USA: Supreme Court override locals

Supreme Court turns down Watsonville's appeal to keep fluoride out of its waterBy Donna JonesSentinel Staff Writer
WATSONVILLE — A state dental group will likely offer the city money as early as next week to fluoridate the local water supply.
For the past three years, the city has waged a legal fight against state officials to uphold a voter-approved measure that essentially banned the controversial public health effort.
But the city lost its battle Wednesday against a state law that mandates fluoridation under certain circumstances when the state Supreme Court declined to hear the city's final appeal.
"The council felt it was important because of the public vote that every legal means should be exhausted," City Manager Carlos Palacios said. "Now that the courts have made the decision, we'll have to follow it."
Previously, the Santa Cruz County Superior Court and the 6th District Court of Appeals said state fluoride law trumps local ordinance. The appeals court ruling set a precedent that opens the door for fluoridation in communities statewide.
Santa Cruz also is among several California communities where voters have turned down fluoridation.
Jon Roth, president of the California Dental Association Foundation, said the organization has been holding onto nearly $1 million earmarked for fluoridating city water while the case worked its way through the courts, and officials overseeing the fund will meet next week to discuss releasing the money.
(Extract)