In June 2003, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners took up the issue of adding fluoride to the county’s drinking water. The controversy surrounding fluoridation is not new. Here are the articles and letters that address the issue as published in the St. Petersburg Times from January 2000 to the present. Fluoridation of Pinellas County’s water began on June 6, 2004.

As of October 8, 2004, 69% of the articles and letters to the St. Petersburg Times in 2004 are opposed to fluoridation or to the way it was decided upon by just 6 members of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and not by a vote of the people. Since the turn of the century (21st, that is) there have been 131 documents printed in the St. Petersburg Times: 65% are opposed to fluoridation. Some letters are duplicated in later editions of the Times; they are counted, nonetheless.

Read these articles and letters then click here
to e-mail your letter to the St. Petersburg Times.

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

2004

1. Pinellas voters should demand more responsible commissioners
   Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor October 8, 2004
2. County did what’s best for residents
   Pick Talley, Pinellas County director of utilities July 28, 2004
3. In the land of liberty, water fluoridation should have found a spot on the ballot
   Charles LeCher, [former mayor of] Clearwater July 27, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
4. Science behind treatment trumps water half-truths
   Paul Kuykendall, Belleair Bluffs July 25, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
5. Fluoride not needed for safe water
   Cathy Corry, Clearwater July 23, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
6. Fluoridation arguments were diluted
   Dr. Paul Connett, St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y. July 21, 2004
7. Medicating all of us without consent
   Alexandra Belanger, Clearwater July 21, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
8. Round earth, sound practice
   Norman A. Peterson, Clearwater July 21, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
9. Decision borders on sinister
   Eiren K. Smith, Palm Harbor July 21, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
10. Fluoridation opponent rebuts ‘common sense’
    Dr. Paul Connett, St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y. July 19, 2004
11. Practicing medicine without our consent
    Alexandra Belanger, Clearwater July 19, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
12. Commissioners sought best advice on fluoride
    Pick Talley, Pinellas County director of utilities July 19, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
13. Treated water likely to treat us well
    Diane Steinle, St. Petersburg Times July 14, 2004
14. Coverage of fluoride issue given praise
    Eiren K. Smith, Palm Harbor July 14, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
15. Public has been told about safety of fluoridation
    Pick Talley, director, Pinellas County Utilities, Clearwater July 12, 2004
16. Officials shun fluoride debate
    Virginia Brown, Clearwater July 12, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
17. Presentation was convincing
    Thomas Nocera, Clearwater July, 12, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
18. Look around; millions have shown fluoride is okay (OPINION)
    Diane Steinle, St. Petersburg Times July 11, 2004.
    
