Letters to the Editor for Apr 02, 2009

Various

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SCOFFING AT MOTHS

Good article (“Beating a Dead Moth,” March 19-26.)Wrong opinion.

The moth is not dead. The program should be.

It’s not the moth eradication opponents stuck on the moth.It’s the government agencies.

Why, the media should ask, should the California Department of Agriculture and its federal big brother care that “infestations are intensifying’’?Answer, so they can spend/waste taxpayer dollars.No wonder People Against Chemical Trespass is backing an ordinance so the local community decides if CDFA or other moth-brains can spray them.

Our new president wants to quit spending money for useless programs.The Light Brown Apple Moth eradication program qualifies.Already, $150 million-plus has been spent/wasted to get rid of a moth that does NO (zero) harm.

Where, the media should ask, is the proof that this mislabeled “invasive pest” has done any significant harm to any crops anywhere in the world? -Dick Andre | Carmel

FIGHTING HUNGER

As our days begin to warm and the soil starts to dry out, the fields that surround our part of California start to spring to life. It is also the beginning of the gleaning season, an opportunity to hand harvest crops that, for various reasons, would otherwise be plowed under. The driving force behind this volunteer effort is the local organization Ag Against Hunger. By signing up on their website, www.agagainsthunger.org, individuals, families, friends, church groups, military squads and any other interested parties can be notified about gathering together to spend a Saturday morning picking eatable crops that are then distributed to local food banks to feed those hungry and in need. Be it harvesting lettuce, celery, or broccoli, from first hand experience, I know that the more hands that are involved, the faster the semi-truck is filled. Please join us. –Peter Hiller | Carmel

Correction

In “Getting Warmer,” [March 5-11], Asilomar State Beach was identified as a beach where small fires are permitted. Fires are not allowed anywhere in Pacific Grove; open fires in that area are only allowed on the Pebble Beach coast just south of Asilomar. Permission for the public to access that beach must be granted by Pebble Beach Company.