There are some ideas below to help with writing letters to local media to gain momentum in trying to get the city to inform citizens about West Nile and pesticide spraying. Try to also mention Beyond Today in your letters and efforts to create a no-spray neighborhood. Also, there are addresses and web instructions for online letter writing. Remember to put something in the subject field of your letters (such as West Nile Pesticide Spraying).

Keeping West Nile in Prospective

There were 24,671 deaths in Illinois in 2002. Of those deaths the most were from cancer at 1,562 and West Nile accounted for 67 deaths. In comparison, WNV is not the most serious health problem that citizens face today.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 80% of the people who have West Nile in their bodies show no symptoms. 20% show mild flu-like symptoms and less than 1% get seriously sick.
Those most likely to get sick from West Nile and die are aged 65 and older, and those with suppressed immune systems.
Clark Chemical, the company that makes Anvil, is the only company doing pesticide spraying. Members working for the company are the ones who test traps and test for the West Nile Virus. If found in traps they decide to spray the area. This is a conflict of interest.
Meetings in other cities, including New York City, have been held to form no spray areas so that pesticides cannot be sprayed if citizens do not want to be sprayed.

Angles To Come At In Your Letters

Concern of Environmental Hazards with Spraying Pesticides

Last year there was not a city wide notification about the date and times that areas were going to be sprayed. What measures is the city taking to improve their notification about spraying? What should citizens do when their neighborhoods are being sprayed?
What long term affects does spraying pesticides have on the other insects and wildlife? Will there be more problems from killing off other bugs that are beneficial?
Are there other ways to decrease mosquitoes such as more bats, releasing dragon flies or preying mantis, planting containers with citronella or other plants? Is the city implementing any of these alternative methods?
What costs are tax payers incurring for the spraying of pesticides and do they really work? One expert said that the spray is only effective in killing mosquitoes while the they are flying and only at the time they are being sprayed. How much money is the city spending on preventive measures such as educating the public about West Nile and who is affected, how to keep water from accumulating for mosquito breeding, and when to avoid going outside when misquotes are biting?
Beyond Today has an ongoing petition to obtain a no spray neighborhood for more information logon to their website at: www.BeyondToday.com

Mom Point of View

Last year there was not a city wide notification about the date and times that areas were going to be sprayed. What measures is the city taking to improve their notification about spraying. What should citizens do when their neighborhoods are being sprayed?
What kinds of programs are the city organizing to educate the public about how to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes
If children are outside when the pesticide is sprayed or if they come into contact with the pesticide after it has been sprayed what action should parents take to avoid any problems?
What costs are tax payers incurring for the spraying of pesticides and do they really work? What preventive measures is the city taking so that communities are not sprayed?
Personal story about when they were spraying pesticide last year.
Beyond Today has an ongoing petition to obtain a no spray neighborhood for more information logon to their website at: www.BeyondToday.com

Concern for those over 50 and with those with weakened immune systems

Last year there was not a city wide notification about the date and times that areas were going to be sprayed. What measures is the city taking to improve their notification about spraying. What should citizens do when their neighborhoods are being sprayed?
Elderly people who are the most threatened by West Nile need to be educated on how to stay away from mosquitoes. What programs does the city have in place to educate the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Beyond Today has an ongoing petition to obtain a no spray neighborhood for more information logon to their website at: www.BeyondToday.com

General Point of View

Last year there was not a city wide notification about the date and times that areas were going to be sprayed. What measures is the city taking to improve their notification about spraying. What should citizens do when their neighborhoods are being sprayed?
What kinds of programs are the city working on to control mosquitoes- such as standing water and the role citizens share in this process.
What kinds of programs are the city organizing to educate the public about how to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes?
What costs are tax payers incurring for the spraying of pesticides and do they really work? What preventive measures is the city taking so that communities are not sprayed?
Personal story about when they were spraying pesticide last year.
Beyond Today has an ongoing petition to obtain a no spray neighborhood for more information logon to their website at: www.BeyondToday.com
Sources to Write Letters To:

Chicago Reader

Letter to Editor

11 E. Illinois

Chicago, IL 60611

Email: letters@chicagoreader.com

Chicago Free Press

3845 N. Broadway

Chicago, IL 60613

www.chicagofreepress.com

On website highlight “News” and go down to bottom to “Send Letter to Editor”

Chicago Tribune

435 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60601

www.chicagotribune.com

For web- on left side there is a column. Near bottom is “About us” and under that click on “contact us” . On that page click on “Voice of the People”

Chicago Sun Times

www.suntimes.com

For Web: on left side click “Commentary” then on that page select “Submit Letter”

Conscious Choice

Suggesting A Story:

Email: editor@consciouschoice.com

Address: 920 N. Franklin, Ste.202,

Chicago, IL 60610

Letter to Editor:

Email: editor@consciouschoice.com

Same address as above just add: to editor

WGN Radio

435 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60611

www.wgnradio.com

For web: On left side under “Features” click on “Contact Us” then click on “News Staff” and pick a newsperson to send a letter to

National Public Radio Bureau Chicago Division

230 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60601

Email: Questions@ChicagoPublicRadio.org

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sample letter:

Letter to Editor

Subject: Spraying Pesticides & West Nile

I live in the Greater Rockwell area just west of Western and Lawrence Ave. I am concerned about West Nile and how the city is going to spray pesticides to combat mosquitoes. Last year there was not a city wide notification about the date and times that areas were going to be sprayed. Trucks sprayed streets while people were outside and residents did not close their windows.

One expert said that the pesticide is only effective in killing mosquitoes while the they are flying and only at the time they are being sprayed. No long term studies have been done on this pesticide and its long term effects on humans, wildlife, and helpful insect population. Pesticides could cause more harm down the line than the mosquitoes are causing right now.

There are other ways to combat West Nile: educating the public (especially the elderly) on how to avoid being bitten, releasing insects or bats that eat mosquitoes, and preventing standing water.

Our neighborhood organization, Beyond Today, has an ongoing petition to obtain a no spray neighborhood for more information logon to their website at: www.BeyondToday.com or email BeyondToday@BeyondToday.com.

Thank You,

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