Russell Township Mayor Ken Hill has blasted commercial lawn sprayers for ignoring the municipal anti cosmetic pesticide bylaw, calling them “scoundrels”.
The mayor said it’s “disgusting” that the spraying companies would circumvent the law when they know the intent of council and ratepayers is to ban residential application of all toxic chemicals within the township.
Hill’s attack at a committee of the whole meeting Monday and council’s agreement to make the bylaw tighter drew a round of applause from supporters of the legislation who were present for the decision.
Outside the meeting, Cindy Saucier, who for 20 years has been fighting for an enforceable pesticide ban, said she believed council would do what it promised and plug the loophole in the bylaw which was approved last year.
Saucier is vice-chair of the municipal environmental committee which first proposed the bylaw and requested action on the loophole. Chair is Councillor Lorraine Dicaire who said the time has come to make the flawed bylaw “as perfect as possible”.
The loophole is an infestation clause which permits chemical spraying in emergency circumstances. All summer long, Saucier said sprayers were taking advantage of the clause to claim without evidence infestations of chinch bugs and other pests.
The controversial clause will be removed from the bylaw permanently, or reworked before being reintroduced. In future, there will be no exceptions to the law.
Saucier introduced two experts who addressed health concerns including nervous system damage of chemicals now being sprayed, and cited organic alternatives which are readily available to homeowners and commercial operators alike.
Don King, who runs an organic garden centre in Stittsville, said he has 2,000 satisfied customers who’ve switched to non-toxic pest control alternatives. They cost a little more, they’re a little more effort to use, but they work, King said, adding a healthy lawn shouldn’t require any intervention.
A major concern expressed by Councillor J.P. St. Pierre was that the municipality lacks the capability to enforce its anti pesticides legislation. Township staff agreed, and in a report on the issue, called for training of bylaw officers to allow them to competently deal with infractions.
Hill was relentless in his attack on commercial applicators ignoring the spirit of the bylaw, describing how he watched one technician wander onto neighbouring properties and continue randomly spraying without permission. He observed half jokingly that he wouldn’t be surprised if some tried to spray after snow was on the ground.
“They have no respect for the laws, the people or the environment of this community.” (T.V.D.)
