Should fluoride be removed from Bay Minette’s water supply? That question was debated Tuesday night at city hall. More than 50 people including doctors, dentists and medical professionals packed the city council chambers to talk about the issue. Last October, North Baldwin Utilities announced it would stop adding fluoride to the water system. N-B-U board members gave 20 people three minutes to talk about their decision.

“Please, please, please put fluoride back in the water,” says Bay Minette resident Jamie Tillery. “Our children need the protection, please do the right thing.”

“Numerous medical organizations and groups endorse fluoride in the water,” says Doctor David Tillery. Tillery has been a Bay Minette dentist for more than 25 years. “Medical evidence and studies show that fluoride is healthy and is not a hazard.”

Out of the 20 people who signed up to speak, only four people were in favor of eliminating fluoride.

“We want to give everybody a chance to talk about the issue and to voice their concerns,” says Jason Padgett. Padgett is the general manager of North Baldwin Utilities. “But I’m standing by the board’s decision to take it out of the water. As it stands, the fluoride will be removed.”

Padgett says the last fluoride supply will be out of the water by mid-February.

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