Posted on 02/13/2005 1:57:30 PM PST by Willie Green
Only in Pennsylvania would insect control stand a chance of becoming a significant issue in a gubernatorial campaign.
Many political observers believe Republican state Sen. Jeff Piccola of Dauphin County will emerge as Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's GOP challenger next year. Piccola's insect-related criticism of the proposed 2005-06 state budget that Rendell unveiled Wednesday leaves little doubt that he will seek the office.
Piccola blasted Rendell over the planned elimination of the Department of Environmental Protection's $4.4 million black-fly control and suppression program. He strongly opposes ending state-financed spraying to reduce the summertime population of black flies -- more commonly known as gnats.
"I am certain that all residents of the state join me in dismay over this proposal," Piccola said in a release that, surprisingly, most media outlets resoundingly ignored. "Eliminating this program is both short-sighted and insensitive and, once again, calls into question the governor's leadership and sincerity."
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
ping
Obviously, the difference between someone who lives with these things in rural PA (Dauphin Co) and thos who live in the city and are not subjected to such things (Phila).
love their shoo-fly-pie.
ping
Maine breeds them, Penn. feeds them.
"..... closer than a gnat's eyelash" -- the Gunner. A bang-bang play was "as close as the fuzz on a tick's ear" .....'n'at.
Both gnats and 'n'ats have a long and storied history in the Burgh!
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