In light of the coverage Winter Haven’s decision to remove fluoride from its drinking water has received, I feel compelled to explain things which have been missing in the public discussion, and to provide context to the City Commission’s decision to do so.

This matter began in February as a citizen initiative. Over the course of more than half a year, multiple public meetings were held that provided all persons an opportunity to voice their opinions. After these meetings, the matter was scheduled for a vote in October, long before the national elections were held, but, unfortunately, it was delayed, which caused it to occur soon after a national election and after President-elect Trump had selected Robert Kennedy, Jr. as his nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services.

Because of Mr. Kennedy’s concern over fluoride being added to public drinking water, a concern that received a great deal of coverage from national media, it created a perception that Winter Haven made its decision because of Mr. Kennedy’s concerns, which it didn’t. Instead, it was a decision made after numerous public hearings, including a three-hour meeting on the evening of the vote.

After more public testimony and before the vote of the commission, commissioners were given an opportunity to explain their vote, which is our practice. During my remarks, I made many points and only briefly mentioned that Kennedy had tweeted about the issue the day before.

I also said jokingly that Mr. Kennedy planned on making this the law of the land and that we might as well get ahead of it and vote for it. It was a tongue in cheek comment, nothing more and nothing less, yet many took it to be the primary driver of the commission’s decision, when it wasn’t.

Is the matter over? Probably not.

The EPA is studying the issue to determine if fluoride in the gut is harmful. Nobody, including me, has an issue with fluoride on teeth, but many, including me, have issues with fluoride in one’s gut. However, if the EPA comes back and says it is not harmful, I suspect that Winter Haven will reconsider the issue, although I do not know how my fellow commissioners feel.

Regardless, I went on to suggest in my comments that the $48,000 we spend on fluoridation could be donated to local charities that provide dental care to citizens and money to buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, fluoride mouthwash, and anything else dentists might feel appropriate since, again, fluoride on teeth is not the issue.

Original article online at: https://www.theledger.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/11/24/winter-haven-commissioner-fluoride-was-discussed-for-months/76476308007/