Thames District Council

COUNCILLLORS

Councillors	Fluoridation	Position statement
Jan Bartley
Tony Brljevich	Against	Fluoridation, in my view, is another example of corruption in the medical system. The American Dental Association is the culprit and is equally as bad as the FDA. In European countries where fluoridation is banned the cavity incidence is lower. I have read evidence that would suggest that it leaches calcium from the tooth enamel. It is already in most toothpastes so why would we want to drink this toxin? As far as I am aware Thames is the only water supply on the Coromandel that fluoridates its water. If elected I would try to include it as part of the LTCCP process as that is probably the most economical method for the consultation process. If I had the support of other councillors we could simply stop its use and see what support there was for its reintroduction. Do you have any suggestions? Given the contentious issue of fluoridation, it would probably require a public consultation process to stop the use of it on the Coromandel. I am not sure of the history behind its use in Thames but in my view it should be stopped. Mass dosing of the population is wrong. Period. If people want to use it they can add it to their own water.
Diane Connors
Tony Fox	For	I am satisfied that our water quality is of an Internationally recognised high standard. I personally support fluoridation of our water for a range of positive medical and dental outcomes but as always my mind is always open to new science etc.
Peter French
Wyn Hoadley	Supports consultation	I would support a referendum or some sort of consultative process.
Glenn Leach
Murray McLean
Jack Wells

OTHER CANDIDATES 2010 ELECTION

Candidates	Fluoridation	Position statement
Satyananda Cooney	Not sure	To be honest I wasn't aware previous to your email of the debate around the fluoridation of our water as an issue. I am aware of other issues re extras added to our water here in Thames however. I will be keen to have a look at the material you suggested around this issue. So at this point I am not sure but I am happy to support any consultative process deemed appropriate by those involved in the debate.
Chris Cooper (Tairua Pauanui Community Board)	Against	Two decades ago or more I opposed mass medication of our population, specifically with fluoride. Nothing I have heard since that time has altered my position. I am standing for re-election for the Tairua Pauanui Community Board, which has very little power, and the only way to advance community concerns or needs is to advocate, plead, cajole, beg etc the Councillors who represent us on Council to champion our cause.
Ron Julian	Against	Personally I do not support ‘blanket’ fluoridation of our water supply. Many of the water supply schemes on the Peninsula are community based privately managed schemes which are not fluoridated, as opposed to Council managed schemes in the larger centres. You ask what steps I would take to stop fluoridation if elected. I say in return, what steps do you, the community, prefer me to take? I believe the role of Local Government elected officials is governance - to accept, facilitate, implement, and manage the preferred direction of the community at large. Ministry of Health is one of the agency’s whose advice should be considered alongside the several other organizations, reports, and opinions available. All views should be considered in context and circumstance. Any referenda or consultative processes can be initiated at Community Board level. The primary focus of the Local Government Act 2002 is to recognise the diversity of New Zealand communities and to play a broad role in promoting the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of their communities, taking a sustainable development approach. I do not consider fluoridation of water to fit this objective.
Peter Kerr	For	I support fluoridation
Helen McCabe	Against	If the community of Thames said yes to fluoride in their public water supply then I guess they could have it however we must consider the unspoken rights of children under the voting age so a percentage of much more than 50% must be set. Personally I feel that “ health treatment” measures should be the decision of an individual if over 18 or the care giver of any children not a service provider such as a council or government agency.
Dal Minogue (mayoral candidate)	Against, for referendum	I am not a supporter of fluoridating water. However, any move to stop the practice would require a clear majority of community support, achieved through a referendum. As Mayor I would be prepared to do that if it was proved to me that there was both broad community support for such a referendum and a preparedness to fund it.
Mark Skelding	Supports consultation	The level of chemicals in all aspects of our community lives is of great concern. In Thames we are particularly exercised by heavy metals under houses affected by our mining past. On the Thames Coast, issues of possum control using 1080 are of great concern. All of us should be concerned about the use of plastics - and, of course, we are all concerned about the possible impacts of water privatisation, by stealth or design, since water is such an innocent vehicle for all manner of chemicals, benign, neutral and less so. I absolutely support your idea of creating a consultative process. I don't believe that there is only one way to achieve anything, and in my experience consultation - particularly led by the community, and especially when led by diverse points of view agreeing to frame up the consultative process - eventually brings people to a place of sitting with a range of objectives and finding a way to bring them together. Having been involved in creating a couple of high level, somewhat under the radar dialogues [GE; and, Climate Change] bringing activists and scientists and "ordinary people" together for 5 days to address topics and find common humanity, I can only applaud the notion.
Chris Stark	Not sure	Fluoridation is not an issue that has ever risen in my ward therefore I have never done any research on it. I have no opinion either way at this stage.