Portland Mayor Sam Adams on Friday said he's willing to buck voters' historical wishes and will support adding fluoride to the city's water supply.

ensures the Portland City Council will approve a fluoridation vote, expected in September. He joined commissioners Randy Leonard and Nick Fish in their endorsement to

, not only in Portland but also Gresham, Tigard and Tualatin.

Portland is the largest city in the country that hasn't taken steps to add fluoride to its water.

"This is not an area where Portland should stand up proudly and say, 'Look at us, we're unique,'" Adams said. "We are incredibly late to this game."

Water officials said

, although it could potentially be done in three years.

Adams, who along with Leonard is leaving office at year's end, said he's not fazed by voters' historic or current opposition to fluoride.

Three times, voters have shot down fluoride, first in 1956 with 58 percent of the vote and in 1962 with 69 percent. In 1978, 51 percent of voters changed their minds and supported fluoridation but in 1980 they flip-flopped against, with 54 percent.

Adams said opposition can always mount a referendum effort, which would require 19,858 valid signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

"I feel absolutely comfortable making the decision," he said.

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