Apparently the City of Brandon has a 30 year old "policy" against spraying for mosquitoes unless the Provincial Health Org. declares a risk of west nile. It is a POLICY, a city policy! Policies can be changed, amended, removed, suspended or an exeptioin to policy granted. City council has this authority, IT IS THEIR POLICY. If you want to enjoy some summer, free of mosquitoes, then get on the phone to your councillor and let them know. They all know it is an election year and will be in the mood to be helpful. Lets call now!

I've lived here for more than thirty years. There is no such "policy". It doesn't exist. What we have here is an ideological issue, driven by a few anti-spray bureaucrats, with spouses who are even more anti-spray.  
 
We'll see how smug they are when people start getting west nile. Just watch the lawyers line up to sue the city then.

the email address's of the City Counsellor's we should be contacting..I want to enjoy my deck, and my backyard this summer.

Here is a link to the city of brandon councillors.  
 
http://www.city.brandon.mb.ca/Main.nsf/Pages+By+ID/372  
 
everyone, please, email your councillor and ask them to spray! I too, would like to enjoy my deck.

is getting out of hand. If its not a policy can it be changed with a petition or something? Maybe they can make it into a business, so who wants their area to get sprayed it can, and who doesnt they dont need to worry about it.

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz will get his motion put through to disallow the buffer zones in Winnipeg - then maybe - in addition to angry Brandonites calling for change, something will be done.  
 
I do not believe it is a "policy" - I believe it is an excuse not to spend money. Just like their excuse not to spray for dandelions. No one wants to look at fields of weeds, either.

And get rid of the buffer zones. Winnipeg is looking at getting rid of or reducing the size of the buffer zones.

i e-mailed mine. i hope everybody else does too!

it is a load of BS about Counsellors, we need to get rid of them and get some good ones that care about the city!  
 
They really need to get the FOG going already! It is really bad out there.  
 
My wife gotten bitten and the doc says she may have lime disease. So she has to go under tests!

If the mosquitoes were only bad during late evening/dusk, I wouldn't be complaining so much. But they're just as bad at 2 p.m. as they are 8 a.m. or 8 p.m.  
 
I have a toddler who desperately wants to go out for more than half an hour a day to play. With all the rain we've had, and now the mosquitoes, outdoor play time has been very limited.  
 
Perhaps stressed parents - and childcare providers, too - can start taking their kids to city hall to get them out of the house. I'm sure that would help get the point across

Buck37 said "I've lived here for more than thirty years. There is no such "policy". It doesn't exist. What we have here is an ideological issue, driven by a few anti-spray bureaucrats, with spouses who are even more anti-spray.     We'll see how smug they are when people start getting west nile. Just watch the lawyers line up to sue the city then. "

There is a policy. It's actually a top story in the Brandon Sun today.  
 
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Brandon-should-look-at-changes-to-fogging-policy-says-councillor-96981989.html?thx=y

is the reply from my city councillor:  
 
 
Brian,  
 
Why not seek the latest information from the province on what they're  
picking up in traps in this area and get their views on spraying. If the  
province says we should spray, then we can spray. If the province says we  
don't need to spray, then we should perhaps have a special meeting of  
council to talk about how we deal with it. I don't think we should delay  
too long on this as the crisis will have passed and people will be upset  
(perhaps legitimatelyo) that we didn't address the problem. What are you  
hearing from other councillors? Cheers, Errol  
 
---Original Message---  
 
 
Subject: Re: Mosquito Spraying  
 
Murray,  
As the Policy not to fog is a long standing policy that was apparently put  
in place as a result of a decision made by the then Mosquito Abatement  
Committee, I would suggest that any change to that Policy should come about  
as a result of a resolution of City Council. In this regard, I would  
further suggest that the best course of action to implement either a Policy  
change or a review of the Policy would be for a member of Council to  
introduce a Notice of Motion on the matter, which would then result in  
Council debate and direction to Administration.  
 
In regard to the issue, I would note that any change would probably result  
in a significant backlash from those residents focused on the environmental  
concerns associated with fogging. You will probably recall that the  
Province directed fogging of two years ago (relative to control of the  
potentially West Nile carrying Culex tarsalis mosquitos) resulted in  
significant negative comment from many residents. I would anticipate that  
the complaints would be even more numerous if the fogging was not done on  
Provincial orders related to West Nile control.  
 
