BOYNE CITY — A group in Boyne City that wants fluoride back in the city’s water supply has started to gather signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.

Members of the Citizens United for Dental Health gathered signatures at their open house in the Boyne City District Library Community Room.

In May, Boyne City Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of removing fluoride from the municipal water system.

Commissioners Laura Sansom, Derek Gaylord and Gene Towne voted against keeping fluoride in their water, while Mayor Ron Grunch and Commissioner Tom Neidhamer voted in favor of keeping fluoride in Boyne City’s water supply.

Last month, the same Boyne City Commissioners who voted to stop adding fluoride to their city’s water supply, also voted against adding the issue to the November Ballot.

Tom Veryser, the President of Michigan Community Dental Clinics, said dentists have a hard time understanding why anyone doesn’t want fluoride in their water.

“Every 10 years or so these anti-fluoridationists seem to gain momentum,” said Veryser. “I hope communities respond properly to sound-science, 60 years of great experience with fluoridated water in Michigan and continue to fluoridate the water to continue fluoridating our water to for the safety and well-being of our children for this generation of the next.”

Boyne City officials estimate the annual cost to add fluoride to their water system would cost around $1 per person per year.

In order to get the issue on the ballot, the group must collect 558 signatures from voters registered in Boyne City by August 12th.

Citizens United for Dental Health is holding it’s next public petition signing open house at the Boyne City District Library July 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Print PDF