Whakatane
COUNCILLORS
| Councillor | Fluoridation | Position statement |
| Tony Bonne (Mayor) | ||
| Christine Chambers | Against | I do not, and never have, supported fluoridation of our water supplies. However, from memory Council has conducted two referenda on the issue in recent years and the results have not been in favour of removing fluoride from the Whakatane urban supply (the only supply in the Whakatane District that is fluoridated). However I will continue to try and persuade my fellow councillors, if I am re-elected that is, of the negative effects of fluoridation and have the issue signalled for review in the next Long Term Council Plan. |
| David Dowd | ||
| Andrew Iles | ||
| Scott Jarrett | Against | Council has called for a review of water fluoridation. I believe that 20% of people opposed adding fluoride in our last referendum taken quite some years ago. People wishing to take fluoride can easily obtain tablets. I don't believe we have a mandate to force feed a drug to our ratepayers. |
| George Johnston | ||
| Pouroto Ngaropo | ||
| Russell Orr | ||
| David Sheaff | Not sure | I'm not sure as I don't have all the facts about it. Generally I do not agree with any additives in my food or drink so you are on the right track, I would support more consultation on the subject. |
| Judy Turner | Supports referendum | I support this being decided by local referendum not by Council. |
| Gerard Van Beek | Against | This is a vexed question. As I understand it, there is evidence that fluoride has some beneficial effect on tooth health. There is evidence that at high levels of fluoridation has negative impacts on tooth health. On balance I believe that there is a positive benefit from the correct exposure to moderate amounts of fluoride. Because we are on a rural property we collect rain water and have no added fluoride in our water. We provided fluoridated tooth paste in our home. This was a personal choice. Your question relates to the involuntary exposure to fluoride in fluoridated public water schemes. I think that exposure to fluoride is a personal choice. On that basis it should be removed from public water schemes. However living in a democracy, majority public opinion may require water to be fluoridated. That forces the minority to exposure they don't want. Therefore having a referendum or consultation process will not satisfy any minority group, for or against fluoridation. You will probably recognise that I believe that exposure to fluoride is beneficial and I had the personal choice to expose my family to it. If fluoride is going to be included in water supplies, consumers have to be properly informed and not to use fluoridated toothpaste. If I were to promote non-fluoridation of public water supplies, I would need to know that the community has sufficient information to make their own informed choice on fluoride exposure. |
OTHER CANDIDATES 2010 ELECTION
| Candidate | Fluoridation | Position statement |
| Miria Black | Against | I read the information and must agree that evidence indicates that adding fluoride to our water is not in the best interest of our community. I was a school dental nurse in the 1960's when fluoride was advocated and we did topical applications for our patients. I took fluoride tablets when I was pregnant and my children have had good teeth. However I have looked at the views about the possible harm fluoride can do and am not at all happy that we should be ingesting a toxic substance and most importantly that we are not given a choice about this. I would therefore support a referendum. |
| Terry Bourk | Against | I personally have never agreed with bulk fluoridation of town supply. I have, over the years, seen and heard many public debates regarding the subject and unfortunately cannot recall hearing of a local council back pedalling on the issue and removing it. I do not claim to be well read on the subject and will follow the links you sent. Like any other public debate it will require the community to make their concerns known to the incoming council regarding this subject. I have no knowledge of how strong the approach has been to the Whakatane council in the past or what their reaction has been, perhaps you could further enlighten me. |
| Chris Dohrman | Neutral | Would support a referendum. |
| John Glasse | Against | I absolutely abhor the addition of any substance in pure drinking water. Who has given local authorities the mandate to put fluoride in our water? If people want to give their children fluoride, let them take a pill. To force our kids into such a fluoridation campaign is wrong, immoral and probably illegal and I am fearful of what mind altering or so called healthy substance may be added to our water in another ten years. |
| Ted Hipkiss | For | I support the fluoridation of water supplies. Since I have been in Whakatane (1971) there have been two referenda on fluoridation both surveys supported fluoridation. Council should not disregard the opinion of the community. People have the ability to submit to the Council’s Annual Plan on such issues. I am sure if there was a significant ground swell of opinion calling for a referendum on fluoridation the Council would have to respond. |
| Julie Jukes (mayoral candidate) | Against | I am not a supporter of fluoride in the water but I do admit that I need to do more research to be fully educated on both sides of the debate. My husband is very vocal against fluoridation and is already in my ear that something needs to be done. I would be supportive of a referendum on this issue and believe the public needs to be better informed of all the associated health risks. |
| Arleen Makuini | Against | I do not support fluoridation. I would seek public opinion and supply information outlining and emphasizing the pro's and con's. I would seek a referendum. |
| Steve Napier | For | At present I support fluoridation. I certainly would take into account MOH advice on this but not ignore public opinion. |
| Sabine Poppe | For | Even though I am aware of certain risks associated with water fluoridation, I do support the practice. In my opinion the general advantage of water fluoridation far outweighs the possible side-effects. |
| John Rabarts | Against | I do not support fluoridation of water supplies. |
| The Hon Ian Shearer | Against | Do you support fluoridation? No – for three reasons. Firstly, I do not agree with mass medication of the community. Secondly, I have read a considerable amount of research provided to me by someone opposed to the use of fluoride and I am not convinced that fluoride in the water supply is an effective way to ensure that healthy teeth will result. From what I have read, it would appear that the use of fluoride toothpaste (which is an individual’s choice and advocated by most dentists) would be a far more reliable means of improving dental health. Lastly, I have checked with Whakatane District Council Staff and am advised that the average fluoride level in Whakatane/Ohope is 0.4g/m3 , while the maximum permissible level is 1.5g/m3. This suggests that the current practice is probably having little or no effect whatsoever on dental health. If not, what definite steps would you take, if you are elected, to stop fluoridation in this area? I believe a referendum was carried out a few years ago and the result was very close. It is one of the many issues the new Council will need to discuss and if there is majority support for another referendum, closely linked with a public education and information exercise, then I would fully support such a referendum. |
| Arleen Tanirau | Against | I favour doing what's right for people and not being legislated by Councils. Our bodies and our decisions. |
