Max
Ventura's 2/8/08 talk with CDFA rep:
Always
preferring to get the dirt from the horses' mouths, I got on the horn this
afternoon to call the public affairs office of CDFA, as some of you have.
I
asked
some very specific questions as people are asking me and Don't Spray
Here
are the responses from the (very nice) man who answered (916-654-0462).
The
director of the Public Affairs office is Steve Lyle (well, familiar to me via
GWSS program). I do not believe this was Steve
Lyle, but didn't get his name.
I
asked, "Is there an overall CA workplan?"
A: "If
there was one it would be front and center on the website. Let me check to see
if anything shows up that I haven't gotten updated yet. The latest info in on a
press release dated 1/22. As far as anything being posted soon, I don't know
when updated."
I
then told him I was from DSC and was getting inquiries for which I am trying
to get
answers. I asked him, "When was an emergency declared by the state, and when
by
the feds?"
He
said, "What was your organization called?" I repeated. He said, "Again,
I'd direct
you to the website. I'm not sure if it's considered quote unquote an emergency
but press releases would have a timeline." He then looked on the site saying he
was using his employee backdoor version of the website as it's easier to find
things (Hmm. Very interesting concept. Is CDFA intentionally hiding things away
from the public?). He said to click on ënews', then ëpress releases', then
2008.
Then
I
asked, "Who originated the call? How did this program get underway?"
He
said, "Hmm ñ I'm really not sure necessarily." Then he said, "Do you mean
USDA or
CDFA?"
I
replied, "Well, yes, or was it conventional growers, like with the Glassy-winged
Sharpshooter, who wrecked their soil; had problems; and then cried for
a bailout?"
He
said, "I'm sorry, I'm not able to answer. No one in my office can help you right now
(in meetings) but I can deflect your call to the hotline." Then he suggested
contacting and asking questions at lbam@cdfa.ca.gov.
I asked
whether there is an accurate map on the site, with an accurate listing of each
of the cities, counties, and unincorporated areas on the list to be sprayed. He
said,
I
asked, "Who is the doctor for CDFA for this program? Is it Peter Kurtz?" He
replied, "I'm not sure. I'm trying to look on the website but I'm not seeing
it."
Finally,
I
asked, "Who's the main point person in the office re: GWSS?" He said he was
looking at a contact sheet and it said Bob Wynn. Same as in
2000.
This all from the person answering the phone of the public affairs
office of CDFA.
Either way, intentional or not, people not handy on computer or people
homebound with MCS and frequent accompanying
electrical sensitivity are left in the dust.
Totally unfair, at very least.
If intentional, it sure read like legal papers: For the 113th time, I don't remember