City Council Discusses Ukraine Mural & Fluoride in Water

City of Wilmington Municipal Building

At the April 17th, 2025 Wilmington Public Workshop and City Council meetings, officials discussed the old Ukraine mural that was on the city building and fluoride in the city’s water. 

Former Wilmington Mayor from 2012–2015, Randy Riley (R) shared the history of the old Ukraine mural. According to Riley, 12 years ago a former health commissioner connected Riley to the ‘Sister City Program’. This led to seven Ukrainians visiting Wilmington to learn how a small city operates, and then Riley visiting the Ukraine (funded by the program). The mural was put on the city building because of this program. According to Riley, no city money was sent to Ukraine, only donations from locals.

Both Riley and Councilman Kelly Tolliver (R) shared opposing views regarding the old mural. Tolliver stated, “I think a lot of people in the public found that those murals weren’t representing just ‘well-being’... I think they’re looking at the war.” Riley countered, “I was here when those murals were put up. It had nothing to do with supporting either side in the war.” Tolliver disagreed, citing a 2022 Wilmington News Journal article where another former mayor from 2016–2023, John Stanforth (R), read a proclamation for “solidarity with the people of Ukraine”. Tolliver continued to say that the United States “created this problem” and claimed that they did so by “overthrowing Ukraine’s government”, “laundering money”, and building biolabs near the Russian border. Riley stood his ground in support of the sister city program by stating that individuals can “think whatever [they] want” and expressed, “I was very disappointed when the murals went down in the front on the windows.” 

Later in the meeting, Tolliver also brought forth a resolution that would declare support for state legislation proposing to end water fluoridization. He cited studies claiming fluoride decreased IQ, caused brain damage in animals, and fetal brain damage in China. In response, Councilman Bob Osborn (R) cited a metadata analysis that claimed over 50 of the 77 reports Tolliver was referring to were deemed to have a possibility of bias. After the discussion, Council President Matthew Purkey (R) mentioned a “nonbinding referendum” from 2016 where residents voted 56–44 percent to add fluoride. According to a Wilmington Water Department employee, the city would not be able to stop adding fluoride or repurpose the facility without EPA approval, which would be a “lengthy process.” The naturally occurring content of fluoride in Wilmington’s water is 0.2 and it is treated to roughly 0.9.  

After discussion, council, including Purkey, voted four-to-three to deny a motion for a first reading of Tolliver’s resolution in support of state legislation proposing to end water fluoridization. Learn more about city council and public meetings at wilmingtonohio.gov.