The Maize City Council has rejected a petition seeking a referendum on whether the city should fluoridate its new water system.

The council said that the matter was an administrative decision that had already been made and that it did not require a public vote.

“It’s in the water, and, as far as we’re concerned, it will stay there, “council president Clair Donnelly said Tuesday.

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The Wichita Eagle

March 7, 2003

Maize residents submit petition on fluoridation

by Kristin Strole

MAIZE — Residents opposed to the City Council’s plan to fluoridate the city’s new water supply have submitted a petition asking to have the matter placed on a special election ballot.

The City Council took no action and had no comment when the petition was turned in last week. City officials said they will wait for the county election office to certify the petition before deciding what to do.

The City Council approved the fluoridation when it agreed in July 2000 to build a city well system to replace the individual wells that residents, schools and businesses have long relied on.