Overview
Nanaimo residents, and perhaps visitors/tourists as well, have been COMPLAINING ABOUT WEEDS IN PARKS, ROAD CRACKS AND SIDEWALKS, AND PLAYGROUNDS.
It boggles my mind to think that people such as Councillor Jim Kipp are MAKING DECISIONS THAT HAVE TURNED MANY OF OUR CITIES INTO SOME OF THE WORST HELL-HOLES TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE.
Whatever happened to listening to scientists and those in the know rather than many of these anti-pesticide maniacs ?
There is now a sizable list of jurisdictions which have either rescinded their pesticide ban, or have modified it substantially.
Nanaimo BC Pesticide Ban
July 17th, 2012
Art C. Drysdale
Letter to the Editor
Selected and Adapted Excerpts
Questioning the Expertise of Mr. Jim Kipp
From what I have read in the Nanaimo Daily News, I gather that Nanaimo residents, and perhaps visitors/tourists as well, have been COMPLAINING ABOUT WEEDS IN PARKS, ROAD CRACKS AND SIDEWALKS, AND PLAYGROUNDS, and so they should.
Like many other cities who thought they were doing the right thing by introducing the so-called Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) did not realize just who and what organizations were urging this upon them.
It is unfortunate that Councillors like Jim Kipp [ City of Nanaimo, British Columbia ] CAN BE AS NAÏVE AS HE APPEARS TO BE when he says in your paper ( and elsewhere, no doubt ) ―
The growing proliferation of unsightly weeds in cracks in the centre medians of the city’s thoroughfares this summer likely has little to do with the city’s ban on many toxic pesticides.
I certainly WOULD NOT BE LISTENING TO ANYTHING THE COUNCILLOR HAS TO SAY on any subject in as much as he obviously makes comments as the one above ON TOPICS ABOUT WHICH HE KNOWS NOTHING.
Horticultural advice and information has been my life for fifty years, and I was a personal friend of the late Dr. R. Milton Carleton of Chicago who considered himself the co-discoverer of the chemical 2,4-D for weed control in lawns.
« Milt », as those who knew him well called him, was at that time the Director of Research for the Vaughan Seed Company in Chicago.
If you wish to read more about just how Milt Carleton « co-invented 2,4-D » just go to my March 14, 2010 article on ICanGarden.com ― the largest Canadian gardening Web-Site.
[ See the next segment entitled « Is This the Beginning of the Americanization of Gardening in Canada ? » Art C. Drysdale. March 14th, 2010. ]
It boggles my mind to think that people such as him [ Councillor Jim Kipp ] are MAKING DECISIONS THAT HAVE TURNED MANY OF OUR CITIES INTO SOME OF THE WORST HELL-HOLES TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE.
CARNAGE LEADING TO GARBAGE DUMP GREEN SPACES ( Web-Page )
CARNAGE LEADING TO GARBAGE DUMP GREEN SPACES ( Photo Gallery )
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LISTENING TO SCIENTISTS AND THOSE IN THE KNOW RATHER THAN MANY OF THESE ANTI-PESTICIDE MANIACS ?
Are your people at the Nanaimo Daily News aware that THERE IS NOW A SIZABLE LIST OF JURISDICTIONS WHICH HAVE EITHER RESCINDED THEIR PESTICIDE BAN, OR HAVE MODIFIED IT SUBSTANTIALLY ?
You can find that list in my ICanGarden.com article.
VICTORIES AGAINST TERRORISTS ! – TREND TOWARDS PESTICIDE BANS HAS STOPPED ( Web-Page )
I hope your editors will see the light and publish some or all of the list to show that there really is another side to this story !
Feel free to pick up all or any part of it.
Is This the Beginning of the Americanization of Gardening in Canada ?
Art C. Drysdale
March 14th, 2010
Back in the mid-eighties, I well remember a so-called garden writer from the U.S. coming to Canada on a regular basis as a paid « expert » on the behalf of a consumer home show.
