FAN Bulletin  #507:

March 2, 2006.

Dear All,

Yet another community - Rifle, Colorado - which has been fluoridated for many years, is questioning the practice and once again it is the personnel at the water department who have raised concerns.

If you live in a fluoridated community and you haven’t done so already try checking with the water department people. They are our natural allies. They are the ones who have to handle this horribly toxic material. They are the ones who see what it does to the pipes and see how the fumes etch their windows. Moreover, many are uneasy about playing doctor to the whole community when they have never received any medical training. They thought their job was to deliver the best and safest water to the people, not taint it with poison.

Below we have printed several pieces from the local newspaper (The Telegram). This consists of a balanced article on the topic followed by URLs to a con and pro piece, as well as three letters.

The paper seems anxious to receive input so this might be a good time to dust up your best (and shortest letter) and send it in to the reporter and ask her to forward it to the Editor for the letters page. It would be a good idea to congratulate her and the paper for their balanced efforts.

Paul Connett
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The Telegram, Rifle, Colorado

March 02 - March 09, 2006

News

To fluoridate or not: it may come down to a vote

By Heidi Rice

Telegram Staff Reporter

Whether or not to fluoridate the Rifle’s drinking water is still up for
debate, and city council members have yet to make a decision.

“I’m not prepared to make a comment about it because we, as a council,
haven’t discussed it,” said Mayor Keith Lambert.

And, at least from Rifle City Hall staffers’ perspectives, Rifleites don’t
seem particularly concerned about the issue.

Rifle public works director Bill Sappington said he has received only a
handful of calls from people about the issue.

“How many people are even drinking the water?” Sappington questioned.

The subject of fluoridation came up two weeks ago when city staff at the
water treatment plant made a presentation to council members during an
informal workshop. There, staff members voiced their opposition to
fluoridating the water.

No council action was taken at the workshop.

The city of Rifle has fluoridated its water for years. However, the subject
of whether or not to continue the process came up a year ago when the
equipment used to fluoridate broke down and staff sought direction from the
council on whether to replace it or not.

After little input from the public, council directed staff to replace the
equipment and continue with the fluoridation. However, Sappington said that
after review, the city did not have the funds to install the proper
equipment and the water has not been fluoridated since that time.

“We were under the impression we could install a type of equipment adequate
for our needs,” Sappington said. “But in review of the features needed for
proper application, there were critical items needed to ensure we apply
(the fluoride) at the proper application rate.”

The city of Glenwood Springs has been fluoridating its water for years. The
town of New Castle does not fluoridate the water, nor do the towns of Silt
or Parachute.

At the workshop, Rifle council members tentatively voiced their opinions,
but said they would like to hear more information before making a decision.

“It seems we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t,” said Councilor
Sandy Vaccaro. “It’s weird - there are people at both ends of this. To me,
either it’s good or it’s not. I just don’t want the public to think our
drinking water is unsafe.”

Councilor Jeff Johnson pointed out that there is no penalty if the city
doesn’t fluoridate the water.

“Let’s leave it at status quo,” Johnson said. “Let’s decide not to do it,
but that we would like to see what their arguments (in favor) are. It looks
like the non-fluoridation for me comes ahead.”

Councilor Jen Firmin is not in favor of forcing fluoridated water on people
who don’t want it.

“Unless we know it’s a really good thing, let’s educate the public and let
them compensate,” she said.

Rifle city manager John Hier suggested the council listen to experts on
both sides before making a decision.

“There’s no right or wrong, simply different opinions about it,” Hier said.
“We may conclude to ask the citizens what they want. We’re not qualified to
decide - we need to hear from the experts.”

Some have suggested that the matter be put on the ballot in the November
2006 election for Rifle citizens to decide.

Got an opinion?

Let city officials know what you think about fluoridating Rifle’s water.

Call Rifle’s public works department at 625-6223 or leave a message for
Rifle’s city officials at 625-2121.

Reporter Heidi Rice