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Weddington council declines to pursue fluoride‑removal resolution after public input
Summary
After lengthy public comment largely favoring fluoridation, the Weddington Town Council heard reports on a regional request to consider removing fluoride from public water systems but made no motion—effectively leaving the issue without action.
The Weddington Town Council on May 11 discussed a request from neighboring towns to consider a resolution to remove fluoride from local public water systems but took no motion, leaving the matter without formal action.
Council member Tom, the town’s representative to the Western Union Municipal Alliance (WUMA), said the item was placed on the agenda after WUMA towns asked member municipalities to consider a similar resolution brought forward by the town of Marvin. Tom summarized outreach and said the informal tally of residents who responded leaned toward keeping fluoride: roughly two‑thirds favored the status quo while about a third favored removal. He told the council that the town sought input from residents before deciding whether to adopt any resolution.
During public comment, several residents urged the council to retain fluoridation. Sarah Jewel, speaking during the comment period, described fluoride as a long‑established public health measure and urged the council to adopt a resolution in favor of keeping fluoride in the water. Pediatric dentist Dr. Margaret Locklear told the council she sees children and adults who rely on fluoridated water to prevent cavities and said recent studies cited online do not reflect U.S. fluoridation levels; she urged the council to consider the community members who cannot afford regular dental care.
After discussion, no member made a motion to adopt a resolution either for or against removing fluoride. The mayor said the subject would "die here at the table" without a motion and the council moved on to other business.
Because decisions about fluoridation in parts of the county are tied to the regional water systems that supply Weddington, council members noted they were seeking public input rather than asserting that the town alone can control fluoridation across the entire service area.
