City Council Voting History?

[Byrns]

Does anyone know where I could find who voted for what on city council? This proposed pesticide ban has me really ticked off. Talk about a waste of time and money!

[McMack]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but the following Herald article had a summary of some of the Councillor's positions:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...1b3826dd10&p=2

I don't think this discussion is a waste of time and money. It's an issue I haven't made up my mind on yet and I am interested in hearing the debate.

[Clarkey]

I'm getting sick of civic politicians obsession with over-governing. One of the more asinine ones I read recently is that Brian Pinco wants to ban drive through windows.

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by McMack

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but the following Herald article had a summary of some of the Councillor's positions:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...1b3826dd10&p=2

I don't think this discussion is a waste of time and money. It's an issue I haven't made up my mind on yet and I am interested in hearing the debate.

Thanks for the link.

It's dumb because stores will still be able to sell the chemicals, and the city would need to hire at least 3 enforcement officers to catch people. It's a waste of time and money unless you get the province to ban the chemicals.

I'm getting sick of civic politicians obsession with over-governing.

+1

[habernac]

I think the point is to stop the city from spraying that crap everywhere. I doubt they'd go to any lengths to go after someone working on their own lawn.

[McMack]

Originally Posted by habernac

I think the point is to stop the city from spraying that crap everywhere. I doubt they'd go to any lengths to go after someone working on their own lawn.

I have no problem with people using stuff in their own yard so long as they can guarantee it will stay in their yard and not wash into my yard and start killing stuff.

Weed and feed is one product that I might support a ban on.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I'm impressed, we're 6 posts into a topic on a government decision, and we have yet to see the standard

"Tax Grab" reply, that comes with anything the government does.

Bravo!

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by habernac

I think the point is to stop the city from spraying that crap everywhere. I doubt they'd go to any lengths to go after someone working on their own lawn.

Unfortunately, they are trying to go to lengths to stop people from working on their own lawn...

From the Herald article linked above:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...1b3826dd10&p=1

Last month, the utilities and environment committee approved proceeding with a bylaw that would restrict the use of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides on public land and private lawns by 2011.

With municipal restrictions in place, local retailers would be unlikely to sell the products in question, but only the province can ban them from store shelves. City restrictions couldn't stop a Calgarian from buying a pesticide, but could impose a fine if they applied the chemical and someone complained.

[habernac]

That wouldn't bother me personally, but I'd be surprised if anyone could possibly enforce it. Heck, if my wife would go for it, we wouldn't have a lawn at all.

[McMack]

I thought I had heard a recent news story saying that Home Depot was planning on phasing out pesticide sales from their stores nationwide, but I could only find an oblique reference to this on Google:

http://www.uptownmag.com/2008-06-26/page2485.aspx

[old-fart]

Yet another stupid law brought to you (potentially) by city politicians with nothing better to do. I could still go buy the stuff, put it in some other container, then spray it to my hearts content. Unless a neighbor complains and does what... takes video? Has an analysis done on my grass afterwards to prove I wasn't just spraying water?

Waste of time.

[pepper24]

A lot of natural ways of keeping a clean yard without the use of pesticides. I support a ban.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Unfortunately, they are trying to go to lengths to stop people from working on their own lawn...

From the Herald article linked above:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...1b3826dd10&p=1

The funniest part is that they want to ban citizens from using it but will continue to hold exemptions for golf courses, some parks area's and special cases. Way to lead the way city!!

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by pepper24

A lot of natural ways of keeping a clean yard without the use of pesticides. I support a ban.

Sure there is. There are lots of ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle without eating meat too, should we ban cows? There are lots of ways to get around without using those damn iron horses too, should we ban cars? I'd suggest cow farts and car exhaust do more damage to the environment than pesticides, so clearly they should be banned first.

Don't even get me started on smoking... way more harmful than pesticides.

[devel]

I don't really care if the city wants to ban the use of pesticides on public parks, etc. It's similar to banning smoking in public places. Not everyone agrees with their use and some think it will make them sick so whatever. Ban them and everyone can enjoy the bugs and weeds together.

What I don't agree with is them trying to over govern the use of pesticides on private property. The gov't has deemed the use of them safe so why shouldn't I have the right to use what I want on my own lawn?

My neighbours second hand smoke wafts into my yard sometimes when he's in the backyard enjoying a cigarette. Should he be told he can't smoke in his own yard either?

Just seems like a waste of time and money to me because, like others have pointed out, it's going to be really hard to enforce.