TOWN OF FAIRFAX
142 BOLINAS ROAD. FAIRFAX, CALIFORNIA 94930
(415) 453-1584 / FAX (415) 453-1618

Mayor

Mike Ghiringhelli

Council

Susan Brandborg

Niccolo Caldararo

Frank Egger

Lew Tremaine

PRESS RELEASE

May 16, 2001

As a result of a special meeting of the Fairfax Town Council held on May 15, 2001, and in response to a recent letter from the State Department of Pesticide Regulation requesting the Town to repeal ordinance No. 686, which requires neighborhood notification of pesticide use on private property, the Council announced that they intend to defend the provisions of the ordinance against the challenge by the Slate and its allies in the pesticide industry. The Town Council feels strongly that the main provision of the ordinance, which is basically a right to know good neighbor notification policy when pesticides are to be used, is not preempted by State Law. Furthermore, the state has challenged our authority to prohibit the use of pesticides on the Town's public parks and fights of way by ordinance. The Town will defend Ordinance 686 against the challenge brought by the State, and the attorney representing the Pest Control Operators of California, Inc

The Town Council intends to establish a Legal Defense Fund in the near future where tax deductible contributions can be made to assist the Town in its defense against the State's attack on Ordinance 686. Further information on this will soon be announced.

Judy Anderson, Fairfax Town Clerk