Dave Weiss wrote this (thanks Dave!) and I totally agree! But let's
make it happen all across Minneapolis!
Karlie Cole
Kingfield
From: Dave Weiss <<email obscured>>
Date: Sun, May 1, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Subject: [Seward] Lawn chemicals in Seward
To: <email obscured>
― 1 file link ―
Dear Neighbors
Despite the variable weather, the beautiful trees and lovely flowers
in so many yards are blooming. They are a joy to look at and our air
is perfumed with their fragrance. Unfortunately, in May some
residents become extremely concerned about the broadleaf plants on
their lawns and feel the need to use harsh poisons to kill them.
We respect the right of the individual to do what they would like in
their own yard. However, chemicals have blown in the open windows of
my home, filling the air with toxic fumes. It is impossible to air
them out because the outdoor air is also filled with them. When this
chemical invasion occurs, it is no longer the business of only that
neighbor and it impacts all of us.
The chemical smell can last for weeks when it is out-gassing from a
yard. We are breathing in the chemical over and over. These chemicals
can destroy our air quality 1 to 2 blocks or more from where they are
sprayed, depending on wind and weather patterns.
It is known that dogs can have strokes from these chemicals and there
are known diseases that develop in children who are repeatedly
exposed. Children are lower to the ground and babies in strollers
also are almost in direct contact with chemicals as parents walk by
with their children.
In addition to the air quality issues that result from these
chemicals, they also wash into the water so that we ultimately are
bathing with them, drinking them, and cooking with them. They also
wash and blow into our organic gardens, thereby destroying our
attempts to grow our own vegetables without pesticides and herbicides.
Last fall the Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed the attached
resolution asking all residents of the city to refrain from the use of
chemical pesticides and to implement organic gardening practices.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Seward neighborhood, which is known to
be the most progressive in the city, would become a model neighborhood
by eliminating the use of all herbicides and pesticides, thereby
cooperating with the citywide efforts to ban the use of these
chemicals?
Are dandelions and crabgrass a threat to our environment? Do they
threaten lives of our pets, our health, our children’s health, or that
of pets, bees, birds, and all the wildlife that we see in our
neighborhood? Lawn chemicals do. Are there suggestions by other
Seward neighbors of natural ways to avoid the use of chemicals if
there are those who must have their lawns weed-free?
Ricky and David Weiss
― 1 file ―
📎 pesticide proposal.pdf (74kb)
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/file/4BrliXKKQ5KTd14z3HnLSCys8J8-jjD-2zBgPsw/
Dave Weiss
Seward, Minneapolis
About/contact Dave Weiss: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/daveweiss
make it happen all across Minneapolis!
Karlie Cole
Kingfield
From: Dave Weiss <<email obscured>>
Date: Sun, May 1, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Subject: [Seward] Lawn chemicals in Seward
To: <email obscured>
― 1 file link ―
Dear Neighbors
Despite the variable weather, the beautiful trees and lovely flowers
in so many yards are blooming. They are a joy to look at and our air
is perfumed with their fragrance. Unfortunately, in May some
residents become extremely concerned about the broadleaf plants on
their lawns and feel the need to use harsh poisons to kill them.
We respect the right of the individual to do what they would like in
their own yard. However, chemicals have blown in the open windows of
my home, filling the air with toxic fumes. It is impossible to air
them out because the outdoor air is also filled with them. When this
chemical invasion occurs, it is no longer the business of only that
neighbor and it impacts all of us.
The chemical smell can last for weeks when it is out-gassing from a
yard. We are breathing in the chemical over and over. These chemicals
can destroy our air quality 1 to 2 blocks or more from where they are
sprayed, depending on wind and weather patterns.
It is known that dogs can have strokes from these chemicals and there
are known diseases that develop in children who are repeatedly
exposed. Children are lower to the ground and babies in strollers
also are almost in direct contact with chemicals as parents walk by
with their children.
In addition to the air quality issues that result from these
chemicals, they also wash into the water so that we ultimately are
bathing with them, drinking them, and cooking with them. They also
wash and blow into our organic gardens, thereby destroying our
attempts to grow our own vegetables without pesticides and herbicides.
Last fall the Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed the attached
resolution asking all residents of the city to refrain from the use of
chemical pesticides and to implement organic gardening practices.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Seward neighborhood, which is known to
be the most progressive in the city, would become a model neighborhood
by eliminating the use of all herbicides and pesticides, thereby
cooperating with the citywide efforts to ban the use of these
chemicals?
Are dandelions and crabgrass a threat to our environment? Do they
threaten lives of our pets, our health, our children’s health, or that
of pets, bees, birds, and all the wildlife that we see in our
neighborhood? Lawn chemicals do. Are there suggestions by other
Seward neighbors of natural ways to avoid the use of chemicals if
there are those who must have their lawns weed-free?
Ricky and David Weiss
― 1 file ―
📎 pesticide proposal.pdf (74kb)
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/file/4BrliXKKQ5KTd14z3HnLSCys8J8-jjD-2zBgPsw/
Dave Weiss
Seward, Minneapolis
About/contact Dave Weiss: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/daveweiss
