SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane’s City Council is holding a virtual forum on Thursday to discuss a possible executive order to add fluoride to the water supply, but Mayor Nadine Woodward is not in favor.
Woodward posted a message to her Facebook page on Tuesday night, saying she was against the idea of an executive order and encouraged people to comment publicly.
“You should decide whether our city’s drinking water is altered! And it should be on the ballot,” she said.
Organizations have been pushing for higher levels of fluoride in city water, especially since school closures during the pandemic will make it harder for students to access dental health programs. Naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water rarely appears in high enough amounts to impact dental health.
The council’s forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday. It is open for public testimony, but to comment, you must sign up between 2:30-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the forum.
From the Mayor’s Facebook page:
Spokane has a long history with water fluoridation. Over the years voters have routinely turned it down, most recently in 2000.
That was a long time ago. But now, the issue is being considered again. Only this time, not at the ballot, but as an Emergency Order by the City Council. An Emergency Order in the midst of our community’s Covid Recovery.
How is fluoridating our drinking water related to Covid? It’s not. Providing rental assistance to keep people in their homes, grants to struggling small businesses and childcare support for families who are fortunate to still be working, certainly are.
YOU should decide whether our city’s drinking water is altered! And it should be at the ballot.
Make YOUR voice heard at a Virtual Public Forum this Thursday from 6-8pm on City Cable 5 at my.spokane.org/citycable5/live/.
To sign up for public testimony: https://forms.gle/735F3V485jkbevER9