Fluoridation race a nail-biter; real-estate excise tax trailing

A measure to add fluoride to the drinking water of nearly 90,000 Bellingham residents was leading by a slim margin Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, a measure in Clallam County to impose a real-estate excise tax was failing soundly.

In Bellingham, the contentious issue set spending records in the city. The group Families for Fluoride raised nearly $260,0000 to push its case that fluoride would help battle tooth decay.

The issue grew from concern by a group of dentists and doctors who became alarmed about tooth decay in Bellingham; nearly one-quarter of third-graders there have seven or more cavities, a rate three times higher than in King County. Most American cities, including Seattle, fluoridate their water.

Critics cited studies that said adding fluoride to water poses health risks. A group called Citizens Against Forced Fluoride planted lawn signs illustrated with a skull and crossbones.

In Clallam County, a proposal to add a 0.5 percent excise tax on each real-estate sale to raise money to help protect disappearing farmland was failing by a wide margin in early returns.

Real-estate agents raised nearly $144,000 to try to defeat it. They said it would hit low-income people and discourage home ownership. They worry the tax could spread if it were to take root in Clallam County.

But supporters said it was the only way to generate significant money to protect farmland from development. The Sequim Prairie once led Western Washington in alfalfa hay production.

In the state's only legislative race this election, Rep. Dean Takko, D-Kelso, appears to have fended off a challenge by Republican Dawn Courtney, a local businesswoman.

Takko was appointed to the 19th District seat this year when Rep. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, resigned to take a job with Lt. Gov. Brad Owen.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com