To the Editor,

Re: Pesticide restriction pondered, Sept. 30.

Yes, we are in the silly season again with everyone getting on the politically correct environment bandwagon.

Our latest installment is the proposed ban on cosmetic pesticides.

It sounds nice and easy and makes us feel warm and fuzzy.

Once again we get intimidated into the enviro-politics of scare mongering with anecdotal armchair science, which is hopelessly biased.

This is a wave of enviro-correctness with the notion of shaming communities to adopt this ban without really looking at the facts or consequences.

The off-the-shelf pesticides/herbicides have been around for a longtime, some more than 100 years as in the case of sulphur-based products.

They have been studied to death, over and over again and proved to be safe to use if used in moderation.

The fact is more soil has been contaminated by natural manure than any source – be it a farmer’s field or our medieval septic systems.

This ban is only for residential applications, not agriculture, and it is a drop in the bucket as far as usage goes.

Residential pesticides/ herbicides are low dosage products that break down in the soil in a matter of days.

John Goodly

Nanaimo

Toxic chemicals endanger everything

To the Editor,

Re: Toughen up pesticide ban, Sept. 30

Pesticide Abatement Nanaimo fully supports the editorial regarding the proposed city bylaw banning pesticides not only on residential property, but on public areas as well.

Education of the public on this issue is recognized as an essential priority. Pesticide Abatement Nanaimo has supported the Canadian Cancer Society’s initiative in circulating a petition to council for a restraining bylaw, and a public education program.

The city is on the right course. Toxic pesticides endanger not only human beings, but also animals and plants which keep our environment safe, viable and sustainable.

We know enough to proceed to keep it that way.

Council is strategically placed to be a role model by discontinuing the use of toxic pesticides on gardens, lawns, playgrounds and parks.

There are other methods of pest control that do not endanger our children, adults, pets, bees, fish and other wildlife. Delay in curbing toxic pesticide use is costing human lives and threatening the ecological integrity of our planet.

Kelly Franklin

Nanaimo

Criminal code charge must be pursued

To the Editor,

Re: Fine not enough, dog owner says, Oct. 2.

Apparently leaving the scene of an accident is no longer a criminal code offence.

For RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien to suggest “with a criminal code charge the jeopardy is much higher” in a case where the accused actually stopped, then left the scene is absolutely ludicrous.

Something is missing here.

If the facts are true as have been presented in the media, certain RCMP members should be forced to resign or sent for retraining at minimum.

Maybe O’Brien can take some time and clarify.

Rick Petryshen

Nanaimo

B.C. justice system sending poor message

To the Editor,

Re: Fine not enough, dog owner says, Oct. 2.

The driver of the car that killed a family pet on Northfield Road was fined $360. Points were taken from the driver’s licence.

The three guys accused of beating a man to death in a bar in downtown Nanaimo are back on the street without a fine or a blemish to their characters.

The B.C. justice system is sending us a message.

Next time a car driver zooms over a rise and is confronted with a human and a dog on a crosswalk – take out the human.

Getting away with doing a crime used to be called going ‘scot free’. Not now.

Every criminal wishes they were a B.C.’er so they could go ‘B.C. free.’

Dave Toynbee

Nanaimo

Remove the hurdles

to recruit new doctors

To the Editor,

Re: Health care needs surgery, Sept. 27.

As the wife of a U.K. doctor recently moved to Canada, all I can say is you don’t know the half.

If the aim is recruitment and retention, remove the hurdles.

Alyson Potts

via e-mail