19. Chemists criticize fluoridation plan
    Pinellas leaders come under fire, but stand by their decision to add the chemical to the county’s water.
    Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times July 9, 2004
20. What’s in Pinellas’ water
    A Times Editorial Published July 8, 2004
21. Something’s toxic about these decisions
    David Plyer, Clearwater, July 8, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
22. Some people are just paranoid
    Norman A. Peterson, Clearwater, July 8, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
23. Public forum on fluoride available, but where are the county officials?
    Jackie Johnson, Clearwater, July 7, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
24. Fluoride, at this level, is not harmful
    Pick Talley, director, Pinellas County Utilities, Clearwater July 7, 2004
25. Two problems with Talley’s claims
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, July 7, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
26. Doctor, dentist didn’t prescribe it
    Louella Boshoff, Clearwater, July 7, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
27. Fluoride isn’t harmful at this level, utility says
    Pick Talley, director, Pinellas County Utilities, Clearwater, July 4, 2004
28. Alive and well despite fluoride
    H. Jeanne Grant, Clearwater , July 4, 2004 [click then scroll to letter]
29. County: Fluoridation forum would really be a protest
    Pinellas officials say the debate with fluoride opponents would serve no purpose. “The people that oppose fluoride are going to
    oppose it no matter what I say,” one official says.
    Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times July 3, 2004
30. Both sides weigh in on move to fluoridate county water, July 1, 2004
    Editor’s Note
    Pro: Dr. Reed S. Kasem, Clearwater [click then scroll to letter]
31. Con: Susan Stockton, Clearwater [click then scroll to letter]
32. Con: Louella Boshoff, Clearwater [click then scroll to letter]
33. Con: Florence Burghorn, Clearwater [click then scroll to letter]
34. History is best argument for fluoride Series: LETTERS:[STATE
    Edition] June 30, 2004
    Dr. Wallace F. Witham, Belleair Bluffs
35. Commissioners forget: They work for us [click then scroll to letter]
    Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor June 30, 2004
36. Residents should make the fluoride call [click then scroll to
    letter]
    Lenore Day, Palm Harbor, June 30, 2004
37. Filter system answer to fluoride question [click then scroll to letter]
    Art Palmer, Largo, June 30, 2004
38. Fluoridation in everyone’s best interests
    S. Edward Hopwood, D.M.D., Clearwater, June 23, 2004 [click then scroll
    to letter]
39. No need for us to fear the fluoride
    Dr. Wallace F. Witham, Belleair Bluffs, June 23, 2004
40. Fire all the commissioners who refuse to listen to us [click then scroll to letter]
    Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor, June 23, 2004
41. County has no right to subject us to fluoride [click then scroll to letter]
    Stacia Starbeck, Clearwater, June 21, 2004
42. Residents’ wishes left out of fluoridation decision [click then scroll to letter]
    Phyllis I. Heinly, Tarpon Springs, June 21, 2004
43. Why not back up safety of fluoride? [click then scroll to letter]
    Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor, June 20, 2004
44. Misinformation begins with county [click then scroll to letter]
    David Plyer, Clearwater, June 20, 2004
45. If worried about fluoridated water, you can remove it [click then scroll to letter]
    Art Palmer, Largo, June 18, 2004
46. Fluoride has hazardous uses that seem harmful to people [click then scroll to letter]
    Lenore Day, Palm Harbor, June 18, 2004
47. A primer on fluoridating our water
    Pick Talley, director, Pinellas County Water System Utilities, June 16, 2004
48. Why is county using uncommon fluoride?
    JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, June 16, 2004
49. Fluoridating water is forced medication
    Steve Collbran, Palm Harbor, June 16, 2004
50. Hydrofluorosilicic acid is safe? Prove it
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, June 16, 2004
51. No outcry as county fluoridates its water:[STATE Edition]
    Christine Dellert, St. Petersburg Times, June 16, 2004
52. Although for the fluoride plan, commissioners’ proof not solid [click then scroll to letter]
    Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor, June 15, 2004
53. Director’s fluoride statements don’t match “facts’ on Web site [click then scroll to letter]
    David Plyer, Clearwater, June 15, 2004
54. Story reveals scientific facts about fluoridating county water [click then scroll to letter]
    Barbara Lee, Largo, June 14, 2004
55. Arguments against fluoridating water are unsubstantiated, false [click then scroll to letter]
    S. Edward Hopwood, D.M.D., Clearwater, June 14, 2004
56. Fluoride is an example [click then scroll to letter]
    Tom Nocera, Clearwater, June 13, 2004
57. Health agencies offer solid support on fluoridation
    Pick Talley, director, Pinellas County Water System Utilities, June 10, 2004
58. Why is county using uncommon fluoride? [Click then scroll to letter]
    JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, June 10, 2004
59. Benefits or not, addition raises suspicion [Click then scroll to letter]
    Steve Collbran, Palm Harbor, June 10, 2004
    
60. Protesters’ data needed look beforehand [Click then scroll to letter]
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, June 10, 2004
    
61. Four reasons for leaders to rescind vote [Click then scroll to letter]
    David Plyer, Clearwater, June 10, 2004
62. County starts fluoridating water
    Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times, June 7, 2004
63. Site tells dangers of fluoridated water [Click then scroll to letter]
    Edith Jenkins, Clearwater, June 3, 2004
64. Commissioners ignore residents
    Philipp Michel “Mike” Reichold, Largo, June 1, 2004
65. No sound science available either way on fluoride
    Tammy Cihak, Palm Harbor, May 30, 2004
66. Time to shout “No more!’ to government encroachment [Click then scroll to letter]
    David Plyer, Clearwater, May 30, 2004
67. Untested medication in water should raise alarm for citizens [Click then scroll to letter]
    Elaine Nichols, Oldsmar, May 30, 2004
68. Commissioners awarded a two-year, $33,500 annual contract… to add fluoride…[click then scroll to “In other news Tuesday:”]
    Aaron Sharockman, St. Petersburg Times, May 26, 2004
    
