Better response to N.J. gypsy moth issue is required

I am one of the many residents of Jackson who suffered through my second year of gypsy moth infestation. Controlling these insects by an individual homeowner is an impossible task, as their multiplication is numerous and rapid. It irritates me that no one took this problem seriously when these caterpillars were at their peak. These insects are not to be taken lightly; they are more than a nuisance, they are destructive.

Telephone calls were made to local officials, state assemblymen and state senators, all of them casually ignoring the problem, all hiding behind the phrase that there was nothing they could do. They treated this problem so lightly, I am sure the hope was that these insects would just go away.

The lack of compassion for this growing problem and the inadequate answers saddened me because these are the people we have elected to represent us from our local municipality to our state government and our federal government.

They are the representatives we rely on to speak for the residents of New Jersey. I know that their casual attitude and the fact that they minimized this problem will remain deep in my thoughts when I vote at any level.

Gypsy moths are indeed a problem in New Jersey; they have been present in this state for 30 years and there is absolutely no way a homeowner could correct this problem.

If the homeowners who were affected this year choose not to spray, I can guarantee that eventually they would spread to those residents who were fortunate to be free of these insects this past season. I invite you to come to my home and see the nests that are already in place for next spring.

I assure you this is not my personal problem. It will spread to other properties if spraying does not take place.

We promote the Garden State - Keep New Jersey Green is our slogan. The state plants evergreen trees up and down our highways to keep New Jersey green all year long. Why are the New Jersey representatives allowing these insects to destroy our trees and our properties?

Sen. Robert Singer, Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Assemblyman Joseph Malone, our New Jersey state senator and assemblymen, have two identical bills in place for the spraying of these insects. We should all hope that we see results.

It took numerous phone calls, news and press coverage and 80,000 acres of land in New Jersey to become affected before anyone took action. This action took entirely too long and cost residents a great individual expense, as well as damage to their homes and property.

The expense for spraying was $535, house power washing, $250, estimated cost for dead tree removal, $700. The tax increase would have been $31 annually. You do the math! The taxes we pay should accommodate a community as a whole. No one likes to pay taxes or agrees to the increases we receive year after year and not all of us use the facilities our taxes cover.

However, that is the cycle of life and we as a whole community, in order to function, need to make sure our community services as well as the environment we share every single day is somewhat accommodating to all its residents.

Perhaps the persistence of Mrs. Greenway and myself during this dreadful gypsy moth season will open the door of protection for our community, whether it is funded by the state or through our own municipality.

Larranie Lombardi

Jackson