The Fluoride Action Network
The First Victories of 2006

Dear All,
Back from China - more on that later. Here I am excited to report the first victory of 2006. On January 13 a local newspaper in Rockford, Iowa announced the Council's decision to halt fluoridation after practicing it for 20 years (see article below).

What makes this telling from our perspective is that it had no direct influence from us. Because of our and other efforts over the last few years - as well as growing media attention - more and more local, health and water officials are realizing there is something wrong about the practice of fluoridation and given the opportunity - like having to spend money to update failing equipment - they are deciding to stop fluoridation.

It is going to be difficult for proponents to stop this tide, largely because they have no robust answers to the serious scientific concerns being raised. Once people open their eyes and read what is out there in the peer-reviewed and published literature there will be no turning back. It would be ironic if confronted with this turning tide the proponents find themselves asking for a debate!

Do please congratulate the decision makers in Rockford, Iowa via the newspaper at kristin.buehner@globegazette.com

Paul Connett: http://www.fluorideACTION.net

20th January 2006, FAN Bulletin #454:

Rockford to Discontinue Fluoride Water Treatment
by Kristin Buehner

ROCKFORD: The Rockford City Council on Thursday voted to discontinue putting fluoride into its drinking water.

"We needed to put new equipment in for it and (the city public works director) didn't really recommend doing it," Mayor Harry White said today.

Adding fluoride to the drinking water is not required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, he said.

"As far as I know, there's never been any complaints about having it or not having it."

City public works director Randy Schweizer said he recommended discontinuing the practice because he believes the value of fluoridation is questionable.

"There's a wave (of opinion) against fluoride," he said. "Kids get fluoride treatment in schools and they get it from their dentists. Maybe we're getting too much fluoride in these kids."

The community had been fluoridating its drinking water since 1985, Schweizer said.

The fluoridation was discontinued two months ago because the equipment was not working properly and would have to have been replaced, he said.

"It was a constant battle trying to get the correct amount in."

Both White and Schweizer said the city will save money by discontinuing the fluoridation, but that the exact amount has not been calculated.
The Globe Gazette 13th January 2006
kristin.buehner@globegazette.com.

Yarmouth Says No to Fluoridation
by Craig Salter

In a Jan. 10 letter to selectmen, the board outlined its exploration of the issue and made note of a public informational meeting April 24 last year as well as public hearings June 20 and July 18.

While noting that many people spoke in favor of fluoridation at the meetings and that no meeting had more than 50 people present, the board said the tone of the meetings was decidedly anti-fluoridation.

"At all three public meetings, the clear sentiment of the majority of the public present was that the town should not add fluoride to the drinking water," reads the letter.

The letter ends with the following statement: "The Board of Health does not recommend fluoridation of the drinking water in our community at this time."
The Register