Porirua City Council
COUNCILLORS| Councillor |
Fluoridation |
Position statement |
| Litea Ah Hoi |
For |
We will always have differing opinions from either experts in that field or if it becomes a personal belief. I think it’s unfair to assume that councillors will only listen to the views of MOH. This body is the only body councillors have access to and with their expert opinion re:fluoride. I support referendums on wide issues impacting on our communities. |
| Liz Kelly |
For/Supports consultation |
Thanks for the questions and the opportunity to answer them and thanks for the information supplied, it is helpful to be exposed to the range of research/opinions. This is obviously an area of developing information with councils around NZ making decisions based on information available and increased public awareness. In this area it would need to be an issue for the wider councils - GW and four local councils that take their water from the same source and use the same water treatment facility.
Currently my personal position is to support fluoridation based primarily on my experience of having lived in a country for 7 years where the water was not fluoridated and the resulting effect on my children’s teeth.
However, having said that I will continue to take an interest in this area and would support some form of consultation process to establish wider community opinions. |
| Tim Sheppard |
For |
Russell Marshall puts the situation perfectly for me - and for almost all other candidates too, I'd wager. |
| Peter Windsor |
For | I am sure and well research. I think all opinions should be heard and taken into account. Of course a push pull action occurs. That's democracy. |
OTHER CANDIDATES 2010 ELECTION
| Candidate |
Fluoridation |
Position statement |
| John Burke |
Supports consultation |
Thank you for your email. While I can't promise I will stop
fluoridation of our water I would support a referendum on the subject
which would I would hope, be preceded by the people such as you and
fluoridation proponents being given an opportunity to advance their
cases. I have no strong opinion on the matter but my wife who many years ago worked for a dentist favours fluoridation. |
| Dave Cochran |
Supports consultation |
I
am openminded re fluoridation of town water supplies. I would rather
seek informed opinion before taking such steps. I believe in hearing
and considering both sides of the debate on fluoridation. I support a
cosultative approach. |
| Brian Collins |
Not sure |
Fouridation is not an issue I have given any thought to beyond
awareness that there are those for and those against. It is not a
platform of my candidacy as I consider Porirua has far more pressing
issues ahead of it. That said, I am on record as favouring
the development of an electronic means for residents to have input to
issues of concern to them. |
| Mike Duncan |
Against |
I'm amazed. I have never thought much about fluoride in the water
other than it's great for kids' teeth. Your email prompted me to do a
bit of research on it on the web. I'm amazed at the data that springs
up. My wife suffers from very bad eczema and has had all kinds of
treatments for it ... all unsuccessful. She is also a fitness freak
and drinks copious amounts of water while exercising ... I think you
might have just sparked an idea for the root cause of the eczema for
me. We're going to do an experiment with trying out the Petone water
and see what it does. Can't say yet ... but I think you may have just won a convert to the cause. ... There's nothing to stop council from issuing fluoride to all the families who would still want to put it in their own water should it be removed from the town supply is there? |
| Grameme Ebbett | Supports consultation | I am offering to represent the views of my electors and at this stage
do not know what they over the issue.
I have gone through the whole village plan process for T/Bay over a
period of 2 years and 7 public meetings and the subject has not been
raised. This is all news to me and I am concerned to hear community views. |
| Victoria Jakobs |
Not sure | I certainly believe in not just accepting
the status quo ‘because it is’. I know very little about the issue of water fluoridation, though it is my understanding that it was instituted to reduce tooth decay – and that it has had a significant, positive impact in this area. My son has hypoplaxia (not enough enamel on his teeth) – and a frequent question is whether we drink fluoridated water (we do), and we are encouraged to use fluoride toothpaste, and leave fluoride deposits on his teeth. So my opinion of flouridation is generally favourable. As city councillors, (I am only a candidate at this stage), we would constantly be relying on information from others to make decisions, and therefore on the veracity and quality of that information. As a rule I do think it is acceptable to rely on Ministry of Health guidelines, because they are the experts. However, in saying that my background is campaigning against cellphone towers (and therefore not accepting the status quo ‘just because’) with the goal of ensuring that the public had a say on site placement, and had adequate information on the health risks of towers. Is it time for a review of fluoridation in water? I’m not sure. However if there was a groundswell – and/or compelling medical data about harmful effects of flouridation, I would be open to reviewing the current situation. |
| Tim Manu |
Against |
I suppose the main concern around the issue of Fluoridation for me is the
conflicting evidence that it is good and bad. My stand would be that until
solid evidence is proven one way or the other then I would oppose
flouridation. Prevention is better than the cure. |
| Russell Marshall |
For | I support fluoridation. I do not agree with your contention that councillors disregard the opinion of the people who pay for and drink the water, as it clearly implies that all of the ratepayers share your view, which by no means the case. They disregard the opinion of some of those people, yourself presumably incliuded. For councillors to change their view/s would mean disregarding the views of many others. This is how democracy works. |
| Pauline Morse |
For | I do support fluoridation. I agree with Russell Marshall on this. I feel that the opinions of all the people count. The facts are clear: dental health has improved markedly from the 'old days' when many people had heads full of fillings and lost their teeth at an early age. Poor dental health is an indicator of heart disease later in life. New Zealand has a very low level of natural fluoride in its water. Places like Europe have a much higher natural level, therefore they do not need to add fluoride to their water. There are many other substances we consume that are also poisons: common salt (sodium chloride), vitamin A etc. many of the so called 'heavy metals mentioned in the U tube clip are also necessary for our health eg copper, selenium. It depends on the amount you consume. You should probably question the credentials of some of the 'experts' quoted in the news clip those who commented on the clip. Their PhD could be in Latin! The Indian expert woman was not specific about any ill effects she attributed to fluoride. If she was such an expert I would have expected her to be a tad more scientific in her approach. |
