Commission Not Ready To End Fluoridation

A group hoping to convince Salina City Commissioners to enact legislation that would end fluoridation of the city water supply showed up in force at the city commission meeting Monday evening.

About a dozen members of the group called “Salina Cares” spoke, asking commissioners to end the process of adding fluoride to city water. The group believes that fluoride does more harm than good, and wants the city to immediately stop adding fluoride to the water.

After about an hour of listening to discussion, commissioners were informally polled on their opinion of the issue. Four of the five commissioners indicated that they had no interest in stopping fluoridation of Salina water. Commissioner Kaye Crawford indicated that she had not made up her mind yet on the issue.

Salina Cares indicated that they are prepared to begin a petition campaign to try and bring the issue to the ballot.

City Attorney Greg Bengston cautioned them to consult with legal counsel throughout the process. Bengston said that only legislative issues can brought to a public vote via a petition campaign, and that administrative issues cannot. He said that based on recent Supreme Court case law, there is some question on if this is a legislative or administrative issue.