Published: 11/08 1:34 pm
http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local/story/Portland-fluoridation-put-on-hold/vJZNtEec3k2Z8dvRgbxMdA.cspx
FILE - Kathleen Courian-Sanchez shows here sentiments during a City Council vote at City Hall on whether to add fluoride to city water in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. The City Council approved a plan Wednesday to add fluoride to Portland's water, meaning Oregon's biggest city is no longer the largest holdout in the U.S. (Don Ryan, AP Photo)
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Fluoridation opponents have submitted enough signatures to place the issue before Portland voters in 2014.
The city of Portland reported Thursday that the political action committee Clean Water Portland brought enough valid signatures to put a fluoride referendum on the May 2014 ballot. The petition had over 33,000 valid signatures, the city confirmed, over 13,000 more than was required.
Petition organizers are challenging the Portland City Council's unanimous approval of a plan in September to fluoridate the city’s Bull Run water supply by March 2014. The vote came after a coalition of health organizations known as Everybody Deserves Healthy Teeth began lobbying the city on the topic.
Deborah Scroggin with the Office of the City Auditor said the city council now has 30 days to put forth a new ordinance that would repeal its Sept. 12 fluoridation decision. That would mean the issue would not even go to voters. If the council does not pass a new ordinance, the city’s fluoridation plans are halted pending the 2014 referendum vote.
The city council also has the option of calling a special election on the issue at any time prior to May of 2014, Scroggin disclosed.
The city of Portland reported Thursday that the political action committee Clean Water Portland brought enough valid signatures to put a fluoride referendum on the May 2014 ballot. The petition had over 33,000 valid signatures, the city confirmed, over 13,000 more than was required.
Petition organizers are challenging the Portland City Council's unanimous approval of a plan in September to fluoridate the city’s Bull Run water supply by March 2014. The vote came after a coalition of health organizations known as Everybody Deserves Healthy Teeth began lobbying the city on the topic.
Deborah Scroggin with the Office of the City Auditor said the city council now has 30 days to put forth a new ordinance that would repeal its Sept. 12 fluoridation decision. That would mean the issue would not even go to voters. If the council does not pass a new ordinance, the city’s fluoridation plans are halted pending the 2014 referendum vote.
The city council also has the option of calling a special election on the issue at any time prior to May of 2014, Scroggin disclosed.
Portland is the largest city in the U.S. that does not put fluoride in its water.
According to the Associated Press, Portland voters have three times rejected fluoridation.
-- Faris Tanyos and Carla Castaño contributed to this report.
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