The O.C. Vector Control District will spray mosquito poison over our homes on Sep. 9-10

Here we go again.  The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has announced that they are going to be conducting aerial spraying of a chemical poison over the cities of Orange, Tustin, Villa Park and portions of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Stanton between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, and Thursday, September 10, 2015 (weather permitting).

The chemical is called Duet.  This is a mosquito control product registered for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  That said it is a terrible idea to spray this product. Duet is highly toxic to other insects, such as bees.  It is also deadly to fish.

While the Vector Control District says that there is no need to stay indoors – what about the homeless?  Should they be out there getting sprayed?  Should they be breathing that stuff?

The fact is that most mosquitoes in Orange County are already infected with the West Nile virus so why resort to this silly spraying?

The answer is insidious.  The Vector Control District exists because they take our money via property assessments.  They can only justify their existence by scaring the public.  That is what this spraying operation is all about.

There is no reason to spray a toxic mist all over the County.  Very few people die from this disease and in fact the most liable to get sick are the homeless because so many of them sleep outside.

If you want to avoid the West Nile Virus then don’t go outside after dark.  If you do then be sure to wear long pants and sleeves and use mosquito repellent.

The homeless should be provided with mosquito repellent and temporary housing rather than douse them with toxic chemicals.

Please call the Vector Control District and complain at (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421, or visit www.ocvcd.org.

And take the time to complain to the lame Vector Control District Board Members and Staff and to our local elected officials:

• Michael Hearst, OC Vector Control District Manager – Email. (714) 971-2421, Ext. 129.
• Chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors Todd Spitzer – Email.  (714) 834-3330.
• Supervisor Andrew Do – Email.  (714) 834.3110.  (Represents Santa Ana – and he serves on the OC Vector Control Board)
• Supervisor Shawn Nelson – Email.  (714) 834-3440.
• Supervisor Michelle Steel – Email.  (714) 834-3220.
• Supervisor Lisa Bartlett – Email.  (714) 834-3550
• The Santa Ana City Council.  Email them here.
• Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez, Ward 2.  Email her here and here.  Call her at (714) 887-9845.
• Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides, Ward 4.  Email him here and here.  Call him at (714) 475-1630.
• Santa Ana Councilman Sal Tinajero, Ward 6.  Email him here and here.  Call him at (714) 552-2800.
• Santa Ana Councilman Roman Reyna, Ward 5.  Email him here.  Call him at 714-647-6900.  (He also represents Santa Ana on the OC Vector Control Board)
• Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento, Ward 1.  Email him here.  Call him at 714-647-6900.
• Santa Ana Councilwoman Angie Amezcua, Ward 3.  Email her here.  Call her at 714-647-6900.
• Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Email him here.  Call him at 714-647-6900.
• Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos.  Email him here.  Call him at  (714) 647-5200.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has oversight over the spraying of insecticides.  Their Director in Southern California is Steven Leonido-John – Email.  (213) 244-1804.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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