ANTI-FLUORIDATION WORLDWIDE


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		ANTI-FLUORIDATION WORLDWIDE - THE VICTORIES Dear All, While this battle at times seems overwhelming, it is useful to take stock how far we have come over the last few years. Michael (web master for the Fluoride Action Network web page http://www.fluoridealert.org) has been reviewing recent fluoridation campaign activities around the world and prepared the following list of events. With so much going on there are probably many omissions. If you spot any would you please let us know so that we can continue to update this list. 1. CITIZEN PETITION and INITIATIVE DRIVES. 2. LEGAL VICTORIES. 3. HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANDATES. 4. RECENT REJECTIONS OF FLUORIDATION. 5. QUESTIONING/DEBATING FLUORIDATION. 6. COMMUNITIES WITH FLUORIDATION PROPOSALS. 7. SUBVERSIONS OF ANTI-FLUORIDATION VOTES. Every victory counts whether it is a village or a large city or a whole country. A victory anywhere gives us hope everywhere. Fluoride free by zero three! Paul Connett. 1. CITIZEN PETITION AND INITIATIVE DRIVES: Davis County, Utah: Davis citizens have gathered enough signatures (8000+) to force a revote on its mandatory countywide fluoridation program this November. This is a major victory. Hats off to Utah Citizens for Safe Drinking Water. See: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/utah/davis-revote.htm Redding, California: As with Davis County, Redding Citizens for Safe Drinking Water have gathered enough signatures to put the fluoridation issue to a public vote. They were compelled to do this after the Redding city council voted 4-1 last September to fluoridate the water. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/calif/redding-petition.htm http://www.redding.com/top_stories/local/20020626toplo045.shtml Watsonville, California: In a proactive twist, with precedent-making potential, Watsonville citizens have gathered enough signatures to put a safe drinking water initiative to a vote this November. The Watsonville Safe Drinking Water Initiative prohibits the addition of any substance to the public water supply for the purpose of treating people, rather than the water, that has not been specifically approved by the U.S. FDA for safety and effectiveness in accordance with health claims made, at all levels of consumption. In addition, the proposed citizen-created ordinance would prohibit adding any substance to the public drinking water for treating humans that contains contaminants that exceed already-established California and U.S. public health goals. This has obvious implications for Watsonville's current plans for fluoridation. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/calif/watsonville-initiative.htm Billings, Montana: As with Davis Co, Redding and Watsonville, it looks like Billings citizens will be able to gather enough signatures to force a public referendum. They were compelled to do so after the Billings city council voted 9-1 this May to fluoridate Billings water. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/mont/council-petition.htm http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/mont/billings-council.vote.htm Fond du Lac, Michigan: Like Billings, Fond du Lac residents are hoping to replicate the success of Davis County, Redding CA, and Watsonville CA, by petitioning for a public vote this November on fluoridation. The Fond du Lac city council voted 5 to 2 against the public referendum, and so residents have had to go on a petition drive to make it a reality. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/wisconsin/fdl-petition.htm 2. LEGAL VICTORIES: Manchester, New Hampshire: A New Hampshire Superior Court judge has ordered an injunction against the fluoridation program in Manchester NH, on the grounds that the city violated state law by fluoridating adjacent communities without allowing the communities their right to referendum. According to Judge Robert J. Lynn, "It necessarily follows that where a single supplier services more than one municipality, there must be a hearing and vote in each of said municipalities." See:http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=11717 http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=11832 Woods Cross, Utah: In June, Woods Cross won a court case which allows them to not take part in Davis County's current fluoridation mandate. