I am writing in reference to the letter written by Tom Thompson concerning a General Notice posted by the Cook County Agricultural Inspector (aka: Weed/Grasshopper Inspector) in the June 6, 2009 edition of the News-Herald. The General Notice informed the public that responsibility and cost for the eradication of noxious weeds and grasshoppers on privately owned land was to be laid on their shoulders. Should property owners not comply, the inspector could hire a contractor and costs incurred would be assessed to your property taxes.
Thompson took issue with the notice. He wondered what plants were to be considered noxious weeds and stated that he has not experienced a grasshopper problem in Cook County during the thirty years he has resided here.
County Agricultural Inspector is a second title worn by our County Highway Engineer Shae Kosmalski. She is paid an additional $6000 per year to perform these duties outside of her regular work schedule.
Kosmalski’s full time salaried position as Cook County Highway Engineer includes a full county benefits package and a “take home” county vehicle. The additional compensation figure of $6000 is more than double what her predecessor was paid as “Ag” Inspector.
The increase was requested by Kosmalski earlier this year and was approved by the county board. Is the County Highway Engineer required to have any expertise in botany or entomology to perform these duties?
Many plants we consider to be wildflowers are non-native…Lupine, Forget-me-nots, Orange Hawkweed, Yellow Iris and Day Lilies to name a few. Might they be included?
Will other insects besides grasshoppers be added to the list private property owners will be required to eradicate? Gypsy moth, forest tent caterpillar, emerald ash borer and some earthworm species certainly cause more damage currently than grasshoppers.
It could get quite costly to control these pests on your property. About ninety percent of our county is not privately owned…will government be required to be as diligent on lands in their control? Weed seeds and insects do not respect property lines.
Would it be more cost effective to eradicate the ob-noxious County “Ag” Inspector?
Bob LaMettry Pike Lake Road
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