One of the realities that refute this agenda of hers is that according to county and state figures we do not have an epidemic of tick-related illnesses on Shelter Island. Of course there are cases of Lyme and other illnesses that myself and others have had to deal with, but they have been here in the same numbers they've always been. Using doctors, holistic treatments and other methods, we all dealt with them just fine until Rae arrived here a few years ago and started to spread unwarranted fear about just what the reality of tick related illnesses are on Shelter Island. I don't know what parties she goes to where this is the topic of conversation, but if indeed it is true I don't want an invitation to them. Some other clarifications regarding statements by Rae:

1. Permethrin does not enter our waters from treated deer — untrue. In one of the forums attended by Cornell and DEC people, they admitted that treated deer were a potential pathway for permethrin to enter our estuaries. Equally as important Rae uses property spraying as another source, which is true and should also be stopped if we ever want to see our waters, and the life they sustain, restored again. What she doesn't tell you is that properties are sprayed with a solution of permethrin generally about 0.5 percent (3 ounces to 100 gallons of water). The permethrin solution in the 4-posters is an unheard of 10 percent.

2. There were not “small amounts of (permethrin) residue” found in the deer meat. If you'll remember, we were first told by Cornell Cooperative Extension “scientists” and by Dr. Zitek in two separate testing programs that there was no permethrin detected in the deer or on their hides. Knowing that was impossible I got the town to do some very preliminary tests (using my well known diplomacy) that in fact showed that there was permethrin in the deer herd at 88 parts per billion (ppb). The FDA standard for permethrin contamination is right now 250 ppb, but it is being lowered to 100 ppb because of new information and concerns about the dangers of permethrin. Namely, that it is indeed a carcinogen, again something that Dr. Zitek, Rae and the other permethrin cheerleaders falsely told us was not the case.

Two other irresponsible pieces of misinformation that Dr. Zitek wrote in columns published in the Reporter in December of 2005 regarding this stated that:

a. The permethrin treatment is not known to permeate the hide of the deer, it stays on the fur and skin — Obviously not true as the tests I had the Town Board initiate proved.

b. Permethrin is approved for use on cattle up to the day before slaughter. It disperses on the skin where it does its work against the ticks — also not true. Cattle must be held for seven days after treatment with a 2 percent solution of permethrin (not 10 percent) before being slaughtered due to USDA health concerns.

Rae's fantasy about how the permethrin that was found, after we were assured it wouldn't be is just that — a fantasy. As tests showed, using this incredibly dangerous 10 percent solution of permethrin has contaminated our deer and in all likelihood many other forms of wildlife on Shelter Island. It is an incredibly irresponsible and dangerous thing to attempt to cover up with misinformation, as Rae is so well known for.

3.  It will cost nowhere even close to the hundreds of thousands of dollars Rae would lead you to believe to continue testing deer responsibly. In fact, the numbers are only in the thousands and I intend to insure that this is done as part of the 4-poster program if it continues. Our elected officials must insure that testing such as this is part of the program. It is their responsibility if they are going to continue a program so potentially dangerous. To not do so will put all of us and the integrity of our environment at great risk.

4. I guess you are not “decent and hard-working” if you question Rae's agenda and campaign of misinformation (to be diplomatic). Me? I'm glad we live in a country that has the First Amendment and I'll keep asking questions.

5. After repeatedly being assured that there was no reason to be concerned about eating deer while the 4-poster program was going on, now Rae tells us that it is “totally up to (us) you” whether or not you eat venison. Well thanks Rae, now that you and others involved in your campaign of misinformation, fear and environmental degradation have contaminated one of the great sources of food and protein that many of us relied on with the help of a mostly clueless Town Board, we can decide whether or not to feed poisoned deer meat to our families. What an asset you are to our island.

Finally, I do agree with Rae that the entire picture does need to be looked at and this time in an informed, educated and factual manner. Not one driven by fear tactics. The Town Board, who has rubberstamped this entire program right from the start because of pressure put on them by groups such as the Shelter Island Association, must take a more objective and responsible role in it all and make sure that by spreading 10 percent permethrin around the Island we are not leaving a health and environmental legacy that all of us now and in the years ahead will not regret. That I intend to make sure is the case.   

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3 comments found

Wow! : 2/22/2009
I have to say I'm surprised that you allowed this to be published, but I am also very happy. Bill is great. Speaks the truth and his mind and doesn't care what people think. He is also a considerate and caring person with a big heart. Why don't you let him write a column every week. At least then we will get some real news about our island. PS He is right about these 4 Posters. They are a plague and this woman carpetbagger should be ashamed of what she has done.

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4 Poster Fiasco : 2/22/2009
Exactly! This insane thing has always been about real estate values and nothing else. The SIA is a scary bunch of people who want to eliminate the islander and turn this place into their version of a gated copmmunity. Thanks Bill and don't ever give up! We Need People Like U!

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4 Posters : 2/19/2009
Right On! I don't know how you got this so called paper to print this, but thanks. You are 100% correct in everything you say and I'm glad we still have people like you that aren't afraid to speak the truth. I say let's start a "moving off the island" fund for Rae

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