Fluoride issue comes up again

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October 5, 2009

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="">  More discussion, but Common Council will still vote Nov. 19

By JOE LoTEMPLIO The Press Republican Mon Oct 05, 2009, 07:51 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Another attempt by the Plattsburgh Common Council to put the fluoride debate to bed failed Thursday night.

But the issue sparked strong debate from both sides during a 90-minute meeting.

"This has been entertaining watching both sides go at it, but the entertainment is over," resident Daniel Rugar told councilors.

"This is now disrupting the community."

For the past nine months, councilors have been debating whether fluoride should remain in the city's water supply, as it has for about 50 years.

Opponents argue that it is harmful, and residents should not be forced to ingest it.

Supporters say it is safe and helps prevent tooth decay.

Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) last week offered a resolution to cease the use of fluoride, but the council, at the behest of Councilor Amy Valentine (D-Ward 5), agreed to postpone a vote until Nov. 19 so more information could be obtained.

But Thursday night, Councilor Chris Jackson (D-Ward 6), who voted against postponing the vote, tried to get action taken right away.

"We get new information on this all the time, and people keep coming here week after week, reading to us," Jackson said. "That tells me they are looking for us to vote. It's like gestation. It's been nine months — it's time to have the baby."

Valentine argued that forcing a vote because councilors were tired of hearing the debate was a "moral judgment, and that is not right."

She also called Jackson's move for a vote "Bushesque," in reference to former President George W. Bush.

She said that not telling her about the vote before the meeting was unethical of the council and Mayor Donald Kasprzak.

Councilor Michael Kelly (D-Ward 2) suggested the city buy $10,000 worth of toothpaste to be handed out by the city clerk to people who want fluoride.

"I'd rather do that instead of mass medicating the entire population of the city," Kelly said.

He said that even if the council voted on the issue, it would not stop people from coming to meetings to speak.

Corporation Counsel John Clute warned that if citizens abuse the right to speak, the council can change rules regarding public-comment periods.

"This council has been more than generous with their public-comment periods, and the city traditionally has been one of the few governments that allows people to speak about anything they want, but those rules can be changed."

Councilors voted 4-2 to leave the issue on the table until Nov. 19, with Jackson and Councilor George Rabideau (R-Ward 3) voting against it.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com