USA - Corning debates

Corning debates adding fluoride to drinking water
7/26/2007 10:39 PM
By: Kat De MariaCORNING, N.Y. -- In May, Corning city council members voted to add fluoride to the city water supply.
Now they've learned there's a way residents may be able to overturn that action.
"If ten percent of the voters, of the registered voters, can get together and sign a petition for the referendum, they can negate city council's authority to adopt a local law optioning to have fluoridation in the city water supply," Corning Mayor Frank Coccho said.That's the opinion of the city attorney, who studied the fluoridation debate in Ithaca seven years ago. Following a signature drive, residents there voted on whether Ithaca leaders could pass laws that would add fluoride to city water.
"I suspect if they can get the 600 signatures, approximately 600, it can be done here in Corning," said Mayor Coccho. Kirk Huttleston leads the opposition to fluoridation. He says there are at least that many people who would sign such a petition. "Granted I may be talking to people that are more of my same mind, but I have only talked to two out of ten who thought fluoride in the water was a good idea," said Huttleston. Whether for or against fluoride, Huttleston says it's important residents make a decision for themselves, something the mayor says he can understand. "By putting it in the water, you bypass informed consent. The referendum is a fantastic way to handle all this," Huttleston said.
"We do the research and we're expected and required to do so. And I hope we make good decisions on behalf of our community. If the citizens wish to negate that authority, that's certainly their right and I'll accept that," Mayor Coccho said.
...and the fate of fluoridated water in the city of Corning.

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