The Hooksett Banner ­ September 9, 2004

 

The great fluoride debate: How do you decide?; Why we're voting; The pros and cons Fireworks a first this year at Candia Old Home Day Ken Andrews resigns; spent 18 years in code enforcement Police chief expresses appreciation to soldiers with painting	Are you interested in chatting about Hooksett issues? Want to help plan Hooksett's future? Check out the new Internet chat group begun by the master plan committee at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hooksett_chat/ Auburn has a similar group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburn/

The great fluoride debate: public health vs. individual rights

News Analysis

How do you decide?

By GINGER KOZLOWSKI
Staff Writer
editor@hooksettbanner.com

When it comes to matters of public health, it's often hard to know who to believe. For instance, we were told a low-fat diet was the way to go, now high fat and low carb is in vogue. Claims are made about supplements being safe because they are all natural, yet those same supplements can cause harm.

About some issues we are relatively sure. Smoking causes cancer. Too much alcohol is bad for you. Exercise is a good thing for your body.

And, until recently, fluoride in the water supply was generally considered safe and effective ­ even one of the top 10 public health achievements in human history.

The vote being made by Hooksett, Bedford, Goffstown, Londonderry and Manchester on Tuesday, Sept. 14, will be a difficult one for residents since there are two ways of looking at this issue.

Either you see it as a health issue or you see it as an individual rights issue.

Individual rights vs. the greater good of the community New Hampshire is well known for its Live Free or Die slogan. It is a credo many people live by here. For instance, this state allows adults to ride motorcycles without helmets because the prevailing sentiment is that the government has no right to tell adults how to act. If you believe the government has no right to put substances in municipal drinking water beyond what makes it safe to drink, you will undoubtedly vote against putting fluoride in the water. It's certainly possible for anyone interested in getting fluoride supplements to do so, allowing the population as a whole to avoid unwanted substances in the water. However, if you believe the greater good of the community is served by having fluoride, you will vote in favor of the question. This assumes the health risks of adding fluoride are negligible, and that the population as a whole will have stronger teeth and fewer cavities through the addition of fluoride. Health concerns So, if you would like to do the greatest good for the community, is fluoride the healthy benefit it has been promoted to be all these years? The two sides on this question are rather lopsided. On the pro-fluoride side is the body of scientific evidence, supported by endorsements from the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control.

MORE THAN JUST A DRINK ­ Fluoride is currently added to water coming from Manchester Water Works. If removed, there are still fluoridated toothpastes and even fluoride gel that residents could use in its place. (Ginger Kozlowski Photo)

On the anti-fluoride side are innumerable groups such as Citizens Against Fluoride Exposure and Citizens for Clean Water. These are, on the whole, activist groups, grassroots efforts to take fluoride out of drinking water.


Anti-fluoride groups point out the warning on toothpastes urging a call to the poison control center if more than a tiny bit of toothpaste is swallowed. The compound used to fluoridate water has cancer-causing agents such as lead, mercury and arsenic in it. How could fluoridated water possibly be safe if it contains these elements?

The problem here is who to believe. The scientific community has certainly been proved wrong before. Sometimes it takes activist groups to get commonly held beliefs to be re-examined, such as the belief that mentally impaired people are only worth locking away. And as we see in the news every day, beliefs about what is or is not desirable in one's diet can change radically. Play it safe, say the anti-fluoride people. Why force everyone to have a possibly dangerous substance in their water?

Polls are open in all towns for voting in state primaries on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Along with voting for candidates, Hooksett and Auburn will answer the question of whether to have fluoride added to the water coming from Manchester Water Works. Allenstown ­ 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Allenstown Elementary School. Epsom ­ 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the American Legion Hall. Hooksett ­ 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Cawley Middle School. Pembroke ­ 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Pembroke Village School. Candia ­ 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Moore School. Auburn ­ 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Auburn Village School.

Because it is a greater benefit to the community, say fluoride advocates. The risk is so small as to be negligible, but the benefit is great to all, especially to those in our community who cannot afford fluoride treatments or visits to the dentist.

If you believe that science serves the greater good, you will vote for fluoridation. If you are not sure science has all the answers and would rather play it safe, you will vote against.

How many people believe in fluoride's safety will be answered with the Sept. 14 vote.

Why We're Voting

Laws change on vote

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

The referendum on community water fluoridation is just around the corner. Many people are asking, how did we get here ­ again?

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, Manchester, Goffstown, Londonderry, Bedford and Hooksett will vote on the issue of community water fluoridation because they receive water from Manchester Water Works. Auburn and Derry also receive some city water, but they won't be a part of that vote.

