USA - Panelists present opposing fluoride views in Port Angeles forum ahead of advisory survey
Fluoridation proponents Drs. Bri Butler, left, and Todd Irwin, right, chat with fluoridation opponent Dr. Bill Osmunson on Thursday after a two-hour forum at Port Angeles City Hall. — Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily New.
PORT ANGELES — It was study vs. study last week at a forum where opposing panelists presented familiar arguments and copious information in preparation for a Nov. 6 advisory survey on city water fluoridation.
More than 100 onlookers overflowed City Council chambers Thursday to hear panelists alternately express confidence and criticism of fluoridating water that's used for drinking and bathing by 10,000 city customers, including 1,500 east of Port Angeles in the Clallam County Public Utility District.
Mayor Dan Di Guilio joined his council colleagues to watch the proceedings in seats normally designated for city staff.
Council members are preparing to decide whether fluoridation should continue beyond May 18, when the city's 10-year obligation to fluoridate water expires. “A lot of that information has been provided to us over the last several months,” Di Guilio said Friday, recalling that pro- and anti-fluoridation speakers make regular appearances for City Council public comment sessions. “I thought both sides provided a lot of information that I thought was very interesting.”
Public comment
Di Guilio said the forum, which will be followed by a public comment session at 6 p.m. this Thursday at the same location, “will weigh heavily in my decision, that's for sure.”
The following week, on Nov. 6, surveys with postage-paid return envelopes will be mailed to city water users.
Completed surveys must be delivered to City Hall at 321 E. Fifth St. or postmarked by Nov. 27.
The public-comment meeting Thursday will be preceded by an anti-fluoridation rally at 1 p.m. at The Gateway transit center at Front and Lincoln streets.
While Di Guilio said much of the information he heard Thursday was familiar, he added that the assertion that fluoridation could cause brain damage was new.
“The pro-fluoride folks countered very well,” Di Guilio added.“If I had to grade [the forum], I'd call it a draw.”........
PORT ANGELES — It was study vs. study last week at a forum where opposing panelists presented familiar arguments and copious information in preparation for a Nov. 6 advisory survey on city water fluoridation.
More than 100 onlookers overflowed City Council chambers Thursday to hear panelists alternately express confidence and criticism of fluoridating water that's used for drinking and bathing by 10,000 city customers, including 1,500 east of Port Angeles in the Clallam County Public Utility District.
Mayor Dan Di Guilio joined his council colleagues to watch the proceedings in seats normally designated for city staff.
Council members are preparing to decide whether fluoridation should continue beyond May 18, when the city's 10-year obligation to fluoridate water expires. “A lot of that information has been provided to us over the last several months,” Di Guilio said Friday, recalling that pro- and anti-fluoridation speakers make regular appearances for City Council public comment sessions. “I thought both sides provided a lot of information that I thought was very interesting.”
Public comment
Di Guilio said the forum, which will be followed by a public comment session at 6 p.m. this Thursday at the same location, “will weigh heavily in my decision, that's for sure.”
The following week, on Nov. 6, surveys with postage-paid return envelopes will be mailed to city water users.
Completed surveys must be delivered to City Hall at 321 E. Fifth St. or postmarked by Nov. 27.
The public-comment meeting Thursday will be preceded by an anti-fluoridation rally at 1 p.m. at The Gateway transit center at Front and Lincoln streets.
While Di Guilio said much of the information he heard Thursday was familiar, he added that the assertion that fluoridation could cause brain damage was new.
“The pro-fluoride folks countered very well,” Di Guilio added.“If I had to grade [the forum], I'd call it a draw.”........
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