Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

you are in favor of fluoridating Modesto's drinking water supply and raising water rates up to 2% to pay for the operation and maintenance costs of fluoridation.

A NO vote of this measure means:

you are not in favor of fluoridating Modesto's drinking water.

The City Council has determined to let the voters of Modesto decide this issue by placing an ordinance on the ballot that would mandate fluoridation of Modesto's drinking water supply in accordance with the standards set by the State of California. The ordinance would also impose up to a 2% water rate increase to pay for the ongoing maintenance and operation costs associated with fluroridation of Modesto's drinking water. However, the fluoridation mandate provided for the ordinance would not go into effect unless the grant funding for the capital costs of fluoridation is still available on terms acceptable to the City on the effective date of the proposed ordinance. If the ordinance is approved, it may not be amended or modified unless the amendment or modification is approved by the voters in a subsequent election.

You should vote "YES" on this measure if you are in favor of fluoridating Modesto's drinking water supply and raising water rates up to 2% to pay for the operation and maintenance costs of fluoridation.

You should vote "NO" on this measure if you are not in favor of fluoridating Modesto's drinking water.

/s/ Michael D. Milich

We have committed our lives to various aspects of health care and public health. We see health problems up close on a daily basis. We know the scientific and medical facts. That is why we wholeheartedly support Measure M for the people of Modesto.

MEASURE M WILL ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF NATURALLY OCCURRING FLUORIDE IN MODESTO'S DRINKING WATER TO THE OPTIMUM LEVEL TO HELP FORM STRONG ENAMEL AND HEALTHY TEETH,

Over 150 million Americans drink fluoride-rich water, from natural and added sources. Every recognized national and international health authority supports community water fluoridation as an effective dental health practice. Dental decay is America's neglected epidemic, affecting young and old alike. Fluoridated drinking water is the simplest, safest, cheapest - and most widely effective - way of preventing cavities.

Opponents of fluoride have used a variety of scare tactics over the years. These are not based upon large population studies, and are misleading. Some of these stories accuse fluoride of causing cancer and other serious health problems. IN FACT, NUMEROUS SCIENTIFIC STUDIES HAVE DOCUMENTED THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF WATER FLUORIDATION SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 1945.

What about cost? The California Dental Association estimates that every dollar invested in fluoridation saves $140 in dental bills. THIS IS A SAVINGS TO FAMILIES, AND A SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN PUBLIC HEALTH COSTS TO TAXPAYERS. The cost of fluoridation to each Modesto household will be about forty cents per month.

In the words of the US Surgeon General, water fluoridation is "the single most effective public health measure to prevent decay and improve oral health over a lifetime. "

Please join us in voting YES for a healthier Modestol

/s/ John Walker, MD
Stanislaus County Public Health Officer

/s/ Beverly M. Finley, Retired Managing Director
Stanislaus County Health Services Agency

/s/ Douglas W. Chadwick, MD
Retired Modesto Pediatrician

/s/ Jeff Jue

/s/ Andrew P. Soderstrom, DDS
Pediatric Dentist

Proponents deceive the public by making incomplete and misleading statements.

Facts and complete information omitted by proponents:

• Measure M would burden. Modesto residents with a (minimum) $5,000,000 boondoggle. (Proposed City Fluoridation Budget)

• Modesto would be required to enter into a minimum 10-year, open-ended contract with virtually NO controls on COST increases.

• Hydrofluosillcic acid and Sodium fluoride, hazardous wastes from the phosphate fertilizer industry, contain significant levels of arsenic, lead, mercury and other contaminants; which would be added to our drinking water, underground aquifers and rivers.

• 2/3 of children in fluoridated communities display some dental fluorosis (fluoride toxicity). (National Institute of Dental Research)

• Due to other existing excess fluoride exposure, doctors are advised to restrict fluoride prescriptions:

• None to pregnant women!

• None to infants up to six months!

• Baby formulas should be prepared with non-fluoridated water. (American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics)

Over 99 percent of municipally fluoridated water will not enter the bodies of the intended subjects. Instead, it will go onto our lawns, cars, and driveways, into the ground or to the wastewater treatment plant. Nearly all of your 2% rate increase will GO DOWN THE DRAIN.

Why send large amounts of a toxic substance where it will do no one any good? The long term environmental ramifications of dumping tons of the poison are predictable. The collateral damage to public health will be much greater than the promised benefit.

Those who want fluoride can take pills with controlled dosage.

Fluoride has chemical properties similar to Lead and DDT. Once it enters your body, it cannot be expelled. It bonds to your bones, increasing in concentration as long as you continue to ingest it. At some point, the concentration becomes harmful to health. Each person has a different tolerance level.

Once a child attains age 16, fluoridation Is no longer beneficial. It is also harmful for infants prior to age 3. Why force everyone to ingest a toxic substance NEEDLESSLY for the benefit of a small segment of the population?

Protect your long term health. Vote NO!

/s/ Bruce R. Frohman
Elected Office Holder

/s/ Keith M. Werner
Green Party County Council

/s/ Monique Capp
Green Party Treasurer

Multiple studies show that adjustments made to naturally ­occurring fluoride to therapeutic levels do not pose a health risk. All substances - including vitamins, salt, chlorine - even water itself - are "poison" in high doses, but low doses are safe. Many such "poisons", in proper amounts, are essential to life itself.

Fluoride in low doses has been used for over 50 years with no side effects. During that time it has enjoyed the wholehearted support of medical and dental professionals, and of every Surgeon General of the United States.

One of those Surgeons General - Dr. Luther Terry - identified what he termed "The four horseman of public health." These were: the pasteurization of milk, purification of water, immunization against disease and controlled fluoridation.

We concur with Dr. Terry and every other recognized medical authority in support of community water fluoridation. We support Measure M.

/s/ Douglas W. Chadwick, MD
Retired Modesto Pediatrician

/s/ Beverly M. Finley
Retired Managing Director, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency

/s/ Jeff Jue

/s/ Andrew P. Soderstrom, DDS
Pediatric Dentist

/s/ John Walker, MD
Stanislaus County Public Health Officer

The people of the City of Modesto do ordain as follows:

• For purposes of dental health, the City Manager of the City of Modesto is hereby authorized and directed to take any and all necessary steps to fluoridate the City's drinking water supply in accordance with Sections 116410 and 116415 of the California Health and Safety Code (AB 733).

• In addition, subject to the City's compliance with Section 6 of Article XIII D of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), a water rate increase of up to two (2%) percent to pay for the on-going maintenance and operation costs associated with fluoridation is hereby enacted and approved. Nothing in this section shall prohibit or otherwise change the City's ability to alter water rates from time to time as the City Council deems necessary.

• The fluoridation mandate provided for in Section (a) shall not become effective unless the offer of grant funding by the Fluoridation 2000 Group and the Sierra Health Foundation for the capital costs of fluoridation is still available on terms acceptable to the City on the effective date of this Ordinance.

• Effective date: Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9217, if a majority of the voters voting on this Ordinance vote in its favor, the Ordinance shall go into effect ten (10) days after the vote is declared by the Modestro City Council.