Richard DiPentima, deputy public health director of the Manchester Department of Public Health said the list of legalities leading to this vote dates back to 1998.

DiPentima said that two dentists working with the department of public health went to Manchester elementary schools each year for 20 years. Their data indicates that 60 percent of children have tooth decay. This report caused the department to spring to action in 1998.

In 1998, the Manchester Department of Public Health teamed up with the Healthy Manchester Leadership Council to get a petition signed by 10 percent of Manchester's registered voters.

In step with past legislation, since Manchester is the owner of Manchester Water Works, only Manchester voters needed to sign the petition and vote.

In November of 1999, Manchester voters approved water fluoridation by a very slim margin. In 2001, a lawsuit was filed in Superior Court asking that Manchester be barred from fluoridating the water because outlying communities did not get to vote.

The court ruled all affected communities should vote, but because the law was unclear, it gave the city of Manchester until June 2005 to remedy the situation with new legislation. Manchester filed Senate Bill 449 in response, which would have established that only the community that owns the public water supply gets to vote. The Senate amended the bill, adding that every voter in any community that receives water from Manchester gets to vote.

Rotted baby teeth result from sugary drinks and no fluoride.  A milder case of fluorosis leaves white spots on teeth.

The House further amended the bill to say that communities with fewer than 100 direct connections to the water supply do not get to vote. Auburn and Derry are those communities. Manchester is also required to revote.

Now, a lawsuit has been filed by Auburn and Derry residents who receive city water and are being denied a vote. A hearing on the issue was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8, in the Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester. Results could not be obtained by press time.

Attorney Jed Z. Callen is representing Auburn residents Thomas Upham and David Lariviere, Derry residents Fred W. DeJong, and Kim and Charles Statler, and Manchester state Rep. Barbara J. Hagan.

Hagan said there are two parts to the lawsuit.

"Voters of Auburn and Derry are again being denied a vote on this issue," Hagan said.

She said this is unconstitutional and a denial of due process.

Also, Hagan said the lawsuit will address the wording of the ballot question. Hydrofluorosilicic acid is the actual material being added to the water, whereas the ballot question reads simply "fluoride."

Things to Consider

The pros and cons:

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Since December of 2000, Manchester Water Works has been adding one part per million of hydrofluorosilicic acid, or fluoride, to its water. A meter monitors the amount of fluoride at all times.

Irene Beaulieu of the Central Hooksett Water Precinct said the precinct serves approximately 1,500 Hooksett households and businesses. The area that is serviced with city water runs from the Space Center to Granite Hills. Auburn has just under 100 service connections.

Tom Bowen, of the Manchester Water Works, said approximately 3,000 Bedford residents receive city water containing fluoride.

Bowen also said most of the Pinardville area in Goffstown is also served by Manchester, adding up to about 3,000 people. There are about 1,300 service connections to Goffstown residents, but, generally speaking, more than one resident uses the water for each connection.

Both opponents and proponents of fluoridated water have written and spoken extensively on the subject. The source of information is not always not clear, and the credibility of every statement is sometimes in question. These are some of the often heard and read-about reasons to support or denounce fluoride at the Sept. 14 vote.

The Manchester Department of Public Health has put out a lot of literature concerning the benefits of fluoride. Public Health Director Fred Rusczek has also spoken about the perceived benefits of community fluoridated water many times.  "We know that fluoridation is the single most important thing a community can do to improve oral health," Rusczek said. "It's not only beneficial to kids but to adults as well ­ if they still have teeth."

Adult teeth also get cavities more often without fluoride.

Pro-fluoride

These are some of the reasons to vote for continuing water fluoridation according to the Manchester Department of Public Health:

· Community water fluoridation is the single most effective way to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.

· Fluoridated water is safe for all populations.

· Fluoridated water has been named one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.

· People who drink fluoridated water will have 35 percent less tooth decay.

· Water is the most effective way to deliver fluoride to the body.

· For every dollar invested in fluoridated water, $80 of dental treatment will be averted.

· It costs about a quarter per person per year to fluoridate Manchester's water.

· Close to 170 million people in over 10,000 American communities are drinking fluoridated water.

· Some communities have fluoridated their water for close to 60 years, Durham fluoridated its water in 1955, and was the first New Hampshire community to do so.

· Fluoridation of community water supplies is supported by many organizations, including the American Dental Association, American Medical Association, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and many others.

· Fluoridated water does not taste any different than non-fluoridated water.

· Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in water, food, rocks and soil.