He was formerly a Detroit police officer, and had published several books containing ridiculous suggestions for the control of pests and other gardening chores.
The suggestions included « special formulas » that contained odd ingredients including beer.
I have not heard of him lately, and was thankful that most of the advice being offered to Canadians for their gardening was by Canadians ( although that advice offered by some ex-pats remains questionable ! ).
Last week, I learned that history is repeating itself with the importation of one Paul Tukey coming to Canada for several speaking engagements and to introduce his not-so-great home-made video called A Chemical Reaction which includes his interpretation of just what happened in Hudson, Québec that was the beginning of banning chemical pesticides in Canada.
CULPRIT – TUKEY, PAUL – THE BIN LADEN OF ENVIRONMENTAL-TERRORISM ( Web-Page )
This thing with Paul Tukey seems to have started back on September 6, 2008, when I received the following e-mail message from him ―
I would like to interview you for a book I am writing about the history of the lawn care industry in North America. Would you have some time for such a pursuit ? All the best.
I responded on September 9th as follows ―
Yes, I could do that at some point, but I should point out that I am not exactly a supporter of organic-only lawn care ! Did you wish to do it by telephone ?
He then responded on the 10th ―
Our first conversation should be by phone. That would be fine. Just give me a time. Thank you. I would like to talk about Milton Carelton [ sic ] and his and your views on 2-4, D. [ sic ]
I found it interesting that a supposed radio, TV and print journalist would not only spell Dr. R. Milton Carleton’s name INCORRECTLY, but also MISSPELL the short form name of the weed-control chemical 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ( 2,4-D ) !
By the time I wrote back to him, I had already checked him out both on the Web and also in the Membership Directory of the Garden Writers Association of America ( of which I am the only Canadian to have been President, 1979 – 1981 ).
Though I have not continued my membership ( because I do not believe the organization does as much for writers as it used to ), I do remain in close contact with certain old-time members.
My own membership goes back to the mid 60s, whereas I note Paul Tukey has only been a member since 2005.
I was also a close friend of GWAA member the late Dr. R. Milton Carleton. [ 1899 – 1986 ]
As I have written previously, I used to see him at least two times per year, including annually at the Chicago Flower Show.
When I began to encounter opposition to 2,4-D in Ontario in the 90s ( and even earlier ) I wrote to Milt ( as we affectionately called him ), and here follows what he wrote back to me ―
I probably know more about the history and use of this chemical than anyone alive.
Dr. Franklin D. Jones, who discovered its phytochemical properties and patented its use as a control for unwanted plants, walked into my office right after WWII.
He said he had a marvellous weed killer for drive[way]s.
My answer was « Frank, we have plenty of chemicals that will do that ― even old crank case oil will do the job. What we need is a better control for crabgrass ! »
« Unfortunately », he replied, « it doesn’t do too good a job on grasses; in fact they don't die unless you use so much that I suspect it's the carrier that kills, not the 2,4-D. »
This set me to thinking ― if it doesn’t kill crabgrass, maybe it won’t kill bluegrass, which proved to be true when I ran tests.
That was the birth of modern selective weed killers.
[ The Ultimate Drink Test ― ] « Milt » usually carried a flask around with him that contained 2,4-D from which he would drink on request « just to prove it harmless ».
Anyone who knew the distinctive smell of 2,4-D knew that he was actually drinking the real stuff.
It didn’t seem to harm him too much ― he lived to the age of 87, and almost up to the end, drove annually from Chicago to his summer home off the US east coast. He moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1980.
The product [ 2,4-D ] was definitely NOT developed to eradicate rice fields ( as was stated in the April 23, 2004 Ontario College of Family Physicians ( OCFP ) « Review Of The Effects Of Pesticides On Humans ».
ORGANIZATION – ONTARIO COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS – DISCREDITED, RADICAL, AND SCIENTIFICALLY IGNORANT MAD MEN PRETENDING TO BE SCIENTISTS WHO ARE LAZY & STUPID ( Web-Page )
CONVENTIONAL PRODUCT – 2,4-D HERBICIDE – EVALUATIONS & ASSESSMENTS ( Web-Page )
2,4-D is a highly improbable herbicide to be used to « eradicate » rice.
