A Boyne City group wants fluoride back in the public water supply. That’s after Boyne City leaders ended the 40-year fluoridation program in May.
The group “Citizens United for Dental Health” is organizing a petition-drive to get the question on the November ballot.
Tom Veryser, the President of Michigan Community Dental Clinics, is a dentist and Boyne City resident. He supports fluoridation. He says he's seen anti-fluoride activism in the past, but was still shocked with the city commission's vote.
“I was aghast that in the 21st century a local municipality would ignore 60 years of science and positive experience with water fluoridation in this country," Veryser says.
The pro-fluoride group sent mailings this week to every registered voter in Boyne City. They've also planned two open house events next week to collect signatures.
At the same time, a different group wants to do the opposite in Traverse City.
"Fluoride Free in TC" want to force a vote to ban water fluoridation there, after Traverse City commissioners re-affirmed the practice last month.
Both groups need to turn-in signatures by the end of July.