For the fourth time since 1956, Portland has rejected the fluoridation of water and upheld its status as the only city in the nation's 30 most populous without fluoridated water. Despite the proponents raising three times the money of the opponents, they were voted down 60% to 40% on Tuesday, May 21st.
The pro-fluoride group Healthy Kids, Healthy Portland released the following statement shortly after conceding defeat: "The results are certainly disappointing, but I think they're mostly disappointing because, at the end of the day, we were not able to provide this preventative measure to people who need it", said Alejandro Queral, co-chair of the group's steering committee. "The issue doesn't go away at the end of the election."
Even Portland Mayor Charlie Hales’ endorsement of fluoridation could not sway enough voters. "The measure lost even with my own 'yes' vote," Hales said. "Disappointing, but I accept the will of the voters."
Portland has been conflicted over fluoridation since the 1950s. The city first rejected the proposal in the 1950s, then again in 1962. By 1978 Portland appeared to be warming up to the idea by approving a fluoridation plan – but two years later they backtracked and abandoned the idea.
Portland continued to be at conflict with fluoridation for the next thirty-three years, until the City Council approved a plan to add fluoride at 0.7 parts per million starting in March 2014.
The opposition, however, was strong. Lawn signs asking residents to vote against “fluoridation chemicals” began appearing, and despite raising nearly one million dollars, proponents were unable to pass fluoridation. The plan would have provided nearly 900,000 people with fluoridated water.
