Skagit Clean Water was born around the time of the County Commissioners' first summit meeting regarding water fluoridation. This public hearing occurred on Monday, August 15, 2005, with the minutes posted at the County Commissioners' web site. Throughout the remainder of 2005 and a good share of 2006, those associated with Skagit Clean Water continued to meet semi-regularly and focused on community education through discussions and correspondence with the County Commissioners and letters to the editors of local newspapers. During this same period, the group also collected the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of like-minded Skagitonians.
After the August 15th public hearing, CH2M HILL, a program and construction management organization, was contracted by Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County to develop and deliver a fluoride assessment and conceptual report, which was completed on November 17, 2005. The true character of pro-fluoridation interests was revealed during this period. The Washington Dental Service Foundation and its attorney, retired judge Faith Ireland, appeared to do everything within their power to interfere with and hinder the completion of this report. At one point, Ireland filed court papers against the Skagit County PUD, accusing them of withholding the report results. As the assessment was not yet complete, this action by the WDSF was totally unjustified and clearly counterproductive. Indeed, the interference seriously hampered the ability of the PUD to focus on the project and the delivery of the finished product was ultimately delayed.
On September 12, 2006, the Skagit County Commissioners issued Resolution #20060319, which called for "an advisory vote by registered voters within PUD No. 1 of Skagit County Judy Reservoir Service area" regarding fluoridation of the public water supply. Skagit Clean Water responded by shifting into high gear with its campaign of public awareness about the dangerous effects of excessive fluoride exposure to human beings of all ages. Until it attained formal Political Action Committee status, only weeks before the November 7th vote, expenses incurred by Skagit Clean Water came out of the pockets of individual members. Campaign materials included yard signs, buttons, and volumes of printed scientific studies and essays that were handed out in public places and door-to-door. On many occasions, up to a dozen Skagit Clean Water volunteers could be found waving yard signs outside of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op during afternoon rush hour. For a fee, KSVR-FM 91.7, the Skagit Valley College radio station, even aired pre-taped segments from both sides of the water fluoridation issue.
By the end of Election Day, the Skagit Clean Water PAC had been outspent by the opposition approximately 90 to 1, at $116,000 to $1,300, according to an article in the November 8th edition of The Skagit Valley Herald. Even so, the vote on Proposition 2 went to the pro-fluoridationists by the slim margin of 52% to 48% — nowhere near what could be considered a solid mandate.
On January 2, 2007, the County Commissioners signed Resolution #20070008, which set 11 am on January 16th as the time and date for a final hearing on the subject of water fluoridation in Skagit County. In the time since the results of the non-binding advisory vote became known, individuals and pairs representing the Skagit Clean Water PAC have continued to meet with Commissioners Don Munks and Ken Dahlstedt in an attempt to convince them to abandon the idea of polluting our drinking water. Each time, it has been clear that neither one of the men came prepared by reviewing our visual aids and valid medical data — not even the dreadful conclusions that were revealed in the Nation Research Council's report on Fluoride in Drinking Water, which was released in March of 2006. In a shocking display of utter disrespect — with not even a day's notice — Commissioners Munks and Dahlstedt attempted to cancel a meeting with dental expert Bill Osmunson, DDS MPH, the first week of January 2007. Unaware of this last-minute change, Dr. Osmunson traveled the 80 miles from Bellevue, Washington to give his presentation on the ill effects of too much fluoride in human beings. Commissioner Munks was visibly irritated, almost angry at his arrival! Only newly-installed Commissioner Sharon Dillon had the courtesy to honor the broken appointment, listening intently to Dr. Osmunson for over half an hour.
The general consensus amongst members of Skagit Clean Water is that Commissioners Munks and Dahlstedt, and possibly former Commissioner Ted Anderson, had their minds made up from the outset to mandate water fluoridation. Ted Anderson never did keep his appointments with any of us. Not so oddly enough, there seemed to be a clear sense that we were being pacified any time that we sat down with Commissioners Munks or Dahlstedt. On the other hand, it seems as though the red carpet has been rolled out for Faith Ireland and the pro-fluoridation faction whenever they have had an audience with these two Commissioners. To be sitting in the waiting area and see these people interact, the sense of camaraderie and the jovial exchanges were extremely difficult to miss. One could easily get the impression that anything having to do with public hearings and the advisory vote has all been for show, an elaborate illusion — that the decision to fluoridate the water supply of Skagit County was made as early as August 2005. A few of us have even discussed the possibility that, in the same manner in which the PUD consulting firm was harassed during the course of performing its assigned task, PUD staff may very well be living in fear of similar conditions arising that would obstruct their day-to-day business and ability to serve the public. |
