. Much of the ordinance involves prohibiting the reception, by mail, of “any article or thing designed, adapted, or intended for producing an abortion.”
Teague questioned the feasibility of enforcing this; but also whether it’s worth it risking a load of legal fees that could keep piling up if the city ends up being wrong according to the courts.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: We’re elected to represent the citizens of Danville, and we have to look at all perspectives. As a taxpayer, it was important for me to look at all perspectives and then respond accordingly.
(1st Picture) Committee, Mayor Williams, and Police Chief Yates talk about possible enforcement of ordinance, (2nd Picture) Former Alderman Brenda Brown thanks everyone who showed up to speak, before stating her opposition to both abortion and the proposed ordinance, (3rd Picture) Aldermen Ethan Burt (back) and Tricia Teague (second from front) debate whether the ordinance would be worth possible extreme legal costs to the city. (Also pictured: Aldermen Robert Williams and Eve Ludwig.)
Burt, on the other hand, believes this is a battle worth fighting.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: The point that she directed at me was, “Is it worth a million dollars to find out?” And I was just being clear that it’s worth a million dollars to win, with the obvious implication that I too don’t want to waste a million dollars. But you’re talking about human lives.
As for Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; very much against the clinic; he said, yes, it is true, he and the Council members have been cautioned by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: The letter has been provided, but essentially they think that by passing this ordinance we would be in violation of state law.
But despite what the ACLU is saying, when it comes to fighting legal battles over this, Mayor Williams says, attorney Jonathan Mitchell, who once worked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia; has said he would represent the city, at no charge. We spoke with the mayor about this after the meeting.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: He said that if we were to pass this ordinance he would represent us out of any claims arising out of this matter. And he would legally defend us. (Now, what about costs; will he do it for free, or what?) He’ll be doing it for free. (He would?) Yes.
So now, the issue will be on the agenda for next Tuesday’s full council meeting; on Tuesday, May 2nd. And then at the end of that meeting, the new city council will be sworn in with a separate meeting; with Jon Cooper replacing Ethan Burt in Ward 6, and Ed Butler replacing Alesia Ford in Ward 1.
