Thank you Mrs. Watson for your well-informed letter to the editor about fluoride. According to the poll taken by this paper the other day, again the majority of the people in Grand Island realize the evils of putting medication in the water and are against it. It certainly seems like after being voted out two maybe three times that we should not have to fight this battle again. I think it's a shame that we have such a backward system that instead of whomever wants to put in something like this fighting long and hard and getting a vote of the people before doing so, that we the people have to fight long and hard to get it taken out or get a petition and vote to keep it out.

Putting fluoride in the water is just another government ploy to convince people this would be good for them when, in fact, it's just another way to get rid of waste products. We have enough water problems in Grand Island without adding even more toxins. Be assured, fluoride is a waste product that requires costly disposal in a toxic waste site. Is this what you want to drink?

Read again Mrs. Watson's letter, March 28, and see the web sites Citizens for Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Action Network.

Judy Ruzicka

1104 East Bismark Road

Child Abuse Prevention conference planned

It is becoming well known that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is also fairly well known the Grand Island Association for Child Abuse Prevention encourages everyone to wear a blue ribbon this month or any month to remind us child abuse and neglect and caring for our children should be the concern of every citizen.

For the second year as a part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, ACAP is sponsoring a FREE conference, "Celebrate Parents!" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, Central Community College in Grand Island. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Financial support for this year's conference has been provided by a Venture Grant from the Heartland United Way and from a grant from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.

Informing and supporting parents in the most important job they will ever have is one of the best ways to prevent child abuse and neglect. Parents, foster or adoptive parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors and anyone who has the responsibility for nurturing our children is welcome to attend this conference. People who register before 11 a.m., will be provided with a free lunch.

Sessions provided by local and area therapists, educators, physicians and other professionals will begin at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 2 p.m. An introductory entertaining and informative session, "Secrets of Successful Families," will be presented at 9 a.m. by local therapist John Flaherty.

Sample session topics include: "Bedtime and Feeding Issues" (Birth to age 5); "Working with Schools" (Elementary); "Surviving and Thriving During the Middle School Years" (Middle School); "Parenting Your Teen" (High School), and; "Empowering Fathers" (All ages). During the day, four or five topics will be presented for each age group.

Questions about the conference may be directed to me at 381-4444.

Everyone can prevent child abuse. Learning to be a good parent and caregiver is a very good first step! Investments of time, effort and caring at early ages result in rewards as the years pass. Please wear a blue ribbon this month as a reminder that all children deserve blue ribbons and that all of us can prevent child abuse. Please remember that even the smallest effort can bring big rewards and can make a difference in the life of a child.

Dori Bush, Conference Chairperson

2508 Stagecoach Road