City of Healdsburg Fluoridation Ordinance, Measure P (November 2014)

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A City of Healdsburg Fluoridation Ordinance, Measure P ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California. It was approved.

Upon its approval, Measure P was designed to authorize the continued use of fluoride in the city's water supply - a continuation of the status quo. Had voters rejected Measure P, the city would have been forced to rescind its current fluoride policies and would have been prohibited from continuing the process of water fluoridation going forward.

Voters approved fluoridation in 1952.

Supporters argued that fluoridation does not have harmful side effects at the levels used in drinking water and approved by the state Department of Public Health and that fluoridation has shown significant benefits to dental health and, in turn, quality of life.

Opponents argued that fluoride is toxic and that studies had not shown conclusively that ingesting small amounts of fluoride is harmless. Some opponents argued that harmful effects such as lower intelligence, damaged kidneys, slowed thyroid function, increased likelihood of arthritis, brittle bones and asthma have been documented by people in the medical field.

A "yes" vote continued the process of water fluoridation in the city.

A "no" vote would have put an end to the city's current fluoridation policy and prohibited the process going forward.

Those responsible for putting the initiative on the ballot were urging voters to reject Measure P.

Election results

Measure P
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		2,650	64.4%
No		1,467	35.6%

Election results from Sonoma County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Shall the City of Healdsburg continue to fluoridate its water?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure P:

“	This initiative was placed on the ballot as a result of a petition signed by the requisite number of voters. The stated purpose of the initiative is to prohibit the continuation of fluoridation of Healdsburg municipal water. The initiative would repeal all City of Healdsburg ordinances authorizing, supporting or implementing the fluoridation of Healdsburg municipal water. It provides that the induction of fluoridation chemicals into Healdsburg municipal water shall cease permanently. The addition of fluoride to the City’s municipal water was approved by the voters in 1952. Healdsburg Municipal Code Sections 13.12.150 and 13.12.160 provide for the appropriation of funds for maintaining a fluoridation process and purchases necessary for the maintenance of fluoride in the City’s water supply. Measure P would repeal these provisions of current Ordinance 1134. To comply with Measure P, the City would have to terminate existing purchase contracts for fluoridation ingredients or compounds. The City’s current annual cost of fluoridating municipal water, excluding periodic capital replacement costs, is estimated at approximately $30,000, or less than 1% of the annual operating budget for the City’s water department. California Health and Safety Code Section 116410 requires public water systems with at least 10,000 service connections to fluoridate water under certain circumstances. Because the City of Healdsburg presently has fewer than 5,000 service connections, this State law does not conflict with Measure P. However, the City operates under a Domestic Water Supply Permit issued by the State. The permit describes the approved treatment processes, including fluoridation, of municipal water and requires the State’s approval of any changes to water treatment. At present it is unclear whether the State would issue an amended permit authorizing discontinuance of fluoridation. Measure P states that it prohibits the City Council from submitting to the voters a subsequent measure to reauthorize the addition of fluoride to municipal water. It is unclear whether such a prohibition is lawful, and litigation might be necessary to resolve the issue. Measure P would not prohibit the voters from reauthorizing the addition of fluoride to municipal water through the initiative petition process. A “no” vote is a vote to repeal portions of Ordinance 1134 and terminate fluoridation of the municipal water supply. A “yes” vote is a vote to continue fluoridation. Measure P would be approved if it received a simple majority (50% + 1) of “no” votes.	”
—Robin Donoghue, Healdsburg City Attorney

Support

Yes on P Healdsburg campaign logo

Supporters

Supporters pointed voters towards a website for a group called I Like My Teeth for arguments in favor of and endorsements for water fluoridation.

An official Yes on P Healdsburg campaign was formed to urge electors to vote "yes" on the measure and retain the practice of fluoridation. The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure P:

• Michael Neal, DDS, Healdsburg dentist
• Damian Marsden M.D., Healdsburg pediatrician
• Jerry Eddinger, Healdsburg businessperson
• Shawn Widick, Healdsburg dentist/resident
• Maya Missakian, RN., Healdsburg resident

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure P:

