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Monroe council moves to gather more public input after split public comments on water fluoridation
Summary
After lengthy public comment for and against fluoridation, Monroe Mayor Donna Douglas and council members agreed to seek more expert testimony and to consider a public hearing before any final action; several residents asked the council to table the Oct. 21 vote.
Mayor Donna Douglas presided over a City of Monroe Common Council meeting on Oct. 17 where residents urged the council to slow consideration of proposed changes to the city’s water fluoridation policy and asked for more community education.
Local business owner Scott Golakson told the council he has been denied permission to place signage on adjacent easement property and — turning to fluoridation — said he was worried voters were missing balanced information. "I would strongly urge you to table it for now until you get more information from the correct people," Golakson said, urging the council to postpone any vote planned for Oct. 21.
Laura Hibbard, a Monroe dentist, told council members she and other dentists in the community support fluoridation as a public-health measure. "Fluoridation in the community water is hailed as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century," Hibbard said, and she cited research and professional organizations that continue to recommend community fluoridation. She warned of a local example elsewhere — Calgary — where she said tooth decay rose after fluoridation ceased.
A resident opposing fluoridation, Deb Krediger, delivered a longer statement that labeled fluoridation "unnecessary and ineffective" and cited a recent federal-court action involving the Environmental Protection Agency. Krediger said she would forward supporting links and documents to the council.
Council members responded by stressing the need for more information and public engagement before taking final action. Mayor Donna Douglas told the council the issue "affects the whole community" and said she had received many calls and asked the administrator and city attorney to meet with her to determine the best avenue for public input. "This is not something that has to be taken care of on October 21," she said, signaling the council will consider alternatives such as a public hearing or other outreach.
Council members discussed options for formal hearings and public-comment rules, noting that the council can change speaker time limits and that a public hearing could open comment to nonresidents. Several alderpersons urged the city to publicize balanced information for and against fluoridation and to allow expert testimony to be heard before any final council action.
The council did not take a final vote on fluoridation at the meeting; members set a process to consult staff and the city attorney and to decide whether to hold a formal public hearing at or before the Oct. 21 meeting.
