Grass Roots Events

Here are Gerald Weber's much appreciated notes from our June 19, 2003, meeting! Sz

Attendance: 25-30 people

Suzanne welcomed group and gave brief intro of how she got involved and what Grass Roots has accomplished thus far.

Melanie Ariens from Citizens for a Healthy Community in Whitefish Bay spoke about: Their organization linking up with Citizens for a Better Environment Developing a brochure and web site that can be used by all interested communities. Perhaps recruiting graduate students to help evaluate pesticide free areas. The success their group has had in working with their Village Board to set up pesticide free areas in WFB

Martha Lunz from Glendale Natural Landscaping Committee spoke about: Their resolution, introduced before the Glendale Common Council, calling for the municipality to cease the planting of non-native invasive plants. Glendale has established three native plant areas.

Gale Becker from the Foxpoint/Bayside School Board spoke about: The Healthy Schools Bill (sponsored by Alberta Darling) which has not yet passed Foxpoint/Bayside is one of the few school districts in the state to have restricted pesticide use. Also discussed half-life of pesticides (MUCH longer than 24 hours!!)and posting requirements.

Kate Teipel spoke about the origin of her friendly pesticide-free lawn signs

Bill Gruber from SF Analytical Labs spoke about: The testing his company does on water run-off and waste water discharge A proposal that his firm supply pesticide free signs for customers who have their drinking wells tested. If they stop using or don't use pesticides. DNR mandates that municipalities test storm water. This info should be in the public record and could be utilized

OPEN DISCUSSION

Many interesting and useful ideas/proposals/ resources/alliances were discussed, among them:

• Children's Hospital is distributing brochures warning of the dangers of pesticide use.
• The Women's Breast Cancer Network is also working to raise awareness.
• Greener pastures, an alternative, molasses-based tweed and feed is available though their web site http://www.greenerpastures.com
• http://www.greenbook.net (com?) is a web site which analyses the content of commercial pesticides For the Shorewood Community
• it was suggested that we recruit a friendly person on the Village Board Perhaps we could get Alberta Darling or Sheldon Wasserman to host an event.
• Scientific and friendly could be an effective tone for our organization, but some members recounted instances when direct confrontation lead to a reduction in usage.
• Perhaps we could work through schools (a la the stop smoking movement) Children are seen as less judgmental and therefore can be more effective.
• Letter writing to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel whenever a pesticide related article appears-especially first hand, human interest-type accounts.
• Recruitment of health professionals is key to establish credibility of organization when making presentations, etc.

FUTURE GOALS/NEEDS

• Start planning for Fall Event, in collaboration with other grass roots groups, with Warren Porter as speaker.
• Compile list of organizations who might help with publicity for this.
• Continue work on flyer, hopefully in collaboration with WFB
• Look into writing a grant proposal
• Generate a contact list for Grass Roots which lists areas of members' expertise
• Delegation of duties in our organization.