In fact, it very quickly became the world’s most widely used rice herbicide, used to protect rice from yield-destroying invasive weeds.
It is still extensively used by Japanese rice growers today.
It has been an important tool used to increase rice production world-wide ( and the production of wheat, barley, corn, oats, rye, etc … ) and thus having a significant impact on reducing world hunger.
That so-called fact as stated in the OCFP report alone makes the entire « review » suspect.
And, a closer examination reveals that nothing of what is presented should even be considered.
So now we have Paul Tukey ( said to be a failed and bankrupt lawn care operator who was apprehended by local authorities for applying pest control products without the necessary licensing, according to Force Of Nature ) coming to Canada with a bunch of lies, scare tactics and innuendos and attempting to take supremacy over what a distinguished scientist like Milt Carleton continued to defend all through his life in a very effective way.
By the way, it is thought by many that the reason Tukey is coming up here at this time is that some of the activists in Ontario and elsewhere have decided not to take as strident actions as they have been doing simply because of the threatened and ongoing lawsuits against both organizations and individuals.
Solution ― bring in an American who will be free of actions by we Canadians.
That also brings up another interesting point.
When Tukey returns to the U.S. will he be reporting his « profits » both direct payments and other « goodies » he received in Canada to the Canadian and/or American tax authorities ?
I understand he does not accept a penny for any of these appearances; instead he has all such monies directed to his little business « SafeLawns » and thus tax-free.
I believe Paul Tukey ought to have been BANNED from entry to Canada since he is clearly trying to interfere with the court fights which are currently going on here with regard to the banning of 2,4-D and other « cosmetic lawn chemicals » both in Ontario, and against the federal government ( by Dow AgroSciences ) as regards the banning in Québec.
CULPRIT – TUKEY, PAUL – THE BIN LADEN OF ENVIRONMENTAL-TERRORISM ( Web-Page )
The worst of this whole mess is that if they remain successful, the enviro-maniacs will go after items such as chemical fertilizers next, and non-native plants will not be far behind that.
Do we want that ?
If folks do not want to use the perfectly safe, Canadian-government-approved chemicals to control weeds and other garden problems, then they are welcome to do so.
But those who wish to go a simpler route should have the right to do so, and not be dictated to by a small bunch of enviro-maniacs who know little or nothing about the very large topic on which they profess to be experts !
And, we don’t need any further Americanization of gardens and gardening here in Canada.
Just ask any American tourist what they think of our gardens and cities vs. theirs in the U.S. !
Background Information
Doctor R. Milton Carleton
Doctor R. Milton Carleton is a FOUNDER of the Modern Green Space Industry in North America.
In 1957, Doctor Carleton published « New Way to Kill Weeds », in which he discussed at length about 2,4–D.
He was also a founder and a member of the FIRST Board of Directors of The Illinois Turfgrass Foundation, a trade association founded on December 22nd, 1959 in the State of Illinois.
Doctor Carleton also wrote articles for several prestigious organizations, such as American Horticultural Society and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
In 1959, he published the book « Your Lawn, How To Make It and Keep It », as well as « The Small Garden Book » in 1971.
Background Information
City of Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, with a population of almost 80,000.
In 2011, the City of Nanaimo IMPOSED PROHIBITION against pest control products used in the Urban Landscape.
The PROHIBITION was NEEDLESS, SENSELESS, and MALICIOUS.
Pest control products are HEALTH-CANADA-APPROVED, FEDERALLY-LEGAL, SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE, PRACTICALLY-NON-TOXIC, and CAUSE NO HARM.
Nanaimo is also affectionately known as « The Hub of Lunatic Environmental Terror on Vancouver Island ».
Some of the local newspapers, such as Nanaimo News Bulletin, are also CORRUPTED by Anti-Pesticide Activists.