69. Commissioners should heed will of the people and not fluoridate county water
    [click then scroll to letter]
    Kirk Bailey, Largo, May 26, 2004
70. County should seek public input and consent before making water decisions
    [click then scroll to letter]
    Scott Morris, Oldsmar, May 26, 2004
71. Residents want a say in fluoridation [click then scroll to letter]
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, May 26, 2004
72. Fluoride in water is good for public health [click then scroll to
    letter]
    Mary Ann Pittman, D.M.D., president, Pinellas County Dental Association, St. Petersburg, May 26, 2004
73. We should get a vote on our water [click then scroll to letter]
    David Plyer, Clearwater, May 26, 2004
74. Fluoridation requires more talk, data [click then scroll to letter]
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, May 18, 2004
75. ‘Insane’ to use water pipes for anything but pure liquid [click then scroll to letter]
    Jackie Johnson, Clearwater, May 13, 2004
    
76. Fluoridation foes have been ignored
    Virginia Brown, Clearwater, May 12, 2004
77. Keep our water pure and safe; don’t add hydrofluorosilicic acid [click then scroll to letter]
    Elyse Van Breemen,
    Clearwater, May 10, 2004
78. Fluoride in county water [click then scroll to letter]
    Virginia Brown, Clearwater, May 6, 2004
79. Let citizens vote on whether to treat their water with fluoride [click then scroll to letter]
    Doyle Mills, Clearwater, May 5, 2004
80. Fluoridated water: It can happen to us [click then scroll to letter]
    Phil Chapman, Newport Richey, Mar 18, 2004
81. Our overexposure to fluoride is causing harm to bones, teeth
    Susan Stockton, Clearwater, March 16, 2004
82. [Pasco] County considers fluoridating its water
    James Thorner, St. Petersburg Times, Mar 14, 2004

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2003

1. Fighting mad about fluoridation [click then scroll to letter]
   Phyllis I. Heinly, Tarpon Springs, Sep 21, 2003
2. How many drink bottled water? [click then scroll to letter]
   David H. Miller, St. Petersburg, Sep 21, 2003
3. County doesn’t need to be dentist [click then scroll to letter]
   Kitty
   Magness, Dunedin, Sep 7, 2003
4. Fluoride problems outweigh benefits [click then scroll to letter]
   Barbara Lee, Largo, Sep 7, 2003
5. Fluoridated water not necessary
   Kitty Magness, Dunedin, Sep 1, 2003
6. Pinellas joins the flow, adds fluoride
   Michael Sandler, St.
   Petersburg Times, Aug 27, 2003
7. Vote could come today on fluoride for county
   Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times, Aug 26, 2003.
8. Don’t use the public as guinea pigs [click then scroll to letter]
   Donald Kraus, St. Petersburg, Aug 20, 2003
9. County shouldn’t force fluoride use
   Von G. Taylor Jr., Safety Harbor, Aug 20, 2003
10. Residents should have choice on fluoridation [click then scroll to letter]
    Angela Schrader, Dunedin, Aug 20, 2003
11. County must consider fluoridation carefully [click then scroll to letter]
    Von G. Taylor Jr., Safety Harbor, Aug 15, 2003
12. Fluoride debate continues
    Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times, Aug 12, 2003
13. Pinellas officials move closer to fluoridation
    Michael Sandler, St. Petersburg Times, Aug 12, 2003
14. Separate fact from fluoride fiction
    Alexander Chow, Safety Harbor, Jun 25, 2003
15. Fluoride protects our teeth, so please add it… [click then scroll to letter]
    Bert Hanson, Largo, Jun 24, 2003
16. Fluoride, fluorine gas not the same
    Alexander Chow, Safety Harbor, Jun 23, 2003 [click then scroll to letter]
17. This family doesn’t want fluoride
    Darcy Y. Flynn, Holiday, Jun 22, 2003
18. Don’t fluoridate the water [click then scroll to letter]
    Victoria Smith, Clearwater, Jun 22, 2003
19. Fluoride’s definition should open eyes to its risks
    Darcy Y. Flynn, Holiday, Jun 19, 2003
20. Fluoride is nothing more than another water contaminant [click then scroll to letter]
    Victoria Smith, Clearwater, Jun 19, 2003
21. Fluoridation needs more study [click then scroll to letter]
    Dr. Beth Wardrum, St. Petersburg, Jun 16, 2003
22. Commissioners like fluoride idea
    Lisa Greene, St. Petersburg Times, Jun 8, 2003

