Clean Water Potsdam

28/06/2021

Local history we all need to know.
Government funded so a little bit sanitized, but all the basic facts are in there about the project, including mention of the PCBs, mercury, lead and other pollutants they/we are still struggling with.
(Video, 6 min.)

09/08/2019

Yet more issues with fluorinated compounds. Cooking with fluoridated water and then using these bowls? This is a toxic load for us and the environment..

Plant-based bowls contain troubling "forever chemicals," even when they're certified compostable. It gets worse from there.

31/07/2019

New York just proposed new drinking water standards for the toxic chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water.
A 60-day comment period began on July 24 to hear from the public on how to best keep our water clean and safe to drink. Click to send your comment: https://p2a.co/PNvira8

The comment period for Emerging Contaminants is now open! Submit a public comment to protect your drinking water against chemicals such as

14/10/2018

A list of filters vetted to remove the ingestion of Fluoride (from drinking water and/or bathing water, since your skin is the largest organ in your body and transmits chemicals to your blood supply.) If you want to remove the municipal fluoride injected into our home (and business) water supply in the Village, here are some options. None of them cheap, of course.
Note that the use of Fluoride topically (toothpaste, swishing, etc.) is different than ingesting it and running it through your organs and soft tissues, as well as it sequestering to your bones, which can make them more brittle, especially as you age.

Find the right filter for your water - and budget.

09/10/2018

Last month, all but one Trustee voted to continue fluoridating our water supply, and they will be rebuilding the system to do so. The medical establishment came out in force, based not on scientific inquiry and analysis but on convention and authority. As well as a misguided attempt to make this an issue "to help the disadvantaged" - which the Keep Smiling Potsdam plan does far more effectively, and gave us a sardonic chuckle here, since we far more represent the "disadvantaged" than any of them. This once progressive community has left us in wonderment - though in fairness, it was the decision of four uninformed and conventional Trustees that did this deed, not the citizenry. Steve Warr was the only Trustee to vote against it. The Mayor and other three Trustees said, essentially, they trust the authorities. A sad day for Potsdam. The mayor won't consider the plan presented here until the contracts are signed for the upgrade to the fluoride system. Somehow we wonder if it will even be seriously considered then.

16/09/2018

:-) ... KEEP POTSDAM SMILING! ... :-)
A new proposal for the municipal Fluoride issue!
The Village vote is Mon. 9/17 at 6 pm (see "update" at the end of this post for details.)

“Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity”
A proposal made at the Potsdam Village Public Hearing on Fluoride, September 4, 2018:

We wish to help by offering a simple and elegant solution to replace the antiquated model of compulsory fluoridation with a new plan that represents views of a more creative and democratic society. By contrast this new plan is more diverse, more inclusive, more environmentally friendly, and more effectively addresses all the multiple and salient viewpoints of local discussions about water fluoridation.

5 Key Points:
- #1 Identification
Identify disadvantaged children and their families who don't have access to prevent tooth decay by using the same process the current free school lunch program does: A simple way to identify families in need, this can extend the benefits to the entire Town, not just the Village.

- #2 Distribution
Make freely available: toothpaste with fluoride (topical use), and fluoridated water and/or tablets (internal use) that the American Dental Association provides a standard dosing schedule for. This ensures those qualifying children/families who “choose” to, will actually have “clear and direct access” to a “variety” of approved dental health items with a level of accountability that currently doesn’t exist: meaning we can't know how much water (in favor of soda, milk, etc) is actually being ingested by anyone to begin with. A dosing schedule is more precise and with direct application it’s smarter - farther reaching – more cost effective, compared to rebuilding, and then supporting, an infrastructure where millions of gallons of fluoride-infused water are flushed down the toilet and sink drains daily, completely missing the mark of ever being used for dental care. Literally: Money down the drain with no gain.

