| City Formally Rejects Fluoride Grant Money |
| On November 1, 2002, the California Dental Foundation tried a last minute attempt to derail City of Redding Measure A - the Safe Water Initiative. They offered the City of Redding $1.6 million and removed the previous "strings" for repayment if the City stopped fluoridating within ten years. This offer was received by the City of Redding on Election Day, November 5th. On November 15, 2002, after presenting the letter to the Mayor and City Council Members, City Manager Mike Warren informed the California Dental Foundation that the City of Redding would not accept money for fluoridation since the citizens voted against having any chemical added to the drinking unless it is approved by the FDA for health claims made. The Citizens of Redding and members of Redding Citizens for Safe Drinking Water were very pleased that the City did the right thing and refused the grant. A copy of the refusal letter is found below. |
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| Comments by M. Czehatowski (11/18/02) Opponents of Measure A still want to believe that the State can force the City of Redding to fluoridate. This is unlikely for two reasons: 1). Measure A specified safety criteria. It was not a yes or no vote on fluoridation. 2). The State cannot force the City of Redding to take money with a contractual obligation. |