Anti-fluoride

Citizens Against Fluoride Exposure, headed by Manchester resident Lloyd Basinow, and other opponents of community water fluoridation have put out literature, spoken publicly and filed lawsuits to express their beliefs about fluoridating the water.

"No citizen should be forced against their will to consume toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, iron and arsenic in their drinking water as the Water Works has publicly admitted is contained in their fluoridation agent, hydrofluorosilicic acid," Basinow said. "If allowed to continue, what next will be added to the water without our knowledge and consent in the name of the public's welfare and interest?"

These are the arguments of Citizens Against Fluoride to vote not to continue fluoridating the water:

· Fluoride contains lead, arsenic, cyanide and mercury.

· The Federal Environmental Protection Agency has said these things should be at zero to ensure that there are no health risks.

· Fluoride comes from industrial waste.

· Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, which can cause spotting on teeth and possibly lead to skeletal problems. · The American Dental Association receives money for endorsing fluoride. · All residents who receive city water should get to vote, including Auburn and Derry who are currently being denied the vote. · Some populations, including the diabetic, people on dialysis, children, the elderly and others can be vulnerable to contaminants that fluoride contains and will have to buy bottled water.

Too much fluoride causes fluorosis. This is an extreme case.

· Fluoridated water tastes bad.

· Contaminants in fluoride build up in the body and can cause cancer.

· Fluoridated water can contain contaminants that adversely affect the development of children.

· People who want fluoride can buy it at one of many area stores, why force it on everybody?

· Baby formula should not ever contain fluoridated water or it could adversely affect your child.

· Fluoride can adversely affect the environment and wildlife.

Candia

Fireworks a first this year at Candia Old Home Day

By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com

For the first time, the town's Old Home Day on Saturday, Sept. 18, will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display at Moore School, beginning at dusk.

According to Rhonda Thyng of the Old Home Day committee, the fireworks will be set off from the field behind the school. For safety, the entire field will be closed off from viewing, but people will be able to watch the fireworks from the school's parking lot. Food and game vendors will begin arriving there at about 6 p.m.

"Bring your blankets and your bug spray, and get ready for a good show," Thyng said.

But the festivities will begin on Friday, Sept. 17, when the Masons will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The proceeds will benefit the Candia Food Pantry.

And at 7 p.m., the Candia Girl Scouts will hold a Family Harvest Dance at Moore School ­ this year's Old Home Day theme is "The Harvest."

On Saturday morning, the Fire Department will serve up pancakes from 4 to 10 a.m.

Old Home Day events at Moore Field will begin at 9 a.m. Thyng said there will be a magician, several musical groups, and inflatables for the kids throughout the day, in addition to a performance by the Manchester Central High School Band, and a pie-eating contest.

A DJ from Epic Entertainment will be on hand all day as well, she said, as well as more than 40 food and craft vendors.

The parade, which begins at 10 a.m., will start at the old library, travel past the park to the Four Corners, and end at the school.

Old Home Day events will wrap up around 3 p.m., just a few hours before people can head over to the school to watch the fireworks. Viewers should park near town hall and walk over to the school, Thyng said.

This year's event will be the third Old Home Day put on by the current committee. Last year, Thyng said that about 1,400 people attended.

"We did really well with it last year, and we hope to do even better this year," she said.

Hooksett

Ken Andrews resigns; spent 18 years in code enforcement

By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Ken Andrews, Hooksett's code enforcement officer, is clearing out his office.

In light of his resignation, Andrews will be removing all of the signs and certificates that brief viewers of his prestigious qualifications and putting up an old sign from his college days.

"Hi mom, send money."

Andrews has been Hooksett's code enforcement officer for a few months shy of 18 years. His last day will be Oct. 1.

"It's just not fun anymore," Andrews said. "But it has been an awesome time. It's a necessary job, but it's an evil job. I'm tired of making people unhappy."

Andrews said he has dedicated the better part of two decades to Hooksett, and although he is pleased and proud of his work, it has taken a toll on him. Andrews said he receives threatening phone calls and spends his night popping blood pressure pills.
Now 55, Andrews wants to spend more time with his 12 grandchildren and at his house in Florida. What he will do next, he doesn't know. Maybe mom will send money.

Hooksett Assessing Director Sandra Piper said Andrews will certainly be missed.

"He's going to be really hard to replace," Piper said. "He's got qualifications that just won't quit. He's been here for so long that I don't know where to begin to look for someone else. He will be missed tremendously."

Piper said she isn't sure if they'll ever find anyone as qualified as Andrews, but they are looking. Piper is happy with the timing because the assessing department has gotten through its busiest time of the year and is getting ready to send out the tax bills.