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/utah/woods.cross.june-02.htm Israel: The Israel Union for Environmental Defense and the Union of Local Authorities have won some needed breathing room in their campaign against mandatory fluoridation in Israel. A judge ordered a freeze on all regulations compelling water suppliers serving more than 5,000 residents to fluoridate. According to the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, "The order, issued Tuesday by Justice Eliezer Rivlin, will remain in force for three months until the court has debated a petition by the Union of Local Authorities, Herzliya council and the Israel Union for Environmental Defense to annul these laws on grounds that fluoride is dangerous to humans and the environment." See: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/israel/court-ruling.htm 3. HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANDATES: Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington: In light of the difficulties proponents of fluoridation are having in winning public referendums, it looks as if they may now begin trying to avoid public referenda by getting Health Departments to simply mandate the measure. This was the approach taken recently by the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health in Washington State. Of particular concern is that "Since the April vote, health department directors across the state have congratulated the county on its stand and said they will follow suit if the mandate stands up in court...They're all waiting to see what happens here." See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/WA/TP-mandate.htm http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/WA/TP-salmon.htm Lakewood, Washington: Lakewood Washington, located within Tacoma/Pierce County, is one of the towns challenging the Health Department's mandate. See:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/WA/lakewood2.htm http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/WA/lakewood.htm Methuen, Massachusetts: Under very questionable circumstances, the Methuen Board of Health followed the same path as Tacoma/Pierce County by mandating fluoridation. This despite the fact that Methuen's citizens have twice voted against fluoridation, the most recent rejection being just 5 years ago. The secretive nature of the Board's vote sparked quite a bit of controversy in Methuen - and thanks to the efforts of the Mayor - the mandate has since been rescinded. See: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/mass/methuen2.htm http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/mass/methuen.htm 4. RECENT REJECTIONS OF FLUORIDATION: Ashburton, New Zealand: See IFIN bulletin #521 (Ashburton voted to stop fluoridation in February , 02, letter from Bill Wilson). Inglewood and Kaitake, New Zealand:See IFIN bulletin #538. Allerdale and Buttermere, West Cumbria, UK. See IFIN bulletin # 537, but also see subversion of vote by United Utilities in section 7. Kumezima,Okinawa prefecture, Japan: See IFIN bulletin #568. Mount Alexander Shire, Australia:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/australia/mt-alexander.htm Franklin, North Carolina:http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/NC/franklin.htm Missoula, Montana: http://www.fluoridealert.org/ifin-557.htm http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/mont/missoula2.htm For a comprehensive list of US & Canadian communities that have rejected fluoridation in the last few years, see:http://www.fluoridealert.org/communities.htm This list was compiled by Maureen Jones, Citizens for Safe Drinking Water in San Jose, California. Victories since 1990. Franklin, North Carolina 5/02 Plainville, Massachusetts 4/01/02 Monroe, Louisiana 2/26/02 Colorado Springs, Colorado 1/16/02 Kennewick, Washington 1/15/02 Benninton, Vermont 1/8/02 Lanai, Hawaii 01/02 Cobalt, Ontario 12/11/01 Erie, Colorado 11/01 Modesto, California 11/7/01 Worcester, Massachusetts 11/7/01 Flagstaff, Arizona 11/7/01 Sutherlin, Oregon 11/7/01 Kamloops, British Columbia 10/13/01 White Salmon, Washington 9/01 Goldendale, Washington 9/01 McPherson, Kansas 4/3/01 