September 16 1996

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Local governments typically do not become enmeshed in controversial federal legislation. But Kettering, Ohio, had a vested interest in the partial-birth abortion bill vetoed by President Clinton. Martin Haskell, the originator of this dilation and extraction (D&X) method, does second-trimester abortions at Women's Med Center in the Dayton suburb of 60,000.

Subsequently, the Kettering City Council voted 6 to 0 on July 23 to pass "a statement of personal intent" supporting a congressional override of the veto. In a D&X procedure, the abortionist stabs scissors into the base of the baby's skull after partial delivery, then suctions out the brain. No government statistics are kept on the procedure, but pro-life groups estimate that between 400 and 1,200 are done each year, with Haskell doing about 200 of those.

The council became involved due to pressure from local pro-life and ministerial groups. More than 2,500 signatures had been gathered at local churches the Sunday before the vote urging such action. Fourteen pastors attended the meeting.

Clergy spokesperson Kenny Mahanes of Far Hills Baptist Church reviewed how the veto has drawn unprecedented criticism from all eight American Catholic cardinals and the current and 10 former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention. Mahanes tailored his prepared text because he was instructed by the mayor not to be graphic. "The procedure is so barbaric and grotesque he didn't want it described in public," Mahanes told CT.

"When wanton cruelty happens in a city, people have to respond to it," council member John J. White told CT. White says the city has exhausted means to try to keep Haskell from operating, and on legal advice, did not pass a full-fledged resolution.

Nearby Washington ...