emailed to Ward 47 office and cc to Beyond Today Friday 9/8/2006

Hello there!
It's Nancy Benjamin of Lincoln Square Garden Walk, Greening of Ravenswood PR and now advising with the new upcoming Ravenswood Community Council's green fair. I have a very crucial request and Andrea suggested I write to this email.

Please DO NOT SPRAY THE WARD FOR WEST NILE VIRUS.

Anvil is a neuro-toxin! It causes loss of coordination, tremors, tingling, numbness, irritates the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Vomiting or central nervous system suppression can occur! Surely, you don't want to expose the citizens of the 47th ward to this!

In addition to the effect of the two active ingredients, they are dissolved in a petroleum solvent, as described by State of NY Dept. of Public Health as "similar to kerosene or paint thinner". (http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/westnile/pdf/2738.pdf#search=%22Anvil%20spray%22)

Would you spray petroleum or paint thinner on organic gardens? Or grass where your kids play? Gardeners are even recommended to pick all produce before the spraying. In short, Anvil is poisonous!

That NY State website I referred you to is excellent in declaiming the side effects of Anvil. Now let's look at W. Nile. In August, there were only 7 cases in all of Cook County, none fatal. Let's not poison or ground, food, enviroment and cause side effects for an area not greatly affected.

I'm writing you because I'm a strong advocate, as I know Ald. Schulter is, for greening in the area. Let's not undo the positive, healthy efforts we're making by blinding following a spray schedule that poisons us and our enviroment.

Please contact me to let me know how I can help prevent this tragic spraying, or if you have any questions regarding W. Nile or Anvil research as I've looked at this subject extensively. My cel is 312-286-0956

Thank you,
Nancy Benjamin

Lincoln Square Garden Walk and Green Fair