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Speak Out
Don't drink the water
I am writing to warn you of a measure the Sunnyvale City Council rushed into the already-crowded Nov. 7 ballot. Measure S would allow the city to accept fluoridated water from its water suppliers. I hope you will vote no.
The issues arises because one water supplier (the City of San Francisco) has asked its two dozen municipal customers whether they want "Hetch Hetchy" water fluoridated up stream, and an ordinance upstream, and an ordinance presented by Sunnyvale residents in 1953 prohibits fluoridation of our drinking water. Indeed, only one misguided city in Santa Clara currently adds fluorine to its water: Palo Alto.
I am among the authors of the ballot argument against Measure S voters will receive with their sample ballots in October. Our argument against Measure S points out adding fluoride compounds to everyone's drinking water (and bloodstream) can be harmful -- especially for seniors, infants and persons with certain medical conditions. Any benefits in reducing cavities among 6 to 12-year-olds can be obtained from their topical use of fluoride in toothpaste and rinses.
The proponents of Measure S--including Vice Mayor Jack Walker, Councilman Tim Risch and city staff members--are attempting to mislead voters. In their ballot materials and a televised forum on Sept. 22, proponents have falsely claimed, unless Sunnyvale is allowed to accept fluoridated water, the city would be forced to buy poor quality water at a much higher price.
The city's own records, however, show that it could replace Hetch Hetchy water, should that become necessary, by fully using existing wells or just buying a little more of the Central Valley water provided by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The city has not produced a single document that shows water rates (which average about $20/month) would ever have to be raised a dime.
Please don't be fooled. For those with Internet access, please check out any fluoride websites and consider joining the grassroots campaign against Measure S by calling our new voicemail at 408.793-6240. Proponents outspend us 10 to 1, but we will not give up.
Stan Kawczynski
Former City Council Member 1991-1999
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