I would also note that, given the short life span of mosquitos (two to  
three weeks), control through fogging would not normally be a "one of"  
event. With dry warm weather, the current over-population should abate,  
following which our normal larvaciding program should be sufficient to keep  
the mosquito population within reasonable norms.  
 
Just some thoughts for your consideration. Clearly, there is a balance  
required here and, whatever the decisions, not everyone will be happy.  
 
Given the interest of all of Council in this issue, I have taken the  
liberty of copying other members of Council on this response. If you or  
any other member of Council would like to discuss further, just let me  
know. Thanks,  
 
Brian  
 
Brian MacRae  
City Manager  
City of Brandon  

CdnKoko said "    Buck37 said "I've lived here for more than thirty years. There is no such "policy". It doesn't exist. What we have here is an ideological issue, driven by a few anti-spray bureaucrats, with spouses who are even more anti-spray.     We'll see how smug they are when people start getting west nile. Just watch the lawyers line up to sue the city then. " There is a policy. It's actually a top story in the Brandon Sun today.     http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Brandon-should-look-at-changes-to-fogging-policy-says-councillor-96981989.html?thx=y "

Can you find me the alleged "policy" in the City by-laws?  
 
Nope. It isn't there.  
 
There has never been a debate or a by-law passed establishing such a "policy". There have never been public consultations either. They can't hide behind a history of inaction (and then call it a "policy", as if it is something formal and permanent) in order to justify further inaction and neglect.

I just finished emailing my councillor, and I hope for his sake he tries to do something or else he won't be getting my vote come election time!  
For the amount of money we spend on taxes (highest in our area) I expect something to get done!  
Really, what do they use our tax dollars for? A little off topic I know

I was s o upset after reading that article yesterday...being a 'green' example to other cities supercedes the pain & concern for their brandon residents esp children already covered in bites.  
 
the only concern we get is Stay Indoors until the weather starts cooperating and the little buggers should disappear as fast as ere they came! and if you do venture out into the dangerous territory you might wanna stock up on whatever ya can that will help you, and (smack on the back!) all the best to ya!  
 
Bullkrap is right! Fog darnit!  
 

It will be interesting to see what Winnipeg does since they are going to look at their policy and looking at changes. But it still sounds like it still has to be approved by the province.

So we have to cut the city's grass around our house, but they won't help control bugs. We pay more taxes and receive less services. Bombard your councilors with emails. Let them know you know it is an election year!!!

What I don't understand, is that if the city doesn't want to spray, why don't they automatically have timed releases of dragonflys to help control the mosquito population. This is an issue every summer. Surely they can budget for this with our tax dollars. I understand them hesitating to spray because of the contraversy it causes, but why not arrange for their natural preditors to help control the pest population.  
 
Other cities that I have lived in have controlled problem insects by using their natural preditors with much success. You would think that this should be a given where the mosquito is the provincial bird.

I was searching the City of Brandon website for a copy of the Policy for Fogging which doesn't seem to be posted on their site but I did locate this brochure on the City's Integrated Pest Management Plan - here is the link to it. http://www.brandon.ca/main.nsf/e23e545cb880816786256e7f004bbdc2/7114de40f6696d03862572ae005890db/$FILE/Integrated%20Pest%20Management%20Plan.pdf  
 
It also makes reference to weed control which apparently the City's Weed Inspector (does anyone know who that is?) is responsible for determining the following:  
 
Level 2  
These areas require a moderate level of maintenance. These areas include General  
park areas, school grounds, boulevards, golf course rough and buffer strips.  
 
Maintenance requirements for these areas include:  
• Mowing Height 7.6 cm (3 inches)  
• Mowing Frequency 10 – 14 working days  
• Irrigation – None  
• Weed Control – No herbicide application in parks, school grounds,critical care senior citizen complexes, licensed day-care centres, public education facilities, and medical facilities. A pesticide application will be permitted to control or destroy plants or insects that constitute a danger for humans or to control or destroy weed or insect  
infestations. This will be determined by the City of Brandon Weed Inspector.  
• Fertilizing – Fall only  
• Over-Seeding – Done annually between April 20 and May 10  
• Renovation and Repair – As required  
• Aeration and Repair – In conjunction with fertilizing  
• Litter pick up – Free of visible debris  
 
I think the City's Weed Inspector should be held accountable for the amount of dandelions in this City.  
 
