Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson took it upon himself to shut down the use of fluoride used in the municipality's water treatment system based on claims that water treatment plant employees had been injured on the job.
According to a story filed by digital reporter Megan Pacer with Alaska's News Source, "[Anchorage Mayor David Bronson] decided to turn off the system for adding fluoride to the city’s water supply in early October after hearing from employees that the fluoride was causing negative physical symptoms. It was then turned back on hours later when it was discovered fluoridation is required by city code."
The Alaska Landmine blog recently claimed that the mayor and senior staff members had interfered with the city's water system while on a visit to the Eklutna Water Treatment Plant on October 1. Pacer quotes from a statement from the Mayor's Office responding to the controversy:
“During the visit, a discussion ensued about health problems occurring among water treatment plant staff charged with fluoridation of Anchorage’s water supply,” the statement reads. “AWWU staff informed the Mayor’s team that fluoride burned the eyes and throats of staff who handled it and was a health hazard for employees. Fluoride is considered a hazardous substance that must be handled by trained professionals.”
"The announcement from the mayor’s office comes a day after the assembly began looking into all three allegations made the the Alaska Landmine blog. The other two claims are that Bronson’s administration pressured Anchorage Police Chief Ken McCoy to remove Anchorage police officers from the assembly chambers during a volatile meeting in October, and that the administration asked McCoy to have officers enter a local hospital to remove a COVID-19 patient."
FULL STORY: Anchorage mayor directed city water fluoridation to be turned off, and turned back on hours later
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.