Group begins circulating petition to overturn PA fluoride

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Peninsula News Network

Port Angeles, WA - Fluoride opponents are wasting no time using the city’s new referendum and initiative process in a bid to overturn the city’s controversial water treatment system.

Port Angeles began adding fluoride to the city’s water supply in May, ending a three-year battle over treating the water to prevent tooth decay.

When the city was petitioned to enact the referendum process earlier this year, it was expected it would open the door to a move to force a public vote on the fluoride question.

Now, an organized group has started circulating petitions seeking to overturn fluoridation, and has been collecting names for the past week. The Peninsula Daily News says the group is calling itself “Our Water-Our Choice” and will need to collect over 16-hundred names over the next 6-months. If the names are certified it would force the city council to act on the petition, or put the matter to a vote.

RELATED STORY:

Group files first anti-fluoridation initiative

2006-08-22

by BRIAN GAWLEY
Peninsula Daily News

PORT ANGELES, WA-- A group calling itself ``Our Water-Our Choice'' has begun collecting signatures on the first of two anti-fluoridation initiatives proposed since the City Council adopted powers of initiative and referendum in early July.

The ``Medical Independence Act'' would prohibit the addition of all substances intended to treat or medicate people through the public water supply.

It would not apply to substances intended to make water safe and drinkable, the proponents say.

The group has six months to collect signatures of at least 1,623 registered voters living within the city limit to either put the measure on the ballot or have it adopted by the City Council.

If the measure is approved by a simple majority voters, it would become effective 30 days after the election is certified by the county auditor.

According to County Auditor Cathleen McKeown, once the signed petitions are turned into the city clerk, they will be submitted to the county for verification of voter signatures.

``Our drinking water is a basic necessity, and we should not have to restrict its use to meet the dosage requirements of one medication or another. I want my water to be just water,'' said Our Water-Our Choice supporter Lou Sarna.