CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — With Jon Calvert’s election to the Clarksburg Water Board, the three-member panel’s split decision to stop buying fluoride will likely be reversed, both sides agree.
Meanwhile, the water board’s other split decision — to remove three of its dams — remains as murky as the West Fork River, despite Calvert’s preference for keeping the structures in place.
Calvert collected 913 votes in Tuesday’s election to claim the seat being vacated by Charlie Thayer, according to unofficial results.
Allen Gorrell finished second in the race with 817 votes, while Frank Robinette came in third with 524 votes, according to the results.
“I’m happy that all my supporters showed up at the polls like I knew they would, especially the teachers,” said Calvert, an educator. “I worked really hard, and I think the hard work paid off.”
Regarding fluoride, all three candidates spoke out against the board’s April 28 decision to stop purchasing the substance.
Thayer and board member Paul Howe voted to stop buying fluoride over concerns that longtime consumption of fluoride could be harmful to people’s health.
Board President Al Cox voted against the move based on several public health agencies’ contention that fluoride is good for people’s teeth and not harmful to their health…
