8 - Sunday, Septernber 6, 1992 — North Shore News MAILBOX Crist’s argument based on biology of different bug Letter’s ethnic insult was real eye-grabber Dear Editor: A recent letter to the editor from Ernie Crist, councillor for the District of North Vancouver, deserves a response. His letter received a place of prominence in your newspaper with the headline ‘‘Gypsy moth threat fictitious.’” Mr. Crist is certainly entitled to his opinion regarding the recent Asian gypsy moth spray program. However, his district's constituents and your readers deserve the facts. And the first fact that must be stated is that Mr. Crist has based his whole opinion on the biology of a different bug. To this end, he does his constituents a disservice. He constantly refers to the European gypsy moth throughout his letter and although this moth is a-‘‘cousin” of the Asian varie- ty, it is not comparable in the amount uf damage that it can in- flict. The “sian gypsy moth is far more dangerous due to the fact that the female can fly, meaning that she could lay her eggs all over this province (and country) if this pest were not eradicated. , Mr. Crist also places much em- phasis on the Ontario govern- ment’s decision to end its spray program for the European gypsy moth. What Mr. Crist omits is the fact that the Ontario program was cut for budgetary reasons and that af- fected property owners must now pay for spraying out of their own pockets, This situation caused an cutcry from the Federation of Ontario -Cottagers Association (250,000 members} and the Federation of Ontario Naturalists who demand- éd, to no avail, that the govern- ment continue to spray. ‘It is also erroneous to compare ‘Ontario or Europe’s situation with ours. Europe has many natural diseases and predators that keep . the bug in reasonable check al- “though its forests have suffered over time. Ontario has sinaller, localized populations of European-variety gypsy moths thanks to [0 years of spraying. However, before spray- ing began, thousands of hectares _ of forest were defoliated. . Again, please remember this is .the bug that stays in one place, _ making it relatively easy to find! -_ In an effort to crystalize some facts on the recent spray progrars, ‘let me make it clear that Victoria did not enter into the-initial deci- sion-making process, nor did forest companies. The decision to attempt this type of spray program for Van- Drop XXX keep Collins Dear Editor: We agree 100% with the Letter of the Day from Capt. and Mrs. » Evelyn Howell regarding the XXX pornographic movie advertise- ment. If you have any backbone in yourself, take it out of your paper. Does money mean more to you and that’s why you printed this trash? Show us a better side of yourself and leave it out of your paper. But please keep Doug Collins’ column in. We don’t always agree with his articles, but he keeps - people aware of many things. Mr. and Mrs, S. Guntner West Vancouver couver was made by Agriculture Canada after much deliberation with its biologists and en- tomologists. Once a plan of action was con- ceived, extensive public consulta- tion then occurred, including forest industry representatives, environmental groups, parks boards, health officials, ratepayer associations, native groups, municipal government and many Other interested stakeholders. In fact, more than 100 groups were invited to examine and discuss this eradication progran). Although Mr. Crist may now find it convenient to imply that government was faced with blackmail from the forest com- panies, nothing could be further from the truth. The decision to eradicate the Asian gypsy moth was based on scientific literature, historical data and a genuine concern for the future of this province. Many environmental groups did not oppose this decision because the threat to our environment, econemy and personal lifestyles was very real. If the Asian gypsy moth had gained a foothold in Vancouver, it is conceivable that our port would - be quarantined, shipping would be seriously affected and grain farm- ers would be prevented from ex- porting goods. Forests would eventually show tree-death while munching cater- pillars crawl over once-beautiful gardens and city parks. Vancouver residents would be alarmed into action. if that situation had occurred, | am quite sure that Mr. Crist would be writing a differently worded letter. Nancy Arpyle, Director of Communications Asian Gypsy Moth Eradication Dear Editor: I am writing to you to ex- press my disgust at your choice of ‘‘Letter of the Day’? for Friday, Aug. 28. The word ‘yellow,’ when used as a synonym for the word ‘‘cowaraly’’ derives from our perception as ‘‘white’’ people that Orientals fight in an unchivalrous manner. The purpose of my letter to you is not to comment upon the content of the letter you featured (the writer, after all, is entitled to his opinion) but to ask you if you’d taken leave of your senses when you decided to print it at all, let alone feature it and then select the very most offensive word to headline and piace in quotation marks! : It certainly was an eye-grab- ber. If that was your intention you succeeded admirably. It’s a pity I don’t actually subscribe to the North Shore News — it arrives, unbidden, like a foundling on my doorstep — if I’ did I would forthwith cancel my subscrip- tion. Eugenia Torvick Nortii Vancouver 3, NOW YOU CAN DISCOVER VANCOUVER’S PREMIER | FAMILY RECREATION FACILITY. THE NORTH SHORE WINTER CLUB: A CLUB FOR ALL SEASONS. OFFER- ‘ING YOU THE BEST FAMILY RECREATION VALUE IN TOWN — THIS FALL, AND ALL YEAR ROUND.. IS FALL YOU'LL FIND IT ALL AT THES NORTH SHORE WINTER CLUB . {325 E. Keith Rd. 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