Canada - Delhi

Ward 3 candidate presses anti-fluoridation platform

All-candidates meeting in Delhi draws 300 people

DELHI – A local teacher who was disciplined last year for his anti-vaccination views is campaigning for a seat on Norfolk council on an anti-fluoridation platform.

Tim Sullivan of Simcoe, a science and special needs teacher with the Grand Erie District School Board, is seeking to replace incumbent councillor Mike Columbus in Delhi-area Ward 3.
Sullivan introduced himself to Ward 3 voters Wednesday at an all-candidates event at the Delhi German Home.
In his opening remarks, Sullivan spoke about his opposition to fluoridated water and his belief that the chemical added to municipal water to prevent cavities – fluorosilicic acid – is toxic and bad for human health
If elected, Sullivan said he will work to eliminate fluoridated water in Simcoe and Delhi.

Thirteen candidates for Norfolk council attended Wednesday’s meeting, which was organized by the Delhi and District Chamber of Commerce.

The three mayoral candidates in Norfolk – Kristal Chopp of Port Dover, Russell Colebrook of Simcoe, and incumbent Charlie Luke of Simcoe – shared their vision for the future and fielded questions from the floor. Also sharing their platforms were council candidates in Langton-area Ward 2, Delhi-area Ward 3 and Windham-area Ward 4.
After a time, laughter greeted Sullivan’s approach to the microphone because – no matter the issue — he found a way to steer the discussion toward his anti-fluoridation views.
In response to a question about a water line at the Delhi baseball park that has been broken for a considerable time, Sullivan said he would take savings from the elimination of fluoridated water and devote them to an immediate repair.

In response to a question about the pending legalization of marijuana, Sullivan said he was glad that cannabis is not toxic.
“Otherwise, the county might try to slip it into our water,” he said.
And – in response to a question about what Norfolk can do to retain its young people – Sullivan said, “I’d ply them with fresh, fluoride-free water.”
Sullivan made headlines last year when the Ontario College of Teachers found him guilty of professional misconduct for aggressively promoting anti-vaccination viewpoints in the workplace.
Sullivan’s actions included an angry exchange with a public health nurse at a school in 2015 while medical staff were conducting a vaccination clinic.
All five councillor candidates in Delhi – Leslie Berta, Columbus, Albert Guiler, Darryl Smart and Sullivan – attended the chamber event.