Letter to the Editor: Mosquito control

I would like to thank the New Rockford City Commission for allowing me to voice my concern about the city providing mosquito fogging at the golf course for free. It all started when the city minutes mentioned that the city fogged at the golf course. A telephone call confirmed that the city was mosquito fogging the golf course for free. My signed complaint letter addressed to the City Commission about the free mosquito fogging was filed in City Hall on July 5th. The City Commission has stated that no complaint will be addressed unless it is signed. The complaint letter was never brought to the City Commission meeting on July 10th. On July 14th, City Hall mailed a letter to me stating: "I was directed to provide you with a response stating that the City of New Rockford owns the property that is being fogged." This letter made me feel that City Hall doesn't not want the issue aired in public. I attended the August 7th City Commission meeting and verbally expressed my concern about the free mosquito fogging. I ended my presentation with: "To be fair to the residents and businesses in the city that pay for their mosquito control, should not the City charge the NR golf course for their mosquito control." One city commissioner became very agitated at the idea of charging the golf course for the mosquito fogging. He did mention among other things that the city was giving $5000 a year to the golf course. After working with the public for over 26 years, I know that there will be no constructive discussion with a person that is agitated. The City Commission decided no action will be taken. Later in the meeting, the city commission adopted a policy that reads in part: "Empty lots with a curb stop will receive a monthly bill for sewer and/or water debt service charge; and mosquitoes and streetlights charges/fees." As most curb stops are on city property, not sure how they are going to handle that one. So the city is now billing residents for mosquito fogging on empty lots. The point is that the city is billing residents and businesses a monthly fee for mosquito fogging but is not billing for mosquito fogging that the city is providing outside city limits. If you see any injustice in that statement, call City Hall, 947-2461, and let them know what you think. You, the residents of New Rockford elect the City Commission. The City Commission is there to serve you, the residents. If you meet a city commissioner or city employee on the street, make sure and thank them for their numerous hours of service to the community.

George Ritzke

New Rockford, N.D.