I've contacted my Councilor about the Fogging Policy. I hope you do as well.  

I agree about the dandelions! Our school playground looks like there's no grass left--just a field of dandelions.  
 
my response from my city councillor was for him to forward his correspondence with the city manager, who i guess decides what we do and when (hmpf, i thought that's what the councellors were for)... he didn't even bother to respond with an e-mail directly to me.

What's wrong with dandelions???  
Don't remember mosquito spraying being part of what we pay for taxes, if you live in the country you pay for your own spray.  
If anyone gets any of that crap on my stuff, I'll sue your butt off.  
What a bunch of whiners.  
My vote goes to whom ever has the most chemical free platform.

Whiners?! Are you kidding me?! It would appear as though you don't have children who need to get outside and run around and burn of excess energy. With all of the rain my kids have been locked up in the house, and now get attacked when we go outside! My kids are also too small to apply any type of any anti-bug product. (as per doctor)  
I know several people who have emailed their councillors and I'm hoping that it results in fogging. Then you can sue the city's butt for getting that crap on your stuff. *shaking head*  
There appears to be more people than not who want the fog....hopefully majority will rule  

CITY elected officials...WE WANT OUR CITY FOGGED!!! We pay the taxesn and we want some to go to our comfort........The mosquito's r ruining summer and I FOR ONE do not want my kids to be forced to play indoors after 4 pm everyday or be covered in bug spray all summer!! PLEASE BRANDON ADD to this post if u also want this..if u don't start ur own post!! HEAR OUR PLEA!!!

There's already 2 other threads regarding the mosquito's and fogging

Its called OFF for a reason!

Well I agree. FOG NOW!

Oscar'sgirl said "Whiners?! Are you kidding me?! It would appear as though you don't have children who need to get outside and run around and burn of excess energy. With all of the rain my kids have been locked up in the house, and now get attacked when we go outside! My kids are also too small to apply any type of any anti-bug product. (as per doctor)   I know several people who have emailed their councillors and I'm hoping that it results in fogging. Then you can sue the city's butt for getting that crap on your stuff. *shaking head*   There appears to be more people than not who want the fog....hopefully majority will rule   "

Wise man say when see masses go one way...go the other way.  
Find natural resources, lots mentioned already, dress approprately and/or go in at peak times.  
Above all, encourage natural methods and discourage chemical warfare on nature, because nature will adapt and that's when you find out who's in charge.  
Adapt to nature or pay the consequences...not that hard when you get in the habit and think long term, not just tomorrow nights bbq.  
 
Alas, stupid humans will keep on thinking they can outsmart nature and because of their selfishness and lack of common sense...they will fail, and make it worse for the next generation.  
My God, look at the shape we're in, chemical soup: need to get back to Grandmas borscht.  
BTW, have you ever tried dancing in the rain...you do have a dryer don't you?

winnipeg and portage are already spraying thier mosquitos screw the cultex mosquito count i want all my tax dollars to go toward fogging this city this is the worst i've seen since i can remember i'm gonna do my own fogging just bought a fogger off ebay since no hardware stores in brandon have any left nor are they getting anymore in apparently people are looking for foggers in march and april kinda like the fall/winter sears cataloge coming out this week cause i can sure use a winter jacket right now

kc's thoughts said "CITY elected officials...WE WANT OUR CITY FOGGED!!! We pay the taxesn and we want some to go to our comfort........The mosquito's r ruining summer and I FOR ONE do not want my kids to be forced to play indoors after 4 pm everyday or be covered in bug spray all summer!! PLEASE BRANDON ADD to this post if u also want this..if u don't start ur own post!! HEAR OUR PLEA!!! "

that you're worried about putting bug spray on your kids all summer, but you're not worried about spraying chemicals into the air.

This is rediculous, too hot to be fully clothed and lets face it childrens repellent doesn't do the job it needs to.