Poynette Board Ignores Referendum, Votes Against Fluoride
Nonbinding Referendum Supported Adding Fluoride To Water
Updated: 7:03 am CDT April 15,2009
POYNETTE, Wis. -- A heated debate was thought to be settled when Poynette residents voted last week to return fluoride to the village's water supply, but the village board on Monday didn't follow the results of the nonbinding referendum.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe fluoride debate goes back to last July, when village leaders voted to remove fluoride from the water supply.Heated debates and grassroots campaigns followed to bring the fluoride back. Dental professionals argue that fluoride is especially important for children for their developing teeth.And, in general, experts say that fluoridated water drastically reduces cavities and tooth decay. But some in Poynette said they believe fluoride in the water supply is harmful to residents' health. (Click here to read more about the fluoride debate)The debate came to a head last week in a nonbinding referendum. In a 278 to 128 vote, residents voted to put fluoride back in the Poynette's water supply.Most thought that was the end of the story. But when the village board voted on the fluoride issue Monday night, the majority of the board ignored the results of last week's referendum and decided to keep fluoride out of the water.Poynette trustee Dave Branish was one of three people on the board who voted to keep fluoride out, ignoring the referendum's 2-1 margin."I can't say to them that I'm going to make you have fluoride in your water, whether you want it or not, just because 278 people want it," Branish said. "There's a lot who aren't able to go vote, a lot of them don't care."When asked about the referendum as a democratic process, Branish responded, "I don't feel 278 people is the majority in Poynette."Fluoride advocate and dental hygienist Tracie Gavinski said Branish's reasoning is "absurd." Although the referendum was nonbinding, she said the board clearly isn't interested in how residents feel."We thought it was a no-brainer," Gavinski said. "We thought for sure they would put it back in. That's their civic duty as a board member, to vote the way the public wants. And they didn't do that."Branish said it was his moral obligation to do what he felt was best for the health of the public.So would Branish have voted the same way, regardless of the referendum?"Absolutely, only because of my knowledge on the product," Branish replied.Branish was defeated in the last week's election and will leave the village board soon, WISC-TV reported.The vote at Monday's board meeting was 3-2. Dave Branish, Jenny VanSchoyck Teeter and Kevin Marquardt voted against adding fluoride to the water supply. Steve Tomlinson and Bernie Wells voted for adding fluoride. Trustee Andy Ross abstained from the vote.Ross told WISC-TV he supports adding fluoride back into the water and will bring the issue back to a vote when the new board is sworn in next month.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe fluoride debate goes back to last July, when village leaders voted to remove fluoride from the water supply.Heated debates and grassroots campaigns followed to bring the fluoride back. Dental professionals argue that fluoride is especially important for children for their developing teeth.And, in general, experts say that fluoridated water drastically reduces cavities and tooth decay. But some in Poynette said they believe fluoride in the water supply is harmful to residents' health. (Click here to read more about the fluoride debate)The debate came to a head last week in a nonbinding referendum. In a 278 to 128 vote, residents voted to put fluoride back in the Poynette's water supply.Most thought that was the end of the story. But when the village board voted on the fluoride issue Monday night, the majority of the board ignored the results of last week's referendum and decided to keep fluoride out of the water.Poynette trustee Dave Branish was one of three people on the board who voted to keep fluoride out, ignoring the referendum's 2-1 margin."I can't say to them that I'm going to make you have fluoride in your water, whether you want it or not, just because 278 people want it," Branish said. "There's a lot who aren't able to go vote, a lot of them don't care."When asked about the referendum as a democratic process, Branish responded, "I don't feel 278 people is the majority in Poynette."Fluoride advocate and dental hygienist Tracie Gavinski said Branish's reasoning is "absurd." Although the referendum was nonbinding, she said the board clearly isn't interested in how residents feel."We thought it was a no-brainer," Gavinski said. "We thought for sure they would put it back in. That's their civic duty as a board member, to vote the way the public wants. And they didn't do that."Branish said it was his moral obligation to do what he felt was best for the health of the public.So would Branish have voted the same way, regardless of the referendum?"Absolutely, only because of my knowledge on the product," Branish replied.Branish was defeated in the last week's election and will leave the village board soon, WISC-TV reported.The vote at Monday's board meeting was 3-2. Dave Branish, Jenny VanSchoyck Teeter and Kevin Marquardt voted against adding fluoride to the water supply. Steve Tomlinson and Bernie Wells voted for adding fluoride. Trustee Andy Ross abstained from the vote.Ross told WISC-TV he supports adding fluoride back into the water and will bring the issue back to a vote when the new board is sworn in next month.
Previous Stories:
- March 19, 2009: Some In Poynette Want Fluoride Back In Water
Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
