This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Sonoma City Council to Discuss Water Fluoridation, Veterans Building, Bike to Work Day

Council meeting Monday night is open to the public, broadcast on the web

The Sonoma City Council holds its regular meeting on Monday, May 6, at the and will take another look at adding fluoride to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.

The issue was before the Council last month, when the City Council heard a presentation by the County Department of Health Services on its programs to address the oral health problems in Sonoma County, including a proposal, now under study, to fluoridate the County water supply system.

This time there will be a presentation by the Weston A. Price Foundation opposing the concept of a water fluoridation program. The Foundation is non-profit organization dedicated to "restoring nutrient-dense foods to the American diet through education, research and activism.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The issue of water fluoridation was wrapped up in Cold War politics during the 1950s, when it was opposed (not backed as previously and erroneously stated) by right-wing organizations such as the John Birch Society. It was famously parodied in the 1963 Stanley Kubrick film Dr. Strangelove, when Gen Jack D. Ripper launched an atomic missile attack against the USSR because of perceived threats to “our precious bodily fluids.”

Opposition to fluoridation today finds many European Green parties in its camp. The issues of nutrition and an increased concern over any chemical additives to food and water make the issue contemporary again. But as the proposal is a Sonoma County initiative, the direct impact of a stance by the Sonoma City Council is unknown.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The change from a two hour to three hour parking limit in the Plaza area officially comes before Council in the first reading of an ordinance to amend the Sonoma Municipal Code. The measure has general public and council support but must be read, discussed  and passed to become official.

The terms of lease between the City and County for the Sonoma Valley War Memorial Veterans Building will also be considered. The lease expires in June of this year.

Other matters before the City Council on Monday include a presentation by Sonoma County Waste Management Agency on the status of a Carryout Bag Ordinance, the declaration of May 9 as Bike to Work Day, and the introduction of new Public Works Director and City Engineer Dan Takasugi.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?