Kennewick council rejects fluoride

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Kennewick council rejects fluoride

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/2002/0116/story1.html

The city of Kennewick in the State of Washington has sensibly rejected a

" free " grant to add fluoride to the water.

This story was published 1/16/2002

By Trumbo

Herald staff writer

The city council has decided Kennewick will remain fluoride free.

More than half the people filling the council chambers erupted in cheers

and applause Tuesday night after a 4-3 vote rejected a $450,000 grant to

help pay for putting the substance in city water as an agent to fight tooth

decay.

" God bless you all, " exclaimed Sherry , 37, of Kennewick after the

vote. Her 9-year-old daughter Selah gave a toothy grin of approval.

Councilman Moak made the motion to accept the grant from the

Washington Dental Service Foundation, quickly gaining a second from

Councilwoman Margery Price.

It was futile.

Mayor Jim Beaver, Councilmen Olson and Bob Parks already had

declared their opposition. Councilman Hempstead was with Moak, but

Councilman Parish's no vote confirmed defeat for fluoride advocates.

" We'll take our money somewhere else, " said Dr. Spencer Jilek, a dentist in

Pasco and a member of the board of the Washington Dental Service Foundation.

The council allowed no public testimony but did permit each side to have

five minutes to summarize their positions before the vote.

Craig Christian, a dentist from Richland, said he switched from being a

fluoride supporter after researching its benefits and systemic effects.

" There is some dental benefit, " he said, but added that a 1999

Environmental Protection Agency study reported finding high levels of lead

in the blood of children who had been receiving fluoride. " High-level

scientists now say fluoride is not beneficial and causes some cancers. "

Jilek and Tuohy shared their allotted time to urge fluoridation of

the city water supply to about 58,000 people. " This community, more than

any other in Washington, needs fluoride. It is safe and effective, " Jilek said.

" We cannot afford not to do this, " Tuohy said.

Olson peppered Jilek with questions about where the $450,000 was coming

from and whether fluoride was a toxin. Olson then drilled the dentist on

why proponents weren't targeting " candy and soda pop being sold in schools "

as part of the problem.

When Olson took a breather, Parks took over.

" Will fluoride prevent caries? " Parks asked. " Isn't pop, candy and not

brushing the problem? If I use fluoride does that mean I don't have to

brush my teeth? "

Jilek tried to wedge in answers, but he barely was heard because Parks

didn't allow time for a reply.

" I'm not against fluoride, " Parks said. " I use it and give it to my kids,

but I'm against putting it in the water. "

Hempstead said his yes vote was based on the fact that 80 percent of the

people he talked with in recent days think fluoridation is a good idea.

Parish and Price kept out of the crossfire talk.

But the mayor rushed in for final, furious last words.

" I have a real problem because it involves children, and the choice should

be made by the parents of those children, " Beaver said.

The mayor also resented being given a Feb. 15 deadline by the foundation to

accept the grant. " If you were really concerned about health you'd give

more than two weeks, " he said.

Beaver referred to a pile of reports he pulled off the Internet as

testimonials about how fluoridation has come under suspicion across the

country, and studies that have shown that adding the element to municipal

water has not had any effect on oral health for children.

In a final stab, the mayor expressed suspicion about the source of the

grant. " Nothing's free. So where's the hook? " he asked. " It disturbs me

it's not on the ballot, and we've got this drop dead date. I'll vote no. "

Jilek said after the vote that he wasn't surprised. " I knew it would be

tough. For them to question the validity of the foundation is ridiculous.

If they'd researched us they would know that, " he said.

Jilek said the foundation has a priority list and will simply take the

money someplace else in Washington.