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The Question is not Pests or Pesticides

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Dear Steve,

Your approach is very sensible.  But will it satisfy the politicians who want the voters to see that they are doing something about the problem?  They say Jimmy Carter lost his reelection because he asked the people to take responsibility instead of saying "I'll fix things."  It will take political courage to say, "The spraying we told you was 'safe' last year made lots of people sick, so this year, instead of spraying, we're asking you you to get rid of standing water and to put your own vegetable oil or soap into any you can't get rid of."  Do we have political leaders with courage?

Lawrence A. Plumlee, M.D.  

_________

Dear Doctor,

In the hands of a skilled politician anything is possible.  I am sure "they' can hire people, put the new environmental workers in "uniform", and create a lot of favorable press coverage about their environmental "compromise" and then have the environmental crew empty, drain or "treat" any standing water.  This could be even be jobbed out to the sanitation department as they pick up the trash - using only one additional environmental worker per truck.  It would create great public relations for everyone.  In addition it would save our environment, safely and effectively stop the pest problem and save the city a lot of money.  The Mayor would be a hero and maybe even defeat Hillary.

I have never heard any true politician say that "they' had ever made a mistake in the past. The spin doctors could handle this "new idea' quite easily.  I say "new", because Dr. John Snow used preventative medicine and cured a great cholera outbreak in London about 160 years ago by simply removing the pump handle from the contaminated well on Broad Street.

Thanks for caring, Steve

Dear Mr. Tvedten:

How are you?  My name is Tina Williams.  We lost our home and health to a Dursban poisoning on Long Island.  The Company that poisoned my family and was later fined by the NYDEC was hired to do the ground spraying for the five boroughs last Fall.  This company couldn't even handle a routine termite treatment and has other "Negligence" lawsuits against them, yet city officials found it necessary to give them $300,000 plus (???) to poison the public!!!  My FOIL to the City as to "how, why and who" did this hiring still remains unanswered. I guess it was a WHO you knew game not WHAT you know!!!  

I don't know why the City needs ads in the paper---Pelican Pest Control has plenty of "trained fools" to follow through with the poison campaign.  I think Guiliani should try on a backpak sprayer and take care of the mosquito problem himself---ha,ha.  

Thank you for your continuous supply of excellent information.  It is greatly appreciated!!!!!  Have a good day!!!  

Steve:

There is a NY State law preventing the 33% DEET being used on children.  Assemblyman Brodsky was incensed that the police and DOH was spraying the kids with this DEET. They broke too many laws. You are right. God forbid we did half of what they did. We would be in Federal lock up.

Joyce Shepard, CSW

Stephen, Why don't you write a letter to the NY Times with the information in this letter. It needs wider circulation than your e-mail correspondents.  With us, you're tell the "converted". Too many people believe the mayor's propaganda.

Pamela

Dear Pamela, I sent this e-mail to Kimberly Flynn to give out to the press this morning..  I have forwarded your letter to Linda and Kimberly for posting and/or comments.  You have my permission to send it to anyone you wish.  Steve

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