Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson pays particular attention to children’s health as a family practitioner, and says he’s been concerned by a common issue in his city…
Anderson: “Unfortunately I don’t think that will happen, and as I said I knew it was a hornets’ nest to even step into it because there are people who think that’s a communist plot against humanity or something, but as I said I see so many kids with rotten teeth that don’t need to be there. I do several physicals every week for the dentists who are going to put these kids under general anesthesia for many, many thousands of dollars to fix their teeth. If they would have prevented it in the first place it would have been very helpful.”
Anderson said the City received a request from the Health Foundation to consider fluoridating the water. City Manager Mark Dixson estimated it would cost Soldotna over $1 million.
Anderson: “So I think that’s a dead issue because I don’t think we’re going to be able to spend that money even if I could convince the public that it’s the right thing to do.”