On 2/3/04 2:16 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Mayor Rybak Ignores Campaign Promises: > http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=826&mode=&order=0 > & > Look in this article for the Worst Local Politician part: > http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=847&mode=&order=0 > > Some of you have pointed out that my mention of R.T.'s promise to Green Party > activists to make a ban on phosphorus lawn chemicals his top priority is > potentially off base because of actions taken by the city government prior to > R.T. becoming mayor. This is innacurrate. > > The resolution passed by the city council and signed by (then Mayor) Belton > bans the sale of phosphorus lawn chemicals in the city of Minneapolis. I > actually called True Green Chemlawn earlier today and spoke to someone about > having my lawn potentially treated by them in the spring (BTW, I don't > actually have a lawn-- I was just doing this to get the accurate info). I > made it very clear that I live in Minneapolis and that I want phosphorus > used--I even specifically asked "can you for sure use phosphorus in > Minneapolis?". > > He assured me that he could and that they do...I told him I'd call back closer > to spring. > > It's illegal to sell the stuff here, but not illegal to use it...or at least > the language is vauge enough that it's being ignored. > > So here's the thing folks...even if I had made a mistake here on the > phosphorus issue (which it turns out I didn't)-- I still think my point > would've been made. My choosing RT as the worst politician of the year is > based on a pattern rather than any one specific issue. RT ran as a > progressive outsider who would always fight for the little guys-- his lack of > being this "champion for the people" is why I have chosen to be so harsh on > him lately in my writing. I use examples to make points to support my > stances, but my stance remains firm and well thought out without any of these > specific examples-- (like the fact that RT was on CNN right away...instead of > in the neighborhood when riots broke out in North Minneapolis over the > police's shooting of a child). I regret to inform Mr. Allison that he is, unfortunately, indeed incorrect. While the city ordinance does deal with the sale of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus, I made a mistake yesterday when I wrote that the state statute dealing with phosphorus in fertilizer was also a ban on sales. It's actually a use restriction (not a complete ban because there are exceptions for new lawns, etc.). This restriction essentially bans the use of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers in the Twin Cities metro area in established lawns, since few will meet the test for insufficient phosphorus content. It doesn't matter whether the fertilizer is applied by a do-it-yourselfer or by a lawn service, it's still not allowed. Here's a link to the language: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/18C/60.html In addition, I pasted the text of the statute at the end of my post. I'm not sure why Mr. Allison was given incorrect information by the lawn service he called, but it certainly doesn't back up his argument that Rybak broke a campaign promise regarding this issue. It merely shows that he either spoke with someone who is incompetent or that the lawn service hasn't gotten wind of the new rules they're supposed to follow, which just went into effect as of January 1, 2004. Hopefully they will get that squared away before they start breaking the law in a few months by applying an illegal fertilizer. As for why it's a big deal in the context of his writings, it's because we should expect our local journalists to meet some standard of accuracy in their work if they expect to be taken seriously. Mr. Allison's errors are no different from the one made in the Strib editorial where Rybak was chided for "Fuzzy math in trying to pad his affordable housing production totals." when anybody who spent more than five minutes following that story knows that Rybak's administration was not responsible for that "fuzzy math" - they're the ones who fixed it. It's certainly anyone's right to criticize the mayor or any other elected official they disagree with. Just try and get it right when you do. It's really not that hard to check your facts. If you don't bother to do that, don't be surprised when someone criticizes your criticism... Mark Snyder Windom Park -------- 18C.60 Phosphorous turf fertilizer use restrictions. Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section. (b) "Metropolitan county" means any one of the following counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington. (c) "Turf" means noncrop land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses including, but not limited to, residential and commercial residential property, private golf courses, and property owned by federal, state, or local units of government, including parks, recreation areas, and public golf courses. Turf does not mean pasture, hayland, hay, turf grown on turf farms, or any other form of agricultural production. Subd. 2. Phosphorus use restrictions. (a) A person may not apply a fertilizer containing the plant nutrient phosphorus to turf in a metropolitan county, except under conditions listed in paragraph (d). (b) A person may not apply granular fertilizer containing greater than three percent phosphate (P205) by weight, or liquid fertilizer at a rate greater than 0.3 pound phosphate (P205) per 1,000 square feet, to turf in a county other than a metropolitan county, except under conditions listed in paragraph (d). (c) A local unit of government in a county other than a metropolitan county may adopt paragraph (a) in place of paragraph (b). The local unit of government must notify the commissioner of the adoption of paragraph (a) within 30 days of its adoption. The commissioner shall maintain a list of local units of government in counties other than a metropolitan county that have adopted paragraph (a). (d) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply when: (1) a tissue, soil, or other test by a laboratory or method approved by the commissioner and performed within the last three years indicates that the level of available phosphorus in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf growth; (2) the property owner or an agent of the property owner is first establishing turf via seed or sod procedures, and only during the first growing season; or (3) the fertilizer containing the plant food phosphorus is used on a golf course under the direction of a person licensed, certified, or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program approved by the commissioner. (e) Applications of phosphorous fertilizer authorized under paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2), must not exceed rates recommended by the University of Minnesota and approved by the commissioner. Subd. 3. Consumer information. The commissioner, in consultation with the University of Minnesota extension service, fertilizer industry representatives, lakes groups, and other interested or affected parties, must produce consumer information on use restrictions and recommended best practices for lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, and on best management practices for other residential sources of phosphorus in the urban landscape. The information must be in a format and of a content suitable for posting and distribution at retail points of sale of fertilizer that contains phosphorus and is for use on turf. Subd. 4. Research evaluation; report. The commissioner, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota extension service, and, after consultation with representatives of the fertilizer industry, lakes groups, and other interested or affected parties, shall evaluate research needs and encourage targeted research opportunities to investigate the effects of phosphorous fertilization of turf on urban stormwater quality. The commissioner must evaluate the effectiveness of the restrictions on phosphorous fertilizers under this section and report to the legislature by January 15, 2007. HIST: 2002 c 345 s 4 * NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 2002, chapter 345, *section 4, is effective January 1, 2004. Laws 2002, chapter *345, section 7. Copyright 2003 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 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