It’s not true that signs are placed when weedkilling

I AM not in the habit of replying to any comments made to any letter I have had published in the Press [3 May], because it would then become a slanging match and once I have made my point that’s usually it for me. People can make up their own minds after that. That is, unless I feel the reply is not truthful. I wrote about weed killing around the island (in early April), warning people with dogs of the danger of it should their animal lick any grass that weed killer had been sprayed on, and also the lack of a notification the area was being or had been treated with the spray. Firstly can I point out I am not stupid or blind and neither are the people living on housing estates around the island that have had weed killer sprayed along their hedges and fences. To make a statement that signs are placed when weed killing is in operation is not telling the truth. I have not only seen it where I live but on other estates as well. A member of my family actually pointed out to the man spraying weed killer in our area that he should have a notification placed around that he was doing the work. The chap was lost for words and said he did not know and would mention it to his bosses. Also, we all know without taking any courses that a quad bike driving down a road is not spot weed killing. As for the reply, saying the chemical being used is safe after holding back before replying is a brilliant ploy often used in a case like this. One can say the spray we are using is not a danger – but it does not state the spray we were using was not a danger. It’s the old tactic of holding back a reply and changing something so the statement made at the time is correct. The wording is the important thing here. I worked for a number of States departments over the years and if anyone wants to push me I can open a large can of worms just from my time. I know how they work. So please do not tell me my comments were wrong or call me a liar. I am not a stupid man and all may have changed since my letter and the States being asked to reply – but I, as well as you guys, know damn well what the score is. Just as a matter of interest. Even a person in politics said they had noticed the lack of signs when the weed killer was sprayed in their area. They may well have said something about it behind the scenes, one never knows in this day and age of cover-ups.