Jackson Mayor Mark Seda and his Township Council have made some tough decisions that required a good deal of political courage while raising the ire of some residents. But they have done what they were elected to do and they have made the right decisions for Jackson.
In particular was the decision to opt out of the state gypsy moth spraying program last year. That was the right decision for several reasons. First, the state’s aerial spraying programis not effective. Spraying the pesticide Bt from the air has done little to nothing to stop the moths. So why pay to have it done when facts show it does not work? That is just throwing money away and I commend the mayor for his fiscal prudence in this matter.
Second, the mayor investigated what measures do work and made strides to implement them. Finally, and not surprisingly, those in Jackson who have been the loudest vocal critics of Seda’s plan are his Democratic opponents and their supporters who, characteristically, seem to expect government to solve their problems rather than looking to themselves.
We can’t afford that. That is their responsibility; not the job of our local government or even of the state for that matter. Protect public land, yes, but not private property. I wonder if these same critics will want Jackson to mow their lawns and trim their shrubs next.
Gypsy moths are cyclical pests, reappearing periodically no matter what we do to interfere. When they strike, the weaker trees may die off, but the healthy ones will live. This is natural selection and we would be ill-advised to try to prevent it lest we induce the next cycle to be even worse than the one we have now. Homeowners can take steps to mitigate the damage from the pests.
Mayor Seda did the right thing and I hope he decides to forego any further participation in the state program this year, too. That would be another tough decision to make, but he and his council members have shown they are up to the job.
Joseph K. Schulman
Jackson