- #3 Bonus
Provide a toothbrush along with a brief tutorial of best practices for brushing, to really bring home the importance of dental health to disadvantaged families. The single practice of fluoridating the water supply has never ensured people actually have, or use, a toothbrush, again missing a vitally important benefit to sound dental hygiene. Also consider: the County is planning a fluoride varnish program and Potsdam could lead this initiative, adding to the list of
benefits available to citizens who desire them.

- #4 Implementation
Staff it as a pilot program by allowing proactive volunteers willing to share all the benefits of fluoride with these families. What a fantastic way to educate and promote community involvement from enthusiastic supporters, while being sensitive to the needs of those who don’t want it, don’t need it, or whose health may actually be impacted by this exposure, which is also a liability to the Village. Dental and health professionals working together, likely with donations from dental suppliers, can help make it a very successful campaign and reap the marvelous PR, thus promoting their cause, their business and their special interest in oral health and how they’ve used this to help their local community. As a sound model, it should easily be able to stand on its own without the need to be artificially propped up like the current model.

- #5 Adoption
Potsdam can champion a win-win for all with adoption of this viable and creative solution which “deflates the debates” by supporting multiple viewpoints to achieve each side’s goals, and to help solve a heartbreaking problem rather than let it divide. Please consider this plan which is a reflection of everyone’s thoughtful concerns and a solution that addresses them in a very positive way.

Presented by Jerry Bartlett to the Village of Potsdam Trustees.

UPDATE: A full Prospectus has been delivered by hand and by email to every Trustee and Village official, it is a draft "business plan' in essence, for their consideration. Please come to the Village Board meeting at 6 pm on Monday 9/17, at the Village offices next to the Library.
Share your views (3 minute limit, must be respectful and address the Board only, not the audience) - please support the "Keep Potsdam Smiling" plan!

16/09/2018

VILLAGE VOTES Mon 6 pm
Please be there!
Support the 'Keep Potsdam Smiling' plan posted at Clean Water Potsdam!

11/09/2018

09/09/2018

“Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity”
A proposal made at the Potsdam Village Public Hearing on Fluoride, September 4, 2018:

We wish to help by offering a simple and elegant solution to replace the antiquated model of compulsory fluoridation with a new plan that represents views of a more creative and democratic society. By contrast this new plan is more diverse, more inclusive, more environmentally friendly, and more effectively addresses all the multiple and salient viewpoints of local discussions about water fluoridation.

5 Key Points:
- #1 Identification
Identify disadvantaged children and their families who don't have access to prevent tooth decay by using the same process the current free school lunch program does: A simple way to identify families in need, this can extend the benefits to the entire Town, not just the Village.

- #2 Distribution
Make freely available: toothpaste with fluoride (topical use), and fluoridated water and/or tablets (internal use) that the American Dental Association provides a standard dosing schedule for. This ensures those qualifying children/families who “choose” to, will actually have “clear and direct access” to a “variety” of approved dental health items with a level of accountability that currently doesn’t exist: meaning we can't know how much water (in favor of soda, milk, etc) is actually being ingested by anyone to begin with. A dosing schedule is more precise and with direct application it’s smarter - farther reaching – more cost effective, compared to rebuilding, and then supporting, an infrastructure where millions of gallons of fluoride-infused water are flushed down the toilet and sink drains daily, completely missing the mark of ever being used for dental care. Literally: Money down the drain with no gain.

- #3 Bonus
Provide a toothbrush along with a brief tutorial of best practices for brushing, to really bring home the importance of dental health to disadvantaged families. The single practice of fluoridating the water supply has never ensured people actually have, or use, a toothbrush, again missing a vitally important benefit to sound dental hygiene. Also consider: the County is planning a fluoride varnish program and Potsdam could lead this initiative, adding to the list of
benefits available to citizens who desire them.

- #4 Implementation
Staff it as a pilot program by allowing proactive volunteers willing to share all the benefits of fluoride with these families. What a fantastic way to educate and promote community involvement from enthusiastic supporters, while being sensitive to the needs of those who don’t want it, don’t need it, or whose health may actually be impacted by this exposure, which is also a liability to the Village. Dental and health professionals working together, likely with donations from dental suppliers, can help make it a very successful campaign and reap the marvelous PR, thus promoting their cause, their business and their special interest in oral health and how they’ve used this to help their local community. As a sound model, it should easily be able to stand on its own without the need to be artificially propped up like the current model.

