02/23/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- shown that lTDngoloid birth defects in fluoridated areas are more than twice that of non-fluoridated areas. Also discovered through research was that, in ten of the largest cities that have fluoride, the increase in cancer has been 27-34%; increase in other diseases has been reported as well. She added that health officers should educate the people on the greatest cause of tooth decay _ white sugar products. She believes teeth become so hard after extensive fluoride treatments that they crumble when drilled. Mrs. Hickey concluded that no one has a right to impose fluoridation on those not wanting it. Another unidentified lady called fluoridation the strongest systenUc poison known. She noted the issue was defeated by the voters before and wondered how many times the voters have to say no. She also referred to graphs showing higher incidences of cancer in some large cities having fluoridated water. Dr. David White, Lane County Health Officer, member of the dental COmmittee, said it is not the committee's intention to present facts in regard to fluoridation. The intent is to ask Council to let the people decide - the issue has not been considered in the last five years or so. The last two legislatures have considered bills on this matter, and the key portion was to allow local referendums. Dr. Laing, dentist, said much effort is underway to educate the people but the ones suffering are the kids not going to the dentist until a serious problem arises. The education process is being handled in the schools - and he concluded that fluoride is of greatest benefit in building up resistance to decay. Mr. Murray commented that "this meeting" is not the appropriate setting for a public hearing, that perhaps a hearing should be scheduled restricting testimony to only the question of whether there should be a ballot measure. - Mayor Anderson concurred, adding it was opened up at "this meeting" because mention had been made of discussion to be held~ HeonotedCouncil' has received a memo from EWEB detailing past efforts regarding fluoridation _ so the m:ltter is not new by any means. Mr. Williams. concurred that the question is whether to have a ballot measure _ how citizens vote is a separate subject. Mr. Bradley asked staff to respond on whether the city would have legal authority to require EWEB to fluoridate without voter approval. Mr. Keller moved seconded by Mr. Haws to call a public hearing for March 8 for consideration of whether to put the fluoridation matter on the November ballot,limdting testimony accordingly. MOtion carried unanimously. Comm 2/18/76 Approve Councilman Bradley raised the question of whether the City Council has legal authority to order fluoridation by ordinance. However, it was decided the question would better be discussed at the public hearing on March 8. L. Appointments of Planning COmnUssion Members on Geographic Basis Memo has been :distributed to Council, outlining a proposal by Mr. Murray and Mr. Hamel for geographic distribution of Planning Commission members. Mr. Murray explained it stel1l5 from a concern they have relating to the historic geographic distribution. e Historically, he said, the Planning Commission has tended to be dominated by persons from a relatively few sections of the city. There are major areas which have never been represented. He feels, as he said Mr. Hamel does, that that pattern is problematic, allowing decisions to be made without taking advantage of direct experience of someone who has lived in an area under consideration. 101 2/23/76 - IS