I knew it was too good to be true, an aromatic autumn. And it was. On Wednesday, the scent of Shorewood changed. I received this message from Carol K:
“Workers from a private company (KEI) were out at 10:00 am this morning applying weed killer to ALL grassy areas of River Park (west end of Edgewood Ave.). Soccer fields included. I was cutting through River Park from the bike trail and could smell it in the air… Apparently it is one of two applications that the village of Shorewood has hired the contractor to do in a year. One of them being in September (the middle of soccer season!). Soccer practices are scheduled there every weekday (including today!!!), with games on Saturdays and Sundays. Not good for our kids, our families, our dogs…Can you help get the word out?”
I got the word out to my
Grass Roots list and included the Email for the Dept of Public Works: dpw@villageofshorewood.org in case someone was unhappy about inhaling poison and wanted to complain. I then received messages about pesticide signs in Atwater Park and on Wilson Drive and a strong smell of pesticides along the bike path, and immediately sent another Email to Grass Roots and to the DPW which included a link to
the Beyond Pesticides risk list.I also included
this article: (Beyond Pesticides, September 27, 2007) In a call for sweeping reform in Canada, the Ontario Liberal Party, lead by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, has called for the banning ban of all cosmetic use of pesticides across the province as part of their commitment to healthier Ontario families. Twenty five municipalities, covering about 30 per cent of the province, have already introduced local bans or restrictions on the cosmetic use of pesticides, those typically used on lawns and landscapes. Just as the Ontario Liberals replaced a patchwork of local bylaws when they banned smoking provincewide, this new pesticide and herbicide ban would create a single, comprehensive law for all Ontario communities. “There is growing concern about the potential harmful effects of these products on human health,” Mr. McGuinty said. “When there is such widespread concern, why would we take a chance with our health, and our children’s health, just for the sake of a few dandelions, or a bit of crabgrass?”