- #5 Adoption
Potsdam can champion a win-win for all with adoption of this viable and creative solution which “deflates the debates” by supporting multiple viewpoints to achieve each side’s goals, and to help solve a heartbreaking problem rather than let it divide. Please consider this plan which is a reflection of everyone’s thoughtful concerns and a solution that addresses them in a very positive way.

Presented by Jerry Bartlett to the Village of Potsdam Trustees.

UPDATE: A full Prospectus has been delivered by hand and by email to every Trustee and Village official, it is a draft "business plan' in essence, for their consideration. Please come to the Village Board meeting at 6 pm on Monday 9/17 and share your views (3 minute limit, must be respectful and address the Board only, not the audience) - please support the "Keep Potsdam Smiling" plan!

06/09/2018

Here is a link to videos for all of the public meetings that have occurred in Potsdam regarding Fluoride these past weeks.

06/09/2018

Village of Potsdam
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2017

06/09/2018

“Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity”
A proposal made at the Potsdam Village Public Hearing on Fluoride, September 4, 2018:

We wish to help by offering a simple and elegant solution to replace the antiquated model of compulsory fluoridation with a new plan that represents views of a more creative and democratic society. By contrast this new plan is more diverse, more inclusive, more environmentally friendly, and more effectively addresses all the multiple and salient viewpoints of local discussions about water fluoridation.

5 Key Points:
- #1 Identification
Identify disadvantaged children and their families who don't have access to prevent tooth decay by using the same process the current free school lunch program does: A simple way to identify families in need, this can extend the benefits to the entire Town, not just the Village.

- #2 Distribution
Make freely available: toothpaste with fluoride (topical use), and fluoridated water and/or tablets (internal use) that the American Dental Association provides a standard dosing schedule for. This ensures those qualifying children/families who “choose” to, will actually have “clear and direct access” to a “variety” of approved dental health items with a level of accountability that currently doesn’t exist: meaning we can't know how much water (in favor of soda, milk, etc) is actually being ingested by anyone to begin with. A dosing schedule is more precise and with direct application it’s smarter - farther reaching – more cost effective, compared to rebuilding, and then supporting, an infrastructure where millions of gallons of fluoride-infused water are flushed down the toilet and sink drains daily, completely missing the mark of ever being used for dental care. Literally: Money down the drain with no gain.

- #3 Bonus
Provide a toothbrush along with a brief tutorial of best practices for brushing, to really bring home the importance of dental health to disadvantaged families. The single practice of fluoridating the water supply has never ensured people actually have, or use, a toothbrush, again missing a vitally important benefit to sound dental hygiene. Also consider: the County is planning a fluoride varnish program and Potsdam could lead this initiative, adding to the list of
benefits available to citizens who desire them.

- #4 Implementation
Staff it as a pilot program by allowing proactive volunteers willing to share all the benefits of fluoride with these families. What a fantastic way to educate and promote community involvement from enthusiastic supporters, while being sensitive to the needs of those who don’t want it, don’t need it, or whose health may actually be impacted by this exposure, which is also a liability to the Village. Dental and health professionals working together, likely with donations from dental suppliers, can help make it a very successful campaign and reap the marvelous PR, thus promoting their cause, their business and their special interest in oral health and how they’ve used this to help their local community. As a sound model, it should easily be able to stand on its own without the need to be artificially propped up like the current model.

- #5 Adoption
Potsdam can champion a win-win for all with adoption of this viable and creative solution which “deflates the debates” by supporting multiple viewpoints to achieve each side’s goals, and to help solve a heartbreaking problem rather than let it divide. Please consider this plan which is a reflection of everyone’s thoughtful concerns and a solution that addresses them in a very positive way.

Presented by Jerry Bartlett to the Village of Potsdam Trustees.