Town Administrator Moni Sharma said he is saddened by Andrews' resignation. Sharma has posted the position, and Andrews has promised to help find someone to fill his shoes.

"It's really a setback," Sharma said. "He's a good employee, but if he wants to do something else ..."

Andrews has five children, four of whom live on Cape Cod. He said he and his wife ideally want to spend six months at the Cape and six months at their home in Florida.

"It's a tough decision," Andrews said. "There has been a lot of tears. It has been a marvelous 18 years, but the last few have been progressively frustrating."

Piper said Andrews was their zoning guru, and he was a prime component in their well-oiled machine. Code enforcement, zoning, planning and the tax collector worked very closely together. Piper said she isn't sure what will happen without Andrews.

"It's like a spoke in the wheel is missing," Piper said. "There are going to be a lot of things up in the air."

Piper said she isn't sure how long it will take to find someone to fill the position. If it doesn't get filled before Oct. 1, there may be a delay for residents seeking permits.

"It doesn't concern me at this point in time," Piper said. "But the administrator is worried."

The last line in Andrews' resignation reads: "Though a difficult and painful decision, it is time."

Auburn

Police chief expresses appreciation to soldiers with painting

By DEVON CORMIER Staff Writer dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com Auburn Police Chief Edward Picard served his country in Vietnam, and now he has honored those risking their lives in Iraq. Picard painted a picture of Capt. Daniel Hibner from Michigan City, Ind., as he defended a bridge during a siege in Iraq. Daniel served in Iraq with his twin brother David, both of whom came to New Hampshire to meet with Picard and receive his gift. "I just really appreciate the sacrifice they're making," Picard said. "This is our way of saying, 'Hey guys, thanks a lot.'" Picard, veteran and forenesic artist, painted the picture from a photograph that ran in USA Today. Attorney Bob Bossie saw the story of the twin brothers and told Picard about it. Bossie read an article in which the Hibner brothers' mother said they would love to have care packages and letters sent to Iraq. This was the beginning of Bossie's long correspondence and friendship with the Hibner twins.

BROTHERS IN BATTLE ­ Chief Edward Picard presents his oil painting to Michigan City, Ind., twins and Army captains David and Daniel Hibner. Daniel, wearing the white T-shirt, holds the painting depicting himself in April 2003 defending a bridge in a pilot boat in Baghdad, Iraq. Picard, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran who himself served in river boats, was inspired to create the painting honoring the brothers after seeing Daniel's photograph on a USA Today cover during the spring 2003 invasion of Iraq. (Tobey Henry Photo)

"I saw the article and just said, 'wow,'" Bossie said. "It was very inspiring. They are very brave, everything you would expect in wartime."

While Picard shares his experience with war with the brothers, Bossie shares their love for golfing. Bossie invited Daniel Hibner and his family to vacation with Bossie's family in Florida, where they enjoyed relaxing and golfing.

On Thursday, Aug. 23, both brothers came up to New Hampshire to meet Picard and were presented with the painting.

"I just thought it was amazing," said David. "It is fairly rare for someone to read an article and get to know the people. It's just pretty neat. It was a great experience."

The twins also got another treat ­ their first taste of lobster.

"I've never taken apart a lobster," David said. "It was delicious. New Hampshire is beautiful and we had a great time."

The Hibners stayed with Bossie for three nights and enjoyed Kittery and New Castle. What else did their trip entail? Golfing of course.

"We're glad they came," Picard said. "The Hibners are awesome men. I'll tell you, they're brave."

The brothers have shared many other firsts. A few days apart, they both received gunshot wounds in the left leg. They were both awarded silver stars. They both met their wives at Ball State and Purdue University in Muncie, Ind.

The twins were both deployed overseas to the same place in Iraq. They are both captains ­ and extraordinary ones at that, according to Picard and Bossie.

Picard, not unlike the Hibners, was awarded a bronze star in Vietnam.

"The chief was shot a number of times," Bossie said. "He's a hero from the Vietnam War and he's lucky to be alive. He's a very brave man, too."

The twins are apart now. Thirty-one-year-old David Hibner is heading to Korea for a little while, but not before he goes home to visit with his wife and three children in Virginia.

"We've been apart before," David said. "It's nice when we can get together but it's lucky, too."

David is happy to be out of Iraq for a while, but if he's headed back he doesn't know. He guesses he will return.

"Iraq. I think to say it was a life changing experience is not a strong-enough statement," David said. "It's an amazing experience and you feel proud for what you've done. I'm glad to come home in one piece."