v's time to pull the p Dear Editor: There are several inaccuracies in: Roy Jonson's June 7 News Sow it Grows col- amn (“It’s time to update pes- ticide legislation”) that we would like to address. 1) Pesticides currently being sold in Canada have not been subjected to “strict” testing procedures as stated in the arti- cle. To the contrary, they haven’t even been tested by ar independent source, fet alone the government. Rather, it is left up te the —— MAIL Box lug on pesticide use Pesticide manufacturer to pro- vide certain test results prior to segistration. These tests are conducted cither in their own laboratory, or are farmed out to a fab of their choosing. During one four-vear peri- od in the United States, 82 pes- ticide testing companies were under investigation tor fraudu- lent or careless testing work. Further, we are nor allowed to know all the chemicals the pesticides contain. This is “pro- Prictary” information, protect- ed by the ‘Trade Secrets Act. 2 Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is advocated in) the article, includes the use of pesticides. It is, therefore, unacceptable. For instance, the annual pesticide spraying for Gypsy moth, which aerial sprays hundreds of heetares to try and kill a few moths is (incredibly) part of an IPM program! Pesticides were discovered while developing chemical war- fare agents in the Second World War. There is no place on our planet for these dangerous neu- rotoxic chemicals, Their wide- spread use has contaminated our water, air, soil and food. Even polar bears living in the Arctic are not immune. Their livers have become so polluted with pesticides that they may not survive as a species. The breast milk of Inuit women is in a similar condition. It is time to stop. Currendy, 37 municipalities is Canada have banned the use of pesticides. Court challenges by those CAGE poll question was confusing Dear Editor: In the May 31 News Soc! Wright has a bit about the June 5 CAGE celephone poll. “Wright wrote that “if you’re prepared to accept the levy, vote ‘yes’. If not, vote However, when I called to cast my vore, the question thar was asked (as nearly as 1 can remember it) was, “Are you against the imposition of the transit levy? If yes, push ‘1’; if no, push *2”-.” Note the reversal of the options. According to Wright, vore “ves” if you're prepared te accept the levy. According to the question asked, vote “yes” if you're against the levy. The ,question is not repeated, so I had to think fast. I wondered if 1 had heard it correctly. It’s not natural to be asked to vote “yes” to signify that you oppose something. Anybody who was the least bit distracted could eas- ily make a mistake, especially if after reading Wright's col- umn they had placed the cali with a pre-coneeption of whether they were going to vote yes or no (as I had). 1 don’t know who pro- duced the question asked on the phone, but in my opinion they have realiy messed it up and confused the voters by asking a reversed question. Consequencly, the poll, whatever othe apparent results, must be considered flawed. It will not be taken seri- ously by Translink or any else Paar sc scesss JEEP OWNERS Compiete mechanical & electrical repairs by factory trained technician IMPEX AUTO 1466A West 44th Street Tel: 985-6237 . (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) Visit our web site: werveteonpaxeute.com Gallent (itchen & Bath just opened it's doors on Marine Drive, next to Country Fumiture in North Van. Although this is a new business venture for caner Gary Gallent, it's far from a new trade. - : Gary worked as an independent contractor for Thunderbird Home centers for well over a decade. Renovating Kitchens, and baths is his specialty, but asa concurner he doesn't expect it to be yours. Gary, or one of his staff, wil be happy to visit your home before an estimate is given. He recommends particular. - prods depending on you bufge and your needs Before ary wor begins hes able to create tree censor compiter print out, showing you exactly how your new Ktichen or bath will took, a "When you're given a quote, Gary separates the instalation from the material costs. When you work with Gallant Kitchen & Bath there are no surprises, unless you consider complete satisfaction to be an exception, Everyone has a different level of expertise when it comes to renovating. At Gallant Kitchen & Bath you can have it al done for you, or do it afl yourself! Gary has set up his showroom to display a huge range of products effectively arc! ' ‘attractively. Whether it’s cabinets, counter tops, plumbing fixtures or flooring, you will fi find exactly what you need at Gallant Kichen & Bath.” in authority, so docs nothing to lend support to efforts to deteat the levy. T feel serious- ly let down by such incompe- tence. CAGE, get together! Bill Tracey bill_tracey@relus.net your act Sunday. June 11, 2000 - North Shore News - 9 who make a living from pesti- cides have already taken place. The power of the pesticide makers is considerable. Anyone who doubts it should check out the tragedy in Bhopal, India. To-date, Union Carbide has still not provided records of the pesticides chat killed 5,000 people and injured untold thousands. 3) Brk was recommended in the article as a “sate” pesticide. To claim a pesticide is safe is an oxymoron, Tf a pesticide were safe, it wouldn't kill. Thanks for the dirt on dog dirt Dear Editor Thank you, Joan Klucha, for your column on the unpleasant subject of uncol- lected dog waste, Urban arcas like Dundarave village are also made ugly by this problem. Dana Fears West Vancouver me do you sean aes area © | carpets? .We follow LICRC. - guidelines for. proper ‘| cleaning. -Prevacuum, prespray '- ‘then © extraction. Other steps such as using the Bonnet Buffer to further remove any excess dirt or moisture left behind, are used. . «Deodorizing, scotchguarding ‘and specialty stain odour removal improves t the look and ‘feel of the carpet. We never rely on just one “method of cleanirig to achieve desired results. In our new location 1574 Bay Street, North Van. we have implemented a new program which means a minimum of 3 " working day turnaround for cleaning. Aliso 10% of cleaning will be given to charity during June & July te celebrate our “new location! Please erop off or have us pick up. email: angelrestore@telus.net _ : www.angel-restoration.com ° eu hoilstery, stains. olds, miidew odor - . e * Flood/water damage. Christopher Lewis President Society Targeting Overuse of Pesticides (STOP) AUTOMOTIVE = Ting 2 ol Be I wath es at Belt, vere 9S 988-2239 I 1 110 Felt Ave, North Vancouver 5 "_wwvi.greatnacific.net *