Sedona AZ (October 13, 2016) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:
Candidates for a Toxin Free RRREMD FACT CHECK 2016 Board of Directors ELECTION
ToxinFreeRRREMD.com
The following are fact checks on statements made on the campaign website for RRREMD candidates Mark Mumaw, Joanne Johnson and Dave Norton (rrremd2016.com):
1. “Re-elect Mumaw Johnson Norton”
FACT: Mumaw, Johnson and Norton were not elected to the RRREMD Board by the RRREMD voters; they were appointed by county supervisors. Source: improvementdistrictservices.com/redrockroademd.html
2. “The candidates that have proven to keep your taxes low”
FACT: In FY 12/13, the fiscal year before Mumaw, Johnson and Norton took office, the annual RRREMD tax (Ad Valorem Tax) was $60,000. During their 4 years in office, it has gone up to $90,000. Source: improvementdistrictservices.com/redrockroademd/rrremdannualbudgets.html
3. “The safe EPA approved product used by the RRREMD for weed control is about as toxic as baking soda.”
FACT: From the EPA website: “EPA generally has not allowed the use of ‘safe’ in labeling because it has been considered to be false or misleading. EPA does not approve claims that suggest a pesticide is safe….” Source: epa.gov/pesticide-labels/pesticide-labeling-questions-answers
FACT: Two herbicides are used for weed control in the RRREMD: Roundup QuikPRO and Surflan (oryzalin) or its substitute Quali-Pro Oryzalin 4 Pro. Both have well documented hazards.
Roundup QuikPRO hazards:
A. Probably carcinogenic to humans. Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer of World Health Organization: iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf
B. Harmful if inhaled. Source: Product Label cdms.net/ldat/ldACK000.pdf
C. Toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Source: Product Label) cdms.net/ldat/ldACK000.pdf
D. Causes damage to kidney, liver, adrenal, ovary, thyroid or blood through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Source: Product Safety Data Sheet cdms.net/ldat/mpACK003.pdf
E. Numerous scientific studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals indicate health hazards associated with exposure to Roundup’s active ingredient glyphosate as well as its “inert” ingredients.
Source: toxinfreerrremd.com/candidates/news-feed
Surflan/Quali-Pro Oryzalin4 Pro hazards:
A. Likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Source: EPA: npic.orst.edu/chemicals_evaluated.pdf
B. High risk to non-target plants, including endangered and threatened plants, from runoff and spray drift.
Source: EPA archive.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/web/pdf/0186fact.pdf
C. Toxic to fish. Source: Product Label cdms.net/ldat/ld6EC001.pdf
D. Biodegrades slowly with a half-life [time for potency to be reduced by half] of two months.
Source: Product Label cdms.net/ldat/ld6EC001.pdf
Overgrown weeds along Red Rock Scenic Highway. Photo exclusive to SedonaEye.com.
4. “EPA Toxicity-Table download now”
FACT: The table identified as “EPA Toxicity-Table” is signed “@DocCamiRyan”. That Twitter account belongs to Cami Ryan, who describes herself as “Social sciences junkie and CDN expat working at @MonsantoCo.”
5. “The candidates employing ‘Tried and Tested’ methods of weed control while our opponents propose expensive experimental methods”
FACT: The Toxin-free RRREMD Candidates along with current RRREMD Board member Paul Gazda are proposing an Integrated Pest Management program for weed control which is strongly advocated by the EPA and “tried and tested” successfully by numerous cities including Santa Fe, NM; San Francisco, CA; Eugene, OR and Seattle, WA. The IPM program is estimated to cost only $4 per year for the average RRREMD District property.
Source: paulgazda.com./integratedPestManagement.html
FACT: The Dual Weed Barrier System that the Toxin-free RRREMD Candidates and Paul Gazda are proposing to further evaluate has been used successfully by the City of Sedona since 2010 and is expected to result in long term maintenance and irrigation savings for the RRREMD District.
Source: paulgazda.com./dualWeedBarrierSystem.html
6. An article entitled “RRREMD BOARD STUDY: WEED BARRIER NOT COST EFFECTIVE AND WILL DOUBLE TAXES IN FOUR YEARS” is posted on the rrremd2016.com site.
FACTS:
A. The article refers to a “Board study” and “cost analysis study conducted by the Board.” Neither the study nor cost analysis were requested or approved by Board vote, but were presented by Board member Mark Mumaw at the October 2015 Board meeting.
B. The article states Paul Gazda’s proposal would cost over $700,000. In reality, his proposal was for three small pilot projects estimated to cost $10,000 each, to be completed and evaluated before making a decision on the full project which Mr. Gazda estimated to cost $400,000, not $700,000. Mr. Mumaw derives his $700,000 figure by adding 3.22% to the cost of installation every year for 21 years after installation has already been completed.