The Nanaimo City Council was/is INFESTED with Anti-Pesticide Activists who DO THE BIDDING of Anti-Pesticide Organizations.
The following Anti-Pesticide Organizations operate in Nanaimo ―
● Canadian Cancer Society
● Pesticide Abatement or Pesticide Action Nanaimo,
● Pesticide Free BC
ORGANIZATIONS – ANTI-PESTICIDE & ENVIRONMENTAL-TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS ( Web-Page )
Background Information
Canadian Cancer Society Is Truth-Challenged
Nancy Falconer of Canadian Cancer Society introduced herself as a so-called « expert » to the City of Nanaimo.
Canadian Cancer Society is a CONTEMPTIBLE, SUBVERSIVE, and RADICAL Anti-Pesticide Organization.
Falconer was/is a Truth-Challenged Non-Expert Paid-For-Profit Anti-Pesticide Lunatic.
Falconer was asked if she or Canadian Cancer Society had heard of any LEGAL CHALLENGES arising from PROHIBITION.
Nancy Falconer explained that she HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES [ ?!?! ], and had plenty of literature that suggests the success rate of PROHIBITIONS in other municipalities.
Falconer was a Lying-Sac-of-Lunatic-Cwap !
Falconer knew full well that, in January 2010, the Green Space Industry outlined the list of CHARGES against the Government of Ontario and Anti-Pesticide Government Officials working in the Ministry of the Environment.
Additionally, Falconer provided Nanaimo with stories that showed that landscaping retailers located in areas with PROHIBITION had NOT SUFFERED ECONOMICALLY, due to the period of transition provided.
Yet again, Cancer-Vixen Falconer was a Lying-Sac-of-Lunatic-Cwap !
Falconer knew full well about the CATASTROPHIC CARNAGE CAUSED BY PESTICIDE BANS.
PROHIBITION DESTROYED the Professional Lawn Care Industry across Canada !
ORGANIZATION – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY – SUBVERSIVE, CONTEMPTIBLE, AND RADICAL ( Web-Page )
ORGANIZATION – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY – NO DIRECT PROOF PESTICIDES CAUSE CANCER ( Web-Page )
ORGANIZATION – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY – REFERENCES FOR LITIGATION ( Web-Page )
Background Information
Carnage Caused By Prohibition
PROHIBITION led to the ANNIHILATION of Professional Lawn Care businesses in Nanaimo.
Two business owners had predicted that PROHIBITION WOULD DAMAGE their businesses because Green Alternative Pesticides SIMPLY DO NOT WORK.
According to Blake Howe of Bumble Bee Lawn Care ―
I started out 100 per cent organic about five years ago, but because I was expected to bring home money, I switched to [ selective pesticide use ].
I was losing half my clients after a year or two when the weeds return.
If there is a ban, I will have to change my business.
CARNAGE LEADING TO BUSINESS FAILURES ( Web-Page )
Background Information
Nanaimo’s Illegal Green Alternative Concoctions
The City of Nanaimo issued its own recommendations for Green Alternatives to conventional pest control products.
According to Nanaimo’s SUBVERSIVE advertisement ―
The health risks associated with using pesticides vary from mild irritation of the skin or eyes to cancer and nervous system disruption. [ Wrong ! ]
If the City of Nanaimo was so concerned about HEALTH, then why is it recommending ILLEGAL, BOGUS, UNTESTED, DANGEROUS, and POTENTIALLY DEADLY ILLEGAL CONCOCTIONS designed to replace conventional pest control products ?
Examples of Nanaimo’s ILLEGAL CONCOCTIONS ―
● Hot or Cayenne Pepper Spray
● Gin and Vinegar Spray
● Rubbing Alcohol Spray
It is a VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW to recommend or sell products for controlling pests that are NOT registered under the Pest Control Products Act.
VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW – LYING AND CHEATING WITH PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ( Web-Page )
VIOLATING PROHIBITION – BLITZKRIEGS AND TERRORISM BY ANTI-PESTICIDE NAZIS
Background Information
Nanaimo’s Government Official Is Truth-Challenged
Thoroughfares, like streets and roads, are transportation routes connecting one location to another.
