NEWS Milton gets active for Jieart Page I I SPORTS Juveniles deadlocked Page 23 ARTS & ENTERTAIN 4 T'oetry book targeted I Page 14 Weekend * ~ I(iI~ ft~tr1rt fit "w ~ufly A METROLAND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL 144 NO 100 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27 2064 $1 00 (GST ncluded) 36 PAGES "Usîng Communication to Build Better Communities" Flreflghter Gllbert Kulper of 1h. Wasaga Beach Fire Department assiets mn reecue of mock vlctlm Chris Burke of the MIIton Fire Department durtng trelnlng exercise et the Kelso reeorvoh over the weekend. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Residents to be asked about fluoridation By JASOi4 MISNER The Champion Milton's 33,000 residents on a non-fluoridated mumci- pal well-based system wil be asked later thîs year their thoughts about having their drinking water fluoridated - an issue that dates back some 30 years. On response to the findings of poor dental bealth among Milton kids, Halton Region's health and social services committee Tuesday endorsed Halton medical officer of health Dr. Bob Nosals request that residents be consulted before a deci- sion is made regarding fluoridasson. Currently tIse 33,000 residents - who essentially fonn tIse older sec- tion of town - are the only ones in Halton who don't get their water fluoridated. Burlingson, Oakvile and tIse new areas of Milton receive fluondated water through s lake- based system. Halton Hills operates on s municipal weil-based system that's fluoridated. The fluoridation issue doesn't relate to private wells. On tIse Tuesday staff report, Dr. Nosal said he thinka municipal well- water should be fluoridated to improve otal health. "It is my opinion that fluoridatio~s of tIse existmg well-based water sup- ply syttem is an appropriate response to tIse higher levels of tooth decay ni Milton." Acknowledging tIse issues raised from anti-fluoridation groups about tIse risks of bone disease, the report notes fluoride concentrations ni community water supplies are low. It would cost tIse Region $250,O0O to set up tIse fluoridation system at tIse two well operating sites - Kelso and Walkers Line - and $lOOOO annually k operating costa. It's not clear yet what. the format wiil be for tIse public information session. On an interview, Dr. Nosal said regional health staff will make a presentation to Milton town council regarding water fluotidation, likely inApifi. lis conjunction with Milton coun- cil, a date will be set for public con- sultation, probably k May or June. Once the comments have been received, staff will decide what tIse reconirnendation about water fluori- dation wiil be. Regional council would bave to vote on it because water delivery is a regional responaibility. Alto, approval would be needed from the Ministry of tIse Environment. Depending on how thingt proceed, water fluoridation could be estab- lished tome tue in the fall, Dr. Nosal said. Over the last few months, reports * aee REFERENDUM on page 4 Berpmats Home Decor 194 Main St. E Downtown Milton 905-876-4922 Mun-Wod: 9-0, murs-Fn: 0-S, Sut: 0-5:30, Sun: Closud ~1 W~de Comment....6-7 Dateline.15-16 Roal Estate.20 Classified.26-29 gf~iT~ eFddWFebruJuy27e *bMuuu.Shqpuus~q Uir.Zuhs esulmet *m.u5m~.Fudauuw.ca.e.1Itv *Fuiu~' -Huas Hu~uV * HuHu.UbWh ~? *a~u-ar ~. SuIuW * Hum Ibur -OmbiHu ltslulguiihnoutut Hupitur *FutursSliup.Suurs -sar uuiuu~ - -