Norridgewock, Maine 3/5/01 Blue River, Wisconsin 2/01 Willamina, Oregon 1//0 Ithaca, New York 11/7/00 Spokane, Washington 11/7/00 Brattleboro, Vermont 11/7/00 Wenatchee, Washington 11/7/00 Shawano, Wisconsin 11/7/00 Nibly City, Utah 11/7/00 Hyrum City, Utah 11/7/00 Providence City, Utah 11/7/00 Smithfield City, Utah 11/7/00 Logan City, Utah 11/7/00 River Heights, Utah 11/7/00 Pequannock, New Jersey 11/7/00 Ozark, Missouri 11/7/00 Wooster, Ohio 11/7/00 (4th time voting No) Squamish, British Columbia 10/16/00 Woodside, California 9/00 Ste. Genevieve, Missouri 8/8/00 Winfield, Kansas 3/6/00 Wilmington, Massachusetts 2/15/00 Santa Barbara, California 11/23/99 Johnstown, New York 11/19/99 Tooele, Utah 11/2/99 Wichita, Kansas 10/26/99 Boca Raton, Florida 10/25/99 El Carjon, California 4/27/99 Escondido, California 4/7/99 Helix Water District, California 4/7/99 Lakeside Water District, California 4/6/99 Hutchinson, Kansas 3/30/99 Riverview Water District, California 3/24/99 Wenatchee, Washington 3/8/99 La Mesa, California 3/9/99 Santa Cruz, California 3/4/99 ...banned Bremerton, California 2/2/99 Olympia, Washington 12/15/99 Seward, Nebraska 11/3/98 Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada 7/28/98...quit after 30 years Ste. Genevieve, Missouri 7/1/98...quit after 13 years Grand Island, Nebraska 5/13/98...quit Norfolk, Nebraksa 5/13/98 North Platte, Nebraska 5/13/98 Washington, Missouri 4/7/98 Kitmat, British Columbia, Canada 3/98...quit Hot Springs, Arkansas 2/98 Ridgefield, Oregon 12/22/97 Methuen, Massachusetts 11/04/97 Brisbane, Australia 10/01/97 Spokane, Washington 8/25/97 Largo, Florida 7/15/97 Clearwater, Florida 7/15/97 North Redington Beach, Florida 7/15/97 Amsterdam, New York 5/21/97 Suisun City, California 5/1/97 Yardly, Pennsylvannia 4/16/97 Erie, Pennsylvannia 3/21/97 Village of Orfordville, Wisconsin 12/9/96 Western Nassau County, New York 11/21/96...quit after 23 years Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada 11/16/96...quit after 42 years Gothenberg, Nebraska 11/96 Worcestor, Massachusetts 11/6/96 Bloomer, Wisconsin 11/6/9 Kodiak, Alaska 7/12/9 Carle Place, New York 2/1/96...quit Winter Springs, Florida 1/10/96 Pasco, Florida 12/14/95 York, Pennsylvannia 7/29/9 Thurmont, Maryland 2/3/94 Albany, New York 12/8/94 Middletown, Maryland 11/93...quit Sarnia, Ontario, Canada 1/30/93 Barnstable, (Cape Cod) Massachusetts 11/4/93 Wagoner, Oklahoma 6/17/93 Redwood Valley, California 2/6/93 Los Altos Hills (Purissima) California /93 Campbell River, British Columbia, Canad 4/93...quit after 33 years Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada 11/93...quit after 19 years Squamish, British Columbia, Canada 11/93...quit after 20 year Fort Smith, Arkansas 11/3/92 Milltown, Wisconsin 10/17/92 Bellingham, Washington 5/19/92 Washoe County, Nevada 7/15/92 Comox/Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada 2/92 Palm Beach County, Florida 10/22/91 Ketchikan, Alaska 10/2/91 Suffolk County, New York 8/15/91 Davis, California 12/14/90...5th rejection Morgan Hill, California 3/7/90...quit 5. QUESTIONING/DEBATING FLUORIDATION: Durban, South Africa: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/south-africa/durban.htm Centerville, Utah: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/utah/centerville-06.07.02.htm West Jordan, Utah: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/utah/west-jordan.htm Bolton, England: http://www.npwa.freeserve.co.uk/Bolton_Evening_News.html Ireland: http://www.fluoridealert.org (see home page) South Africa: See recent IFIN bulletins. Methven, New Zealand. See IFIN bulletin #580. 6. COMMUNITIES WITH FLUORIDATION PROPOSALS: Texarkana, Texas & Texarkana, Arkansas: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/texarkana1.htm Kennebunk & Kennebunkport, Maine: http://fluoridealert.org/news/maine/kennebunk.htm Edwardsburg, Indiana: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/06/23/local.20020623-sbt- MICH-C3-Edwardsburg_consider.sto Timaru, New Zealand: See IFIN bulletin #580. Geelong, Australia: Persoanl correspondence with Philip Robertson carmoora@bigpond.com>. South Africa: See recent IFIN bulletins # 585 et seq. 7. SUBVERSIONS OF ANTI-FLUORIDATION VOTES. Allerdale, West Cumbria, UK See IFIN bulletins #581, 595. June 29, 2002.