City Debates Fluoride Issue

The long-standing fluoride debate will finally be settled next week as
Dryden voters will decide whether the chemical should be re-introduced.
The City has been against the idea in previous years citing a lack of
clear scientific evidence, safety concerns and costs.
City Manager Arie Hoogenboom suggests the cost to safely add fluoride would be roughly
300-thousand dollars and would result in a 5% hike in water rates.
Adding fluoride to the Municipal water supply was last rejected in November 2004 by a 6-0 margain.
Hoogenboom says Council had a number of concerns.
A referendum was called after the Northwestern Health Unit submited
an 1,100 signature petition.
Officials stress tooth decay rates among area youth have gone up
considerably since fluoride was removed from the drinking water in 2001.