A debate involving experts from both sides of the water fluoride debate in Red Deer will happen this September.
City council received a report for information on Monday about a speaker/panel discussion that will be held on Sept. 11. Both opponents and supporters of fluoride will speak at the afternoon session, followed by a session later that day involving public input.
Civic leaders are gathering public input before they decide on Oct. 1 on whether they should make a final decision or go to a plebiscite, likely at the next municipal election.
Councillors Lynne Mulder and Cindy Jefferies questioned why the panel discussion would take place during the afternoon. Mulder said it could be a session that would have the panel discussion first, followed by the public input session, even though it might make for a longer meeting. “There are lots of people who cannot take an afternoon off,” added Jefferies.
She suggested the session start at around 4 p.m. instead of around 1 p.m.
Earlier this year, council decided that up to $30,000 should come out of water utilities rather than the municipality’s tax stabilization reserve to pay for public consultation. So far, the estimated amount spent on public input has been $15,000.
“I think some of the efforts that we’ve already done as far as engaging community input has been good,” said Coun. Chris Stephan.
Stephan said the city should just go ahead with planning a plebiscite for the next municipal election and then have an expert discussion leading up to it.
“We’re dragging this out and I think people from both sides are getting frustrated,” said Stephan later. “It’s taking a lot of time and we’re spending a lot of money on this.”
City manager Craig Curtis said it was council’s decision earlier to get as much information as it could before it decided on whether to hold a plebiscite.
Fluoride in the water supply is a hotly divided issue.
Supporters of fluoride say it’s a good way of fighting cavities, but anti-fluoride supporters say it’s no longer necessary when fluoride can be found in toothpaste. They also argue that fluoride is actually hexafluorosilicic acid, a type of toxic waste.
Fluoridation of Red Deer’s public water supply is mandated by a plebiscite that was held in the 1950s.
The water treatment plant is legally required to continue this practice.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com