“	Fluoride protects every tooth, every day, for every body. Water fluoridation is safe. Our residents have benefitted from community water fluoridation for many years and scientific research repeatedly confirms its value. Oral Health in America, A report of the US Surgeon General states, “Community water fluoridation continues to be the most cost-effective, equitable and safe means to provide protection from tooth decay in a community.” Water fluoridation works. It prevents cavities and tooth loss. It is so safe and so effective that the Centers for Disease Control hailed fluoridation as one of the “top 10 Public Health Measures of the 20th Century.” Water fluoridation is fair. It protects the dental health of the young and the old alike, regardless of income level. It is the safest and most economical way to provide cavity-fighting benefits for all people. Fluoride occurs naturally in almost all water sources. Scientists found long ago that proper water fluoridation protects teeth from decay. For decades, many cities, such as Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Healdsburg have supplemented their water with fluoride to achieve those benefits. Our community deserves the best; let’s make sure we continue to provide it. Ask your physician, your dentist, your nurse practitioner and check the facts. Vote Yes to keep the benefits of community water fluoridation. For accurate information about fluoride visit www.ilikemyteeth.org P is for Prevention. Vote Yes on Measure P. Save Our Smiles (S.O.S.)	”
—Michael Neal, DDS, Damian Marsden M.D., Jerry Eddinger, Shawn Widick and Maya Missakian, RN.

Opposition

Fluoride-free Healdsburg campaign image

Opponents

A group called Fluoride-free Healdsburg opposed Measure P.

Fluoride-free Healdsburg was being supported in its opposition of fluoridation by a group called Clean Water Sonoma-Marin.

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure P:

• Barbara Wentzel, a founder of Fluoride-free Healdsburg
• Andrew C. Karozos, M.D., medical doctor
• Dr. Michael Lipelt, D.D.S, N.D, L.AC.
• Dawna E.Gallagher-Stroeh, director of Clean Water Sonoma-Marin
• Brian Pardini, a founder of Fluoride-free Healdsburg

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure P:

“	A No Vote is a Vote for Clean Water. 62 years ago, Healdsburg residents voted to add fluoride to our water supply. Since then, much has been learned about toxic substances once touted as safe. Now it’s known that smoking causes cancer, lead in paint and gasoline reduces IQ in children, and asbestos causes lung disease. As the science became clear, the use of those poisons was discouraged or discontinued. With fluoride, many infants and children are already getting too much from multiple sources. The risks of water fluoridation outweigh theoretical benefits. There is not one randomized controlled trial showing that ingesting fluoride is safe. If topical application to the tooth’s surface is effective, then dosing the whole body with fluoride is pointless. Scientific studies have shown that even tiny amounts of fluoride can be toxic, discolor teeth, reduce IQ in children, damage kidneys, slow thyroid function, and contribute to arthritis, brittle bones, and asthma. Fluoride’s impact is most severe on the young, the sick, the elderly, our pets, and environment. Naturally occurring calcium fluoride is not the same as the artificial fluoride currently added to Healdsburg’s water. Sodium fluoride is a waste product of the synthetic fertilizer industry. Aware of the dangers and ineffectiveness of fluoridation, 97% of Europe has either stopped or never started the practice. The savings gained from ending water fluoridation could be redirected to Healdsburg’s Pediatric Dental Initiative, whose mission is to promote oral health and prevention education. In the interest of public health, we must stop adding toxic industrial waste to our water. Since fluoride is readily available in toothpaste and mouthwash, it’s time for Healdsburg to join the rest of Sonoma County and go fluoride free. Vote No to stop water fluoridation and give everyone the freedom to choose. References: www.FluorideFreeHBG.org/docs	”
—Barbara Wentzel, Andrew C. Karozos, M.D., Dr. Michael Lipelt, Dawna E.Gallagher-Stroeh and Brian Pardini

Background

At the time of Measure P's approval, California state health codes required any public water system with more than 10,000 service connections to fluoridate the water supply. The Healdsburg City water system, at the time, had fewer than 5,000 service connections, giving the city an option when it came to fluoridation. City voters approved fluoridation in 1952. At the time of this Measure P election, the city was spending about $30,000 per year on water fluoridation, which amounted to less than 1 percent of the city's operating budget.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

Opponents of fluoridation in Healdsburg formed the group Fluoride-free Healdsburg and launched an initiative petition effort to put the issue on the ballot. After successfully collecting the more than 1,000 valid signatures necessary, the initiative was certified. This gave city officials the option of enacting the initiative directly, repealing previous city ordinances demanding fluoridation and prohibiting the practice going forward, or putting the decision in front of voters. The council unanimously voted not to enact the anti-fluoridation initiative, putting it before voters instead.

See also

• Local fluoridation on the ballot
• Sonoma County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office website

Support

• I Like My Teeth website, accessed October 6, 2014
• Yes on P Healdsburg website, accessed October 6, 2014

Opposition

• Fluoride-free HBG website, accessed October 6, 2104
• Clean Water Sonoma Marin website, accessed October 6, 2014