Park Cities Tell Mosquitos to Buzz Off
Both Highland Park and University Park took time to address mosquito issues in their respective Public Safety and City Council meetings yesterday.
A “Fight the Bite” campaign is planned for both municipalities; University Park will begin in mid-March with door hangers featuring anti-mosquito tips. A PSA will also be featured on the city website homepage.
“We’re going to try to be proactive as opposed to reactive,” community information officer Steve Mace said.
As for Highland Park, the council is working on a more aggressive policy than last year. A letter to residents is in the works to help identify mosquito hotspots.
“If we can’t get the residents to help, we’re not going to be effective in this project,” Mayor Joel Williams said. “It’s an issue we believe is going to be with us for a few years.”
Community outreach for both municipalities features tips such as eliminating stagnant bodies of water and reducing the amount of water used in your yard.
Please take the warnings about reducing standing water and lawn watering seriously. A dear friend and neighbor is dealing with a severe West Nile case. She has been unable to work or drive for three months and will need rehab for some time. Please, please wear bug repellent and take this seriously!
Dear Mayor Joel Williams:
Do you have to blame the residents and taxpayers for a mosquito problem the town should have been on top of many years ago? Proactive management goes a long way, instead of reacting to looming disasters.
It is kind of like the HP emergency communications system that… for how many years… it was known about by our public safety department and council… to have to be warmed up, was an “old tube” system, and parts were hard to find? The town let that go for how many years?
Honestly, don’t blame the folks who pay the taxes that try to make HP function. Larger town hall offices and the fiscal hole it created for millions in renovations at town hall are sad. From an approx. $10M to $19M, I guess that’s the residents fault too. I recall it being represented to the taxpayers that this project was paid for. And now, a town like HP having to put a tin can out for donations? With no disrespect, I can only chuckle.
Leaders lead, they don’t forecast doom and blame residents…..for a mosquito issue.