Donnie Blake, OPC, Louisville, KY

 

Last month I said that spring was right around the corner. A month has passed and we are still waiting for warmer weather. As I write this letter the snow is coming down strong in the Louisville area. Hopefully April will be better and this will still be an outstanding termite swarm season.

 

Chris Christensen, Kevin Pass and I attended the NPMA Legislative Day conference in Washington DC. The meeting was outstanding with one of the largest attendance in the history of Legislative Day. The speakers at the meeting featured Laura Ingraham, Former U. S. Senator Byron Dorgan, Tax Reformist Grover Norquist and our own former Congressman Bob Dold. Congressman Paul Ryan took time from his busy schedule to address our group on Tuesday which was amazing since he was in the midst of presenting the House of Representatives budget. Unfortunately, it was difficult to actually get into the Senate building due to the sequestration closing nearly all the entrances into the Senate buildings. Chris Christensen and Eric Ham waited nearly an hour to get into the Senate Office building to meet with Senator McConnell's staff. Scott Underwood and I had better luck in getting into the House of Representative's office building to meeting with Congressman Guthrie. As always, Congressman Guthrie was extremely gracious and actually left a committee meeting to meet with us.

 

Legislative Day issues included the Pest Elimination Services Transparency and Terminology Act ("PESTