Fairfax prepares for court
Announcing Fairfax's right-to-know legal defense fund
Fairfax prepares for court
By Rebecca Rosen Lum - Marin Independent Journal
Flanked by supporters from statewide environmental groups and others, Fairfax Councilman Frank Egger announced plans yesterday to fight a state legal challenge to the town's neighbor notification policy on pesticide use.
"This is historic, landmark legislation," Egger said at a late-morning press conference outside Fairfax Town Hall, where some people gathered with signs reading, "Just say 'yes' to local pesticide control."
The ordinance, which was passed in February and took effect in April, bans town use of pesticides and requires residents to notify neighbors within a 150-foot radius 48 hours in advance of outdoor spraying.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation slapped the Fairfax Town Council with a letter last month demanding it rescind the ordinance or be sued. Councilman Lew Tremaine said the town would mount an aggressive legal defense against the state, "but not on the taxpayer's dime."
"Today we are launching an initiative we call Fairfax's right-to-know legal defense fund," Tremaine said. "It's ridiculous for the state to step in, especially since they're not stepping forward to defend its citizens."
Tremaine quoted two lines from a song by Don Henley: "We will not go quietly/We will not lie down."
"As for the pesticide industry puppets in Sacramento, I say, 'Gentlemen, we have a date with the mat, and we will meet you there,'" Tremaine added.
Sebastopol Mayor Jim Robinson attended yesterday's press conference and said his Sonoma County town plans to pass a similar ordinance in the coming months.
"This is not an isolated event," Robinson said. "This is part of a growing movement around the world. When companies would poison us for profit, it's time for local jurisdictions to take a stand."
Kelly Campbell of the 150-group coalition Californians Against Pesticides, Sebastopol City Councilman Sam Spooner and Virginia Soulders-Mason of Marin Beyond Pesticides, a coalition of about 40 groups, also addressed the crowd.
"Mr. Helliker, you've got it all wrong," Soulders-Mason said, referring to Paul Helliker, director of the state Department of Pesticide Regulation. "We have the right to know."
Spooner said a recent survey of Sebastopol residents showed that they approve of an ordinance such as the one in Fairfax by a 10-1 ratio.
He also predicted other localities would follow suit.
As for the legal defense fund, Egger kicked off the local effort by tossing in a $100 check.
The fund-raising goal for the defense fund is $25,000 - enough to carry the town through one appeal.
"It's enough to show the state we're serious," Egger said. "We know they'll up the ante, and we know we'll have to raise more money later."
Original published: http://www.marinij.com/news/stories/index5001796.html