<< Back 5/8/02 Flouridated water proposal for Franklin doesn’t get backing By Beth Seay A controversial question before the town of Franklin died for lack of a second at the meeting of the town’s alderman on Monday night. The board was considering adding fluoride to the town’s water supply, a measure recommended by state officials January, according to town administrator Mike Decker. Alderman Billy Waldroop spoke to the multitude of information available about water fluoridation on the internet, “most of which is negative ... almost to a panic level.” He said he read reports predicting that the Centers for Disease Control, which currently recommends fluoridation for the prevention of dental cavities, would probably stop supporting it’s use. He said he was in opposition to the measure. In response, Alderman Nancy Scott stated that research for “more than 40 years” has proven that fluoridation at the level the town would use (1 part per million) was very effective, “costwise and healthwise” for prevention of cavities, especially in children. “Pediatricians, dentists, doctors and pediatric dentists” she spoke with all were in support of the use of fluoride in public water systems, said Scott. Mayor Ed Henson, who is also a dentist, agreed. Alderman Tom Woodlee said “every tube of toothpaste” he picked up in the store contained fluoride, “but you don’t have to swallow it.” Alderman Jerry Evans added that most children are “not even on the town water system”, while Scott pointed out that several of the county schools are on the town water system. During the public comment session at the beginning of the meeting, Ed Robles presented a handout to the board titled, “Why the Opposition to Fluoride?” It stated that fluoride is a “poison” that is of little or no benefit, that it weakens bones and causes brain damage. “The entire idea behind the fluoridation of water supplies is to dispose of toxic industrial waste by feeding it to people,” Robles’ statement said. Scott’s motion to flouridate the town’s water was not seconded by any other board member and therefore was not voted on and did not pass. The board also discussed the sign ordinance currently under study. Board member Joe Collins said there has been much discussion about on-premises signage, adding that “the devil is in the details.” Board members agreed to a working meeting on Monday, May 20 ,to “dissect” the ordinance, as Collins suggested. Scott suggesed in the interim that the town enact a moratorium on billboards. The town had such a moratorium, but it expired in Feburary. The board agreed to a 90-day moratorium while it considers the ordinance. The board also heard from David Richardson, a film producer from an Atlanta-based company hoping to shoot an independent movie in Franklin next month. Richardson asked for cooperation from the town regarding shooting at several locations throughout the town, mostly at night. He also said the company might need to block streets for a very short period of time, also at night. He said the film company would be bringing a crew of 15-20 people to Franklin for the month-long shoot. The film, which involves a “reporter tracking missing persons,” was currently set in a town called “Shadow Hills,” but that the company would be amenable to changing the town to “Franklin,” especially to make use of local signage. He assured the board that the company was fully insured, and the board agreed to the proposal.