Invercargill City Council
COUNCILLORS| Councillor |
Fluoridation |
Position statement |
| Allan Arnold |
Not sure |
I don’t know enough about it and would be happy to support discussion then a possible referendum. |
| Dean Chandler-Mills |
For |
Do you support fluoridation? Having grown up in an era where there was no availability of either good dental health treatment or fluoridation treatment of our water supply and then witnessed the suffering of my siblings and relatives as a consequence of the absence of both of these items, I can say that my subsequent family and their children have not been adversely effected by fluoridation applied to our water system If not, what definite steps would you take, if you are elected, to stop fluoridation in this area? As I have witnessed good dental health improvement over my life span (to date), I would need and require convincing, scientific, factual evidence, to advocate any change to the current fluoridation of our water supply. If you are not sure, would you support a referendum or some sort of consultative process? I have enclosed one of my election flyers. You will see that I am concerned about the prospect of legislative changes which could lead to the privatisation of our water supply... and worst still, the prospect of minimal consultation with ratepayers! I am and always have been a strong advocate for both the referendum and consultation process. |
| Lindsay Dow | For |
Do you support fluoridation? Yes If you do support fluoridation, do you believe that it is acceptable for councillors to rely on the advice by the Ministry of Health and disregard the opinion of the people who pay for and drink the water? Yes If you are not sure, would you support a referendum or some sort of consultative process? If a referendum was organised and the overwhelming result was in favour of a consultative process, then yes. |
| Norman Elder |
For |
I support fluoridation but am willing to consider any reputable advice. It may transpire that if our dental health is improving through other measures like better dental care etc. then it could be stopped. |
| Jo Hamilton |
Against |
From the reading I have done since receiving this email, I have decided the I would like to see the fluoride out of our water supply. If anybody feels that they need fluoride they can buy the tablets. If nothing else it would save the city council a lot of money. We moved to town supply water 4 years ago and within the year we got a water purifier that took out almost everything including fluoride. This is because in comparison to tank water town water tasted terrible. I would bring it up at a council meeting and give all the information I could collect from what I have seen there is more against than for. I would also bring up the estimated savings to be made from not putting it in the water. I also realise that nothing happens overnight, so you need to give the information and give people time to process. As part of a more open council, it should be put into something like the southland express so the information could get out to as many people as possible and give time to respond. If the people want a referendum then that is the way it needs to go but I would hope with the information given the people would go with it. |
| Jackie Kruger |
Against |
No, I do not personally support fluoridation of community drinking water. I think medicating populations and removing the choice of the individual is ethically wrong. I am also led to understand that there is evidence of brittle bones, cancers and other ills being more prolific in communities where fluoride is put into public water supplies. Step 1 is to raise awareness about the apparent negative effects of fluoridation on human health. I would be happy to facilitate sessions (and fair debate) on the subject to become more informed myself. |
| Graham Lewis |
Supports consultation | Over the years I have considered that the addition of Sodium Fluoride to the diet in some way probably was beneficial particularly for the teeth of younger children. This opinion was influenced by the literature that was available to me in the earlier days and also by conversations I had with dental nurses who had worked in both areas that had no fluoride in the water supply and those that did. They had noticed a marked difference in the tooth decay. Their opinion was that non-fluoridated areas showed worse results in the decay. However I have read reports that if decay occurred behind the protective, hardened dentine the decay was substantial and probably was not noticed, resulting in major problems. As with any issue that will arise should I be elected, I will endeavour to have an open mind and consider as many of the relative details as possible. Certainly the information that your association can offer will have careful consideration. I have not recently accessed any information from medical sources on the subject but am happy to do so. I do agree that consultation is important. |
| Saskia Nieuwlands | Against |
Do you support fluoridation? No! If not, what definite steps would you take, if you are elected, to stop fluoridation in this area? Look at getting public feedback, look hard into the facts and ensure that the decision made is informed. I would also encourage researches to look into the side effects of Fluoridation and its impact on the Southland community e.g. Tooth discoloration. |
