Mayor Clarifies City's Position On Pesticide Use

18/07/2008 03:44
Don

I need to add some information to the pesticide matter.

I am on a committee for the Capital Region to provide direction to the 25 municipalities in the region relative to GIS information. What this is intended to do is to set direction for the region for many matters of public interest.

Let me explain.

I anticipate in the future that there will be numerous public safety and service issues that will be better accessed by the internet. Imagine "Global Earth" or local or regional "GIS" with all information loaded on it of pesticide location application, location of ambulances, location of buses, snow plow work, or simple matters as to where the road closures are. We are bombarded with ideas (and requests) to post information on everything from fire hydrant location to street pothole locations. Our website is averaging 1,100 hits per day with one of the highest hit categories bus service.

So, we are setting direction for these GIS related matters and are working with all the municipalities on direction, priorities, staffing, funding, technical stuff etc. What is being asked for a lot is public safety information (this is when the pesticide question comes up). But the question is also broader than just St. Albert. Now, I do not want to miss the point being made by the letters to you- "we need something for St. Albert", but I must also say that there are many many requests for posting of public safety information and public service requests requested to be posted. We are getting to these requests.

In the mean time, we are also reducing the pesticide use and are down to about 10-20% of the usage some 5 years ago or so. I dont have the exact data with me but I scanned that chart and emailed it to you the other day.

There is lots to do in the public health and safety arena that can be done,

Regards,

Nolan Crouse
Mayor

SINC SAYS:

Thanks for the additional information Mr. Mayor. The chart the mayor refers to is pictured to the left.

READER RESPONSE:

Mr. Mayor, we can not afford to wait for the region to get their act together on herbicides which are currently  poisoning  local edible, healthy, "organic" foods within our community. They are abundant right now.  Today!  Is there nobody in Public Works who could sit down with me for 5 minutes and help me mark my own city map with the most dangerous "spot" sprayed areas which we should avoid?  I would consider those 5 minutes part of the superior service my high taxes entitle me to.
 
Our current problem  has  nothing to do with what the entire region intends to come up with eventually to deal with all kinds of safety issues.  Some people actually supplement their food supply by gathering what grows "wild",  like they have done for ever and ever. But no longer  in the City of St.Albert which according to your website  "is committed to the maintenance of a clean, healthy environment"!  
 
I would like to see the pesticide use chart for this year!
 
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert