USA - Fluoride debate could go to voters
Fluoride debate could go to voters
Corning mayor says petition drive could put it on a future ballot.
July 26, 2007 CORNING -- Despite the Corning City Council's 7-1 vote in May to fluoridate the city's water supply, the issue could be back on the table -- and on the ballot -- soon.
Corning Mayor Frank Coccho said Wednesday the city's lawyer has determined that a petition signed by 10 percent of the city's voters could force a referendum to strip the council of its right to pass a local law on fluoridation.Coccho said such a petition would require about 600 signatures.The City Council endorsed fluoridation on May 7 after a private group of dentists and others raised $100,000 to pay about half the start-up costs of the project.Coccho said Pam Gee of the Elmira law firm of Davidson & O'Mara researched the subject and concluded that a referendum is permitted under state law."I have notified the council and will be announcing this Aug. 6 (at the next council meeting)," Coccho said. "If a private group wishes to engage in that process, it is certainly their right."Fluoride opponent Kirk Huttleston said he's excited by the avenue opened by the city attorney's ruling."This is what I've been waiting for," Huttleston said. "It is an opening. I'm trying to figure out what the next best step is. I think everybody's aggravated with the whole country, and this is something you can do locally."Fluoridation proponents said adding the chemical to water would reduce the incidence of tooth decay, especially among children. Opponents argued the chemical has serious side effects and should not be used in municipal water systems.Coccho said he does not know whether there's time to get the fluoride issue on the ballot this year. But he said he doesn't expect the council to begin implementation of fluoridation in 2008.Sharelene Thompson, Steuben County election commissioner, said she's unsure about the deadline for filing such petitions, but is seeking a determination from the county attorney.
Corning mayor says petition drive could put it on a future ballot.
July 26, 2007 CORNING -- Despite the Corning City Council's 7-1 vote in May to fluoridate the city's water supply, the issue could be back on the table -- and on the ballot -- soon.
Corning Mayor Frank Coccho said Wednesday the city's lawyer has determined that a petition signed by 10 percent of the city's voters could force a referendum to strip the council of its right to pass a local law on fluoridation.Coccho said such a petition would require about 600 signatures.The City Council endorsed fluoridation on May 7 after a private group of dentists and others raised $100,000 to pay about half the start-up costs of the project.Coccho said Pam Gee of the Elmira law firm of Davidson & O'Mara researched the subject and concluded that a referendum is permitted under state law."I have notified the council and will be announcing this Aug. 6 (at the next council meeting)," Coccho said. "If a private group wishes to engage in that process, it is certainly their right."Fluoride opponent Kirk Huttleston said he's excited by the avenue opened by the city attorney's ruling."This is what I've been waiting for," Huttleston said. "It is an opening. I'm trying to figure out what the next best step is. I think everybody's aggravated with the whole country, and this is something you can do locally."Fluoridation proponents said adding the chemical to water would reduce the incidence of tooth decay, especially among children. Opponents argued the chemical has serious side effects and should not be used in municipal water systems.Coccho said he does not know whether there's time to get the fluoride issue on the ballot this year. But he said he doesn't expect the council to begin implementation of fluoridation in 2008.Sharelene Thompson, Steuben County election commissioner, said she's unsure about the deadline for filing such petitions, but is seeking a determination from the county attorney.
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