I call that being a good representative and performing my due diligence for all of my constituents.
Fluoride, fluoride everywhere and not a drop to drink.
I am the city commissioner from Ormond Beach that decided to challenge the status quo by asking our fluoride chemical supplier (Harcros Chemicals) to show me what exactly they are selling us. I have tried to find out what we are putting in our water supply; unfortunately to no avail. Now if that is what you call scare-mongering, then I am baffled by your accusation. I call that being a good representative and performing my due diligence for all of my constituents.
Let me be perfectly clear. I have never said that I am anti-fluoride. In fact, my entire family uses toothpaste with fluoride; however, we make sure we spit when we rinse, we do not swallow the fluoride. If you happen to read the warning label on the back of your toothpaste with fluoride, it tells you to "get medical help or contact a poison control center if you swallow more than used for brushing."
I never debated the public policy of fluoride. I simply asked a few questions of a company that accepts taxpayer dollars in return for their chemicals. The questions were not difficult and most would probably agree would be easy to answer. My problem is, they will not respond to my constituents or me. Now some may call that poor customer service, but I consider it to be unacceptable, especially when the documents from the third-party NSF International (one of the groups that gives them the green light to sell their product in our state) says that 47 percent of all batches of fluoride test positive for arsenic.
By the way, the scientific point of safety for the ingestion of arsenic by humans is zero. The failure of a company that does business with Ormond Beach to answer my questions cannot and should not be tolerated by our citizens. We are an informed, smart group of people. Don't tell us, "Oh the water is fine, don't worry about the chemicals you are ingesting."
In the past three years the Centers for Disease Control have changed their stance on infants receiving fluoridated water mixed with their baby formula by issuing a warning to parents, to not give the fluoridated water to their children. Next, they decreased the amount of fluoride to 0.7 mg per liter, when the level used to be as high as 1.2 mg per liter. If there is nothing to hide, then sharing with my constituents and me the impurities that are mixed in with the fluoride should not be a problem. I always hope that my efforts as a public servant open several eyes, a few ears and hopefully some minds.
To all the dog owners who support "doggy dining" and take their dogs on vacation with them: Do they really think these dogs know they are on vacation or out on the town eating dinner at their favorite restaurant? For those who do, it's time to get a reality check.
I'm glad they find comfort in their pets, but get real. I love my dogs and have been a dog owner all my life, but a thrown ball, a run by the river and a belly rub would suit your dog just fine.
This belated note is sent to thank the citizens and members of the Flagler County Sheriff's Department in Palm Coast for their voluntary assistance in getting our car out of a water-logged ditch. We landed there when we attempted to turn it around in our search for my sister-in-law's house among the many streets named "Pine ... etc." A remnant of Hurricane Isaac had obscured vision to the point that we had been unable to follow written directions, and our front-wheel drive was useless in the roadside — which was grass-covered water.
I was preparing to call AAA when a couple of kind citizens, followed soon by two police officers, came to our rescue by providing the push to get us back on dry pavement. They then smiled, waved and took off without waiting for more than a quick "Thank you."
This Florida-born Yankee hopes that those who helped might see a letter in your newspaper, and know how grateful we were for their help. Their actions spoke well for the quality of your community.
I am responding to the letter in The News-Journal dated Sept. 20, titled "Rational case for a vote."
The individual states that he is a Republican who is voting for President Obama. That is his right. However, his reasoning is a bit flawed.
He blames President George W. Bush for the financial meltdown of 2008, caused by the real estate bubble that burst. But Congress was controlled by the Democrats for the last two years of the Bush administration and for the first two years of the Obama administration. The real estate meltdown was caused by the Community Reinvestment Act (of which U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat, was a strong supporter) which basically required banks to make mortgage loans to under-served communities, which included borrowers whose credit did not otherwise qualify them for a conventional mortgage loan. People could get a loan for up to $400,000 with no income verification!
The other example the writer claims is that President Obama has produced 30 months of private-sector job growth. But, each month the average first-time unemployment figures come in at around 375,000 people. Additionally, about 350,000 people stop looking for work, and leave the work force all together. They give up.
On average, President Obama manages to create about 100,000 jobs per month. That looks like a shortfall of about 275,000 jobs each month. So, where is the growth?
Although I feel sorry for "Princess Kate" that she got caught with pictures that were less than discreet, I do wonder at her wisdom.
She is only one of the most photographed women of today's world, and being who she is, the paparazzi will always be looking for a sensational story and racy pictures. Why, knowing this as she must, would she put herself in such a situation?
The paparazzi are everywhere, even in remote places one might feel safe from them. She is a lovely young woman, whom many all over the world look up to. So I would advise her to think twice with her actions.