Because of Nanaimo’s Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION, THOROUGHFARES LOOK LIKE GARBAGE DUMPS.
Not surprisingly, Nanaimo’s TRUTH-CHALLENGED Anti-Pesticide Government Officials LIE and LIE and LIE and LIE.
They attempt to DECEIVE THE PUBLIC by FALSELY ALLEGING that their PESTICIDE BAN is somehow NOT responsible for UGLY WEEDS GROWING IN ROAD CRACKS.
According to Anti-Pesticide Councillor Jim Kipp ―
The GROWING PROLIFERATION OF UNSIGHTLY WEEDS in cracks in the centre medians of the city’s thoroughfares this summer LIKELY HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH THE CITY’S BAN on many toxic pesticides.
CARNAGE LEADING TO BAN FAILURES ( Web-Page )
Background Information
Integrated Pest Management Is A Dismal Failure
In 1994, Nanaimo decreed that care for all city-owned properties must be done in accordance with Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ).
It is now common knowledge that Integrated Pest Management is a DISMAL FAILURE.
It is IMPOSSIBLE for Nanaimo to keep its thoroughfares WEED-FREE by using IPM.
It is also IMPOSSIBLE for Nanaimo to keep its properties playable and beautiful by using IPM.
FAILURE OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT ( IPM ) – #@!!% IPM NONSENSE ( Web-Page )
Background Information
Pesticide Ban Mean Weed Invasion In Nanaimo
Nonetheless, Anti-Pesticide Councillor Kipp FALSELY ALLEGES that the WEEDS THAT ARE GROWING THROUGH THE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT on Nanaimo’s streets and roads is PROBABLY NOT CONNECTED TO THE PESTICIDE BAN.
According to Anti-Pesticide Councillor Jim Kipp ―
It’s been a pretty prolific year for weeds and other plants so far and I expect our workers are behind schedule and likely just haven't got to dealing with all of them yet.
Kipp cannot possibly be brought to admit that Nanaimo’s Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION is leading to GARBAGE DUMP thoroughfares and green spaces.
It is now accepted as a fact that Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION leads to the PROBLEM OF WEED INVASION.
Because of the Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION, Municipal Employees have had to resort to the BACK-BREAKING and AGONIZING JOB of WEED PULLING BY HAND USING HOES AND SCRAPERS !
Consequently, Nanaimo’s Municipal Employees have been DEVALORIZED into a group of mere WEED-PICKING NIGGARS.
FORCE OF NATURE — BRITISH COLUMBIA CONSPIRACY — NANAIMO — 2012 07 14 — CARNAGE — GARBAGE DUMP — WEEDS IN ROAD CRACKS ( Reports )
Background Information
Art C. Drysdale
Media highlights and accomplishments
Mr. Drysdale is one of Canada’s best-known horticulturists.
Mr. Drysdale is best known for his syndicated radio show and commercials for the Garden Claw.
For the past four decades, he has been writing, and presenting radio and television broadcasts, with PRACTICAL GARDENING HINTS on stations such as CFRB, AM740 and CFCA.
His radio GARDENING VIGNETTES are heard throughout South-Western Ontario over two radio stations ―
● Easy 101 FM out of Tillsonburg at 2:00 PM weekdays
● CD98.9 FM out of Norfolk County at 11:40 AM weekdays
Mr. Drysdale also presented all of Canada’s Weather Network GARDENING VIGNETTES, hourly from April to October annually for a decade.
He was the spokesman for the Garden Claw across the country.
As a speaker, Mr. Drysdale has addressed amateur and professional groups all across Canada, as well as in the United States, England, Holland, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, and aboard cruise ships.
Fields of study and alma mater
1958 – 1961 ― Mr. Drysdale attended The Niagara Parks Commission School of Gardening ( now NPC Botanical Garden and School of Horticulture ), where he won all five awards presented at the graduation. He initiated and edited the school’s first yearbook.
