| Challenges to Measure A to be Defended by the City of Redding |
| by Michel Czehatowski |
| Tuesday, November 11, 2002, the Record Searchlight printed an article entitled "Ballot Defeat Won't End Fluoride Debate". This article makes me question the integrity and motivation of our local and out-of-town fluoride pushers. Apparently, Ms. Marta McKenzie, Director of our local health department, cannot accept the fact that Redding voters overwhelmingly* approved Measure A -the Safe Water Initiative - 56.3% to 43.7%. It is now a law in Redding that no substance can be added to the drinking water for the purpose of treating people unless it is approved by the FDA for the health claims made and is safe at all levels of consumption. Furthermore, the substance must not contain contaminants that exceed US Maximum Contaminant Level Goals or California Public Health Goals, whichever is more protective. It was noted in that article, that John Roth, the out-of-towner, who directs the California Dental Foundation, states that he will offer Mayor Pat Kight $1.6 million to fluoridate "regardless of the election." Mr. Roth has quite the nerve to make this statement for when you offer public officials money to circumvent a law, and Measure A is now a law in Redding, you are essentially offering a bribe. Think about it. Mr. Roth is going to offer an extremely large sum of money to Mayor Pat Kight with the idea that Mayor Kight will disregard the will of the voters. I truly hope that Mayor Kight and the other City Council Members will think this out carefully because someone might end up in jail! By the way, since Measure A is now a law in Redding, our City Attorney, is obligated to defend it against any challenges, whether by local citizens, or state officials. I hope that the fluoride pushers step back, take a breath, and rethink what they are doing before they get themselves in trouble. Instead they should start working on alternatives to forced fluoridation and focus on children's health and not their own personal agenda. _____________________________________________ *Reporter Scott Mobley's statement that voter turnout was low was contradicted in Section B, page one, where the headline states "Region's turnout tops average" and Shasta County Clerk, Ann Reed, is quoted as saying "I'm always thrilled when the turnout is higher than I predict...I think the local city issue (Measure A) was the reason ours was higher." In Shasta county, 55% of the registered voters participated, topping County Clerk Ann Reed's prediction of a 52% turnout. |