August 12, 19k News GES HERBICIDE PROTEST 3G Chuassified G86-6222) Distribution U4 1337 82D fruyes Be REPT E ELS CI TR EIT A BATTLE pitting water sprinkiers against herbicide spray gans flared up Tuesday exening when a spraying company contracted by the Greater Vancouser dlousiy © arporition (GVELC) arrived to apply a mixture af mecoprap and diveamba herbicides fo weeds oa the lawsis of the Sent Pinewood Place townhouse comple, in North Vancouver. Ressdents, whe had been notified Eriday at the canipans ’s msenhon to spray Tam. Luesdas, outraged by othe spraying truck's antival at approsmmitely 9 pose firmed on them sprinklers to dulute the terminals The sprayiug gs part of van an nual GVHC spraying program: for 43 properties awned bs the Greater Vancouver Regional District department throughout the bower Mainland. Said Pinewood Place reside Beth Forrest, the mother of three young children: *‘They said on the were “..one of the more vocal residents threatened physical violence against Our staff. He had to be restrained by some of his neighbors or he would have beaten our guy fo a pilp.”” — Thomson Spray Service co-owner Cherrie Thomson notice, they'd come at 7 a.m, We were all prepared. A lot of people took their kids out for the day and our windows were closed. They waited until 9 p.m. We immediate- ly put the sprinkler on before the spraying started.”” The Pinewood residents had previously turned to the taps July 19 when a Thomson Spray Servic truck arrived 1o spray the herbicide mixture onto lawns to check the growth of clover and other broad- leaved weeds. The residents, who believe the pesticide spraying is Unnecessary and fear the possible long-term ef- fects the herbicides may have on the many children living in the complex, were given no prior notice of the initial spraying. Thomson Spray Service co- owner Cherrie Thomson — said, although her company had been By MICHIALTL BECKER tae mandated foo spray athat the lawns, “We chose te da sper spuravans Tuesday tacmake iW casier for the terint.. Hut ane of the more socal tesidents threatened: puiysigad vie fonee apes one stiff ble tad: to beoorestrammed obs seme oot hus nemwhbors athe wenld have beaten euryvus tea pulp Mout Punewood Place resident Bran Young said the eosidents ate opposed to both the spot spraying und the blanket spraying of the lawns, “We're dead against the spray. ing.” Young said. ‘fh would rather put oul my ewn money to pay for people to come over bere and pull out the weeds by hand. We've talked to the GVEIC but hes just wort listen to anybody. To press time Thursday, Phom- sen said the GVHIC had not asked her company to attempt anorher spraying application. GVHC man- ager Michael! Walker said the company will decide its next move on the matter ata board mecting next week. North Vancouver City Ald. Bill Bell said he attempted to put the spraying issue onto the agendit at Monday's municipal council meeting, but was unsuccessful in his bid for unanimous support from other council members. “Tr wanted council to try to block the spraying and give the te- nants enough time to react to it. Whether or not it is safe, there is a fear there that has to be address- ed,"’ Beil said. Bell said he has a petition repre- senting the majority of the Pinewood tenants supporting a proposal that would see the resi- dents weeding the lawns themselves and without herbicides. At the next council meeting Bell said he will ask to have North Vancouver City staff report on the feasibility. of adopting a bylaw similar to a Vancouver bylaw which stipulates that commercial spraying companies go to the public health department betore embarking on a spraying program, Making a splash ERIC STOUT, 12, cools off at North Vancouver's Mahon Park on one of this sum- mer’s hottest days. The warm, sunny weather is {o continue today but expect isolated showers over the weekend.