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UK Against Fluoridation

Friday, April 13, 2007

USA - Holmen board keeps fluoride issue alive

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Holmen board keeps fluoride issue alive
By BOB SEAQUIST/Special to the Tribune
HOLMEN, Wis. — Holmen has not seen the end of fluoride for its water supply.
The village board Thursday turned away a motion to keep fluoride out of its public water supply by a 4-3 vote.
Holmen remains one of the largest municipalities in Wisconsin not to add the substance, which supporters say prevents tooth decay and detractors say is mass medication at best and mass poisoning at worst.
“We haven’t seen the end of it,” said board member Mark Seitz.
Seitz and board member Ryan Olson suggested the board’s Finance and Personnel Committee take a look at the issue and what it would cost.
“My biggest concern about fluoridation is the cost, which I think is not prohibitive,” said Seitz.
“The benefits of (fluoridating the water supply) are clear — it is cost-effective for public health,” said Olson. “The majority of village residents want it.”
Olson said all Minnesota cities and 90 percent of Wisconsin municipalities have fluoridated water. “You don’t hear those residents agitating to get out of it,” he said.
Thursday’s meeting generated some small fireworks between Village President John Chapman and Olson, with Chapman saying Olson had a conflict of interest because his family’s business owns the building used by fluoridation proponent Randall Moseng, a dentist who is chairman of Holmen Citizens for Better Dental Health.
“You should disclose that your family rents to Dr. Moseng,” said Chapman.
“It infuriates me you are accusing me of taking my oath of office frivolously,” Olson fired back. “The voters can determine if I have conflicts.”
Voting against the resolution to keep fluoride out of the water supply were Ron Allers, Nancy Proctor, Olson and Seitz.
Voting for it — and thus against fluoridation — were Rich Anderson, Neil Forde and Chapman.

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