Editors note: In response to recent news about Cook County’s efforts to “get a handle” on noxious weeds and insects and the June 6, 2009 Cook County Agricultural Inspector notice informing the public that Local Weed Inspectors are “township supervisors, city mayors or their appointed assistants,” this cartoon was submitted by Orvis Lunke of Grand Marais.
I am writing in response to the “General Notice” to control or eradicate noxious weeds and grasshoppers. What?
The taxpaying public owns less than 10 percent of the land area in Cook County. How can an average citizen be responsible for all of the noxious weed problem when government is in charge? I have yet to see more than two grasshoppers together in 30-plus years of living in Cook County.
What is a noxious weed? I personally do not like thistle or dandelions, but they thrive here even when cut, dug up or sprayed. I think the agriculture (Ag) inspector should get real and concentrate on things that truly are a detriment to the average property owner in Cook County and stop making work to justify a position and the costs involved.
The Cook County Board should be aware that every nitpicking item created by their employees affects not only us but them too. Wake up County Board!
Tom Thompson
Colvill
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