OTHER CANDIDATES 2010 ELECTIONS
| Candidate |
Fluoridation |
Position statement |
| Allan Arnold |
Not sure |
I don’t know enough about it and would be happy to support discussion then a possible referendum. |
| Dean Chandler-Mills |
For |
Do you support fluoridation? Having grown up in an era where there was no availability of either good dental health treatment
or fluoridation treatment of our water supply and then witnessed the
suffering of my siblings and relatives as a consequence of the absence
of both of these items, I can say that my subsequent family and their
children have not been adversely effected by fluoridation applied to our
water system If not, what definite steps would you take, if you are elected, to stop fluoridation in this area? As I have witnessed good dental health improvement over my life span (to date), I would need and require convincing, scientific, factual evidence, to advocate any change to the current fluoridation of our water supply. If you are not sure, would you support a referendum or some sort of consultative process? I have enclosed one of my election flyers. You will see that I am concerned about the prospect of legislative changes which could lead to the privatisation of our water supply... and worst still, the prospect of minimal consultation with ratepayers! I am and always have been a strong advocate for both the referendum and consultation process. |
| Lindsay Dow | For |
Do you support fluoridation? Yes If you do support fluoridation, do you believe that it is acceptable for councillors to rely on the advice by the Ministry of Health and disregard the opinion of the people who pay for and drink the water? Yes If you are not sure, would you support a referendum or some sort of consultative process? If a referendum was organised and the overwhelming result was in favour of a consultative process, then yes. |
| Norman Elder |
For |
I
support fluoridation but am willing to consider any reputable advice.
It may transpire that if our dental health is improving through other
measures like better dental care etc. then it could be stopped. |
| Jo Hamilton |
Against |
From
the reading I have done since receiving this email, I have decided the I
would like to see the fluoride out of our water supply. If anybody
feels that they need fluoride they can buy the tablets. If nothing else
it would save the city council a lot of money. We moved to town supply
water 4 years ago and within the year we got a water purifier that took
out almost everything including fluoride. This is because in comparison
to tank water town water tasted terrible. I would bring it up at a council meeting and give all the information I could collect from what I have seen there is more against than for. I would also bring up the estimated savings to be made from not putting it in the water. I also realise that nothing happens overnight, so you need to give the information and give people time to process. As part of a more open council, it should be put into something like the southland express so the information could get out to as many people as possible and give time to respond. If the people want a referendum then that is the way it needs to go but I would hope with the information given the people would go with it. |
| Jackie Kruger |
Against |
No,
I do not personally support fluoridation of community drinking water. I
think medicating populations and removing the choice of the individual
is ethically wrong. I am also led to understand that there is evidence
of brittle bones, cancers and other ills being more prolific in
communities where fluoride is put into public water supplies. Step 1 is to raise awareness about the apparent negative effects of fluoridation on human health. I would be happy to facilitate sessions (and fair debate) on the subject to become more informed myself. |
| Graham Lewis |
Supports consultation | Over the years I have considered that the addition of Sodium Fluoride to the diet in some way probably was beneficial particularly for the teeth of younger children. This opinion was influenced by the literature that was available to me in the earlier days and also by conversations I had with dental nurses who had worked in both areas that had no fluoride in the water supply and those that did. They had noticed a marked difference in the tooth decay. Their opinion was that non-fluoridated areas showed worse results in the decay. However I have read reports that if decay occurred behind the protective, hardened dentine the decay was substantial and probably was not noticed, resulting in major problems. As with any issue that will arise should I be elected, I will endeavour to have an open mind and consider as many of the relative details as possible. Certainly the information that your association can offer will have careful consideration. I have not recently accessed any information from medical sources on the subject but am happy to do so. I do agree that consultation is important. |
| Saskia Nieuwlands | Against |
Do you support fluoridation? No! If not, what definite steps would you take, if you are elected, to stop fluoridation in this area? Look at getting public feedback, look hard into the facts and ensure that the decision made is informed. I would also encourage researches to look into the side effects of Fluoridation and its impact on the Southland community e.g. Tooth discoloration. |