SedonaEye.com article on SR Hwy 179 medians weed abatement issues brought about changes to the management of the VOC special improvement district – Exclusive SedonaEye.com photo c2010
C. The study referred to in the article uses incomplete cost data, and is based on the inferior performance of standard weed barrier and plastic. Mr. Gazda’s proposal uses costs from the RRREMD landscape contractor’s official bid and the superior performance of the Dual Weed Barrier System.
D. The article implies Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has used the Dual Weed Barrier System; but, in fact, ADOT has not used the Dual Weed Barrier System. The quotes from ADOT refer to plastic and standard weed barrier used separately, whose shortcomings are well known.
Source: Paul Gazda’s presentation to the RRREMD Board on the inaccurate and misleading information in the above article given at June 15, 2016 Board meeting. paulgazda.com./ResponseToMumawArticle.pdf
7. A letter dated July 14, 2011 written by Big Park Regional Coordinating Council President Mel Copin to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors (who were then acting as the RRREMD Board) is posted on the rrremd2016.com site. The letter states in part: “Finally, the Council unanimously endorsed awarding the contract to a bidder who relies on the proven method of weed control in these situations which emphasizes the use of traditional herbicides in using pre-emergents and spot spraying.”
FACT: In July 2011, 96 businesses located within the RRREMD on or within one block of SR 179 were asked to sign a petition in support of choosing a non-toxic weed control option for the RRREMD. Those businesses are on the front lines of RRREMD weed spraying operations. 85 of the 96 businesses signed the petition. Additionally, 3 local non-profit organizations and 183 individuals signed the petition. The petitions were sent to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors on or about July 19, 2011. In spite of this strong support for non-toxic weed control, the Board of Supervisors awarded a maintenance contract for “traditional” (i.e. toxic herbicides) maintenance.
Source: aq.co.yavapai.az.us/agenda_publish.cfm?id=&mt=BOS&get_month=8&get_year=2011&dsp=ag&seq=398
Barbara Gordon
Sedona AZ
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXeI2U0uwoc
This is the link to the video recording of the Meet and Greet and presentation on Wednesday evening. Please be informed before you vote. Thank you.
I’m shocked that no one on SE has posted any comments (hopefully good) about the 4 candidates for school board. Can someone please either start a new thread or post here. I have my ballot but don’t know one from the other.
Vote for the three that are NOT affiliated with the regional chamber.. Vote for Hawley
Wiseman
Garnello
I submitted a story about the school board Meet and Greet and Forum. Hopefully, that will get a thread going. The big question to ask the school board candidates is, “Will you support another effort to close Big Park School.”
As far at the RRREMD election, please get accurate information before you vote. Crossland, Emmanuelle and myself are running for what we believe is the responsible plan of moving toward toxin-free methods for weed control. There is growing litigation against Monsanto and their Roundup product. Currently, gallons and gallons of Roundup is being sprayed in this public space. Why wait until we are forced to stop using Roundup? Don’t be short sighted.
Mark Mumaw, Joanne Johnson and Dave Norton are democracy destroyers.
They destroyed the big Park Council and are puppets for the now defunct Supervisor Chip Davis.
They need to retire and stay home with their families. We have endured them long enough!!!!!! DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM, they were never elected, they were appointed. Liars
What an ignorant comment, I mean really!!! What in G-D’s name does the school district have to do with the CoC???
I’m liking Hawley, Weisman and Garnello and heard that Herman and Surber are connected at the hip and by electing her is like re-electing Surber. Any insight???
Can I call you Jack Daniels?
Google maps might help you.
The Village of Oak Creek is in Big Park, AZ
@@John Daniels It is a very small region. What happens in Sedona doesn’t just stay in Sedona.
It is supposed to be who can serve our community on the school board best and how we can provide a great school for our kids. Young families are leaving. There is a reason.
Don’t be blinded by bs.
Vote for Hawley,
Wiseman, and Garnello
YAVAPAI COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY – MISUSE OF PUBLIC MONIES
During the Yavapai County 2012 annual audit, Auditor General staff noted discrepancies when reviewing the documentation related to the State of Arizona’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act–State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. As a result of this documentation, our Office commenced an investigation revealing that in September and October 2011, Ms. Rebecca Stolzberg, former finance administrator of the Yavapai County Education Service Agency (Agency), created false invoices totaling $19,473 for the Agency to receive improper payments under provisions of a grant. Specifically, Ms. Stolzberg created four false invoices, falsified a reimbursement request form, and submitted this fraudulent documentation to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Education Innovation in order to obtain reimbursement from the grant. She was able to misuse state monies undetected because she was allowed to prepare, approve, and submit reimbursement requests without any independent review. Also, during the Agency’s annual audit, Ms. Stolzberg submitted this same falsified documentation to the auditors without providing an explanation on the circumstances of the false documentation even after auditors made several attempts to obtain an explanation, thereby misleading the auditors during the audit. On October 21, 2013, the Arizona State Grand Jury indicted Ms. Stolzberg on three felony and misdemeanor charges related to misuse of public monies, fraud schemes, and impeding an audit.
https://www.azauditor.gov/list-special-investigative-reports