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2002

1. Forcing fluoride on people is unhealthy [click then scroll to letter]
   Ann A. Smalling, Largo, Feb 8, 2002
2. There’s still ignorance about fluoride
   Diana Mucci, Registered Dental Hygienist, Gulfport, Feb 6, 2002
3. County should not fluoridate water
   Virginia Lang, Treasure Island, Jan 30, 2002
4. You can always use fluoride toothpaste [click then scroll to letter]
   Ann A. Smalling, Largo, Jan 30, 2002

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2001

1. Fluoride negatives rarely addressed
   Dennis Pemberton, Largo, Oct 24, 2001
2. Fluoride argument fails to hold water [click then scroll to letter]
   Patrick Perkins, St. Petersburg, Oct 24, 2001
3. Water is wrong way to deliver fluoride [click then scroll to letter]
   Ann A. Smalling, Largo, Oct 24, 2001
4. Family sings praises of fluoridated water [click then scroll to letter]
   Bert Hanson, Largo, Oct 24, 2001
5. County should find other ways to promote fluoride
   Dennis Pemberton, Largo, Oct 15, 2001
6. Fluoridated water isn’t necessary [click then scroll to letter]
   Ann A. Smalling, Largo, Oct 15, 2001
7. Fluoridation would benefit Pinellas
   Stephen T. Perez, GUEST COLUMN, St. Petersburg Times, Oct 14, 2001
8. Go carefully before fluoridating water
   Dottie Manley, Clearwater, Oct 8, 2001
9. Fluoride is proving to be toxic [click then scroll to letter]
   Brian L. Abrams, Clearwater, Oct 8, 2001
10. Water fluoridation has long, successful history
    Dr. Stephen T. Perez, president of the Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, GUEST COLUMN, St. Petersburg Times, Oct 8, 2001
11. County: Should we fluoridate our water?
    Lisa Greene, St. Petersburg Times, Sep 21, 2001
12. Aluminum fluoride in water questioned [click then scroll to letter]
    Jane Jones, National Pure Water Association, UK, Jun 29, 2001
13. Fluoride pills provide cheaper alternative to fluoridated water
    Lillian Tetley, Spring Hill, Jun 3, 2001
14. Fluoride in water may not be best idea [click then scroll to letter]
    D. Kacarka, Brooksville, May 31, 2001
15. Let’s keep fluoridating water supply
    Jill Shiffer Gehrig, registered dental hygienist, Brooksville , May 29, 2001
16. Stop exposing people to fluoride’s risks [click then scroll to letter]
    Paul Beeber, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Old Bethpage, N.Y., May 29, 2001
17. It’s ignorant to just reject fluoridation
    Dominick A. Ruggiero, Jr., Spring Hill, May 20, 2001
18. Water fluoridation is an idea whose time has finally arrived [Hernando County]
    Jeff Webb, St. Petersburg Times, May 16, 2001
19. Dentists renew push for fluoride in water [Hernando County]
    Jeffrey S. Solochek, St. Petersburg Times, May 14, 2001

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2000

1. Pensacola will get fluoridated water [click then scroll down to article]
   December 16, 2000
2. Study: No harm from fluoridated water
   October 7, 2000 [click then scroll down to article]
3. Fluoride fighter [Anita M. Knight] takes on experts
   Bryan Gilmer, St. Petersburg Times, Apr 14, 2000
4. [St. Petersburg] City Council to hear concerns about fluoride
   April 13, 2000 [click then scroll to letter]

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