Vinalhaven, Maine rejects fluoride

By Shlomit Auciello
The Herald Gazette Reporter

VINALHAVEN (June 10): Vinalhaven voters on Tuesday filled two selectman positions, two school board posts and one post on the Vinalhaven Water District. All the positions are for three years.

... In addition to those elected positions, voters decided on fluoridation and the SAD 8 budget.

This was the second time in less than a year that VInalhaven has voted on the following question:

"Shall fluoride be added to the public water supply for the intended purpose of reducing tooth decay?"

At the November 2008 presidential balloting, the count was 423 in favor of the chemical additive and 320 against. Tuesday's vote reversed that decision by a 3 to 1 margin, with 99 votes for adding the treatment and 317 against.

Vinalhaven resident and mother of two Jessica Farrelly said Wednesday that a loophole in the law allowed her and other concerned citizens to petition the town to reconsider last year's fluoride vote.

Gathering more than 100 signatures, Farrelly's group returned the question to the ballot. She said her concerns were primarily financial.

"The question didn't explain the risks and costs," she said, adding that the specific language of the question was mandated by the state. Farrelly said the town's water system is in need of line replacements and other upgrades, and many of those voting in Vinalhaven live outside the water district. "They won't pay for it or drink it," she said.

In discussing health concerns raised during her research on the issue, Farrelly said individuals need to make their own decisions. She added that the chemical is used as a pesticide and can be found in many common foods...