City Of Garland Approves Aerial Spraying
GARLAND (CBS 11 NEWS) - Garland city leaders today became the latest in North Texas to approve aerial spraying to attack mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus. "I just think it is the right thing to do," says Mayor Ronald Jones, who also stressed that the decision needed to be made with the public's input. But, not all of that input was supportive.
Dawn West, a mother of three, addressed the council during the public comment portion of the emergency meeting. She asked the council to consider the long term environmental impact of pesticides applied by plane—stressing that personal responsibility should take precedence.
With her young daughters in tow, West told the council, "I… cover them in insect repellant when we are out where mosquitoes are present, I choose to clothe them in long clothing, as recommended by city officials. I can't help but wonder [if] those who are infected chose to follow preventative measures. Please do not take away our right to choose how we protect ourselves here in Garland."
Gene Darnell of Garland says he's done all that. He slathers on the insect repellant when going outside at dusk or dawn—when the mosquitoes that carry West Nile are searching for meal—and even tackles yard work in the middle of the day. But, he still supports the city's decision to add aerial spraying to the arsenal.
"Our grandkids: they're in and out of the house, they like being outside, and I don't want to be concerned that they get sprayed every time they come in or go out, so yeah, I'd like to see them do it."
And by a vote of 6-2, Garland's city council agreed to do just that. 18 human cases have been diagnosed this year in Garland. In an emotional plea to the council to approve the aerial spraying, Mile Jaramillo told those gathered that his mother is one of them.
"My mother, you could have danced with her on Wednesday," said Jaramillo, "and she's now laid in ICU on a ventilating machine completely, completely, in a coma."
Councilman Jim Cahill stressed that he has compassion for those that have been infected. But, voted against the aerial spraying, telling CBS 11 that he just doesn't believe that it "is all that effective."
But, Michelle Stuyvesant wants the council to try every tool available.
"I think it's [aerial spraying] a great idea," says the mother of seven. "We've got the creek behind us in the area here and a lot of elderly people in the neighborhood as well. And any precautions we can take to prevent anyone else from getting sick is a good idea."
With the decision made, city leaders in Garland are now focused on getting the word out. They want to make sure citizens know that aerial spraying is coming, and what they should do to prepare: cover fish ponds, and make sure the kids and pets are kept inside.
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