1957 ― He graduated from East York Collegiate with the Ontario Secondary School Honour Graduation Diploma.
1955 – 1969 ― He was active and held several executive positions in the East York Garden Club.
Notable work at Shur-Gain
March 1961 – August 1962 ― After graduation, Mr. Drysdale worked with the Shur-Gain Division of Canada Packers where he …
● consulted with consumers and the turf industry
● developed new consumer fertilizer products ( Feed ‘n Weedaway )
● wrote various consumer literature
Notable work with Sheridan Nurseries
1962 – 1969 ― Mr. Drysdale was then employed with Sheridan Nurseries Limited.
Drysdale was Chief Horticulturist and Advertising Manager, with full responsibility for Sheridan catalogues and botanical nomenclature.
Notable work with Parks/Recreation Association
1964 ― Mr. Drysdale was appointed part-time Executive Director and Editor with the Canadian Parks/Recreation Association ( CP/RA ), with the office in his home.
1969 – 70 ― He was employed full-time as Executive Director of Canadian Parks/Recreation Association, and Editor of Recreation Canada magazine.
Early 1971 ― He set up Canadian Parks/Recreation Association’s first permanent office in Ottawa.
Notable work with Garden Writers Association
1973 ― Mr. Drysdale was appointed Regional Director ( Canada ) of the Garden Writers Association of America ( GWAA ).
1979 – 1981 ― He served as President of the Garden Writers Association of America, and was the first-ever Canadian to hold the office, representing over 1,000 members, mostly in the U.S.A.
Notable work with publications
December 1963 – March 1969 ― Mr. Drysdale wrote a feature column for a new magazine, CANADIAN NURSERYMAN. He was also a member of the founding committee.
1971 – 1978 ― He free-lanced as a horticultural writer, and published/edited RECREATION CANADA magazine.
Notable work with books
March 1975 ― Dent Canada published Mr. Drysdale’s book GARDENING OFF THE GROUND that he wrote on the invitation of the publisher. It was the first Canadian book for balcony gardeners.
July 1996 ― He self-published his book GARDENING OFF THE GROUND in a completely revised and enlarged version, including his own colour photos.
GARDENING OFF THE GROUND is Canada’s most successful and most practical book on container gardening.
April 2012 ― In 2012, Mr. Drysdale rereleased a NEW EDITION of GARDENING OFF THE GROUND.
It has 168 pages, 70 sketches, six pages of colour photos and cover photo of my balcony. Now, breaking news,
Mr. Drysdale also converted the book into an e-book which avoids all the costs of printing, shipping and handling.
For a copy, simply send Mr. Drysdale an e-mail to art@artdrysdale.com OR call this Toronto number 647-977-7507.
Mr. Drysdale today
A life-long resident of Toronto, Mr. Drysdale is now a resident of Parksville, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, just north of Nanaimo.
He has renovated an old home and has a new garden there.
Drysdale’s Wisdom
In his daily radio GARDENING VIGNETTES, and his weekly I-CAN-GARDEN BLOG, Mr. Drysdale has effectively and consistently spoken out against activists and anti-pesticide prohibitions.
THE WISDOM OF DRYSDALE, ART C. – CELEBRITY EXPERT HORTICULTURIST ( Web-Page )
For the original copy of this Force Of Nature Report, go to the following link …
NORAHG has archived more information on The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
THE PESTICIDE TRUTHS WEB-SITE
THE WISDOM OF HEPWORTH, LORNE – THE NATION'S MOST EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT SPOKESMAN ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF HOLLAND, JOHN J. – THE NATION'S MOST ELOQUENT AND INTELLIGENT WRITER ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF MAINS, HOWARD ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMONS, KEITH R. AND SANDRA ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF THE FRASER INSTITUTE ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF ELIZABETH M. WHELAN AND AMERICAN COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH ( ACSH, Web-Page )
PESTICIDE BANS ARE A FARCE ( Report )
THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF REPORTS & REFERENCES