MONROE, Wis. (WKOW) – Following national attention, an effort to remove fluoride from Monroe’s water supply has stalled. But a city leader is committed to finding other ways to try and satisfy the concerns of local residents.
Monroe Common Council President Andrew Kranig helped initiate the effort to remove fluoride last fall. He attributed the idea to the concerns of people he spoke to in the community and his own skepticism about the health claims related to fluoride.
The mineral has long been added to water systems across Wisconsin to help prevent tooth decay. Recently, some research has suggested that fluoride correlates to lower IQ, but the science is not settled.
The issue has also caught the attention of federal political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has promised the Trump administration “will advise all U.S?. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.”
Monroe’s local debate over fluoride coincided with the presidential election, supercharging the local debate. People from both within and outside of Monroe contacted local elected officials making their feelings on the issue known.
Some comments came from as far away as North Dakota, Florida and the United Kingdom. In many cases, the comments were from those in favor of keeping fluoride in the water. Several organizations dedicated to advancing dental health were quick to offer their position.
In some cases, the comments turned to harassing or abusive language. Kranig and Mayor Donna Douglas both reported receiving such messages. In Douglas’ case, the angry responses were in her perceived support of keeping fluoride in the water. As mayor, Douglas has a veto over some council actions. She implied to 27 News she may use that authority to strike down removing fluoride.
In the end, Douglas did not need to take overt action. The increasing political tensions entrenched officials serving on the council and on the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee. The latter failed to advance the measure removing fluoride from the city’s water supply to the council, deadlocking 2-2 on the vote.
Without sufficient votes to overcome either the committee or a possible veto, Kranig is turning his focus to other aspects of the issue. He is resolved to use his position on the community’s Public Works Committee to consider changing the kind of fluoride the city adds to its water, from its current supplier to one that might be more palatable to those in the community concerned about potential health impacts.
At its Monday meeting, the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee backed a change to Monroe ordinance, bringing it into alignment with state standards relating to fluoride concentrations in drinking water. The measure will next have a public hearing in February.
Original article online at: https://www.wkow.com/news/national-politics-stall-effort-to-remove-fluoride-from-monroe-drinking-water/article_0e616b66-ddd1-11ef-9f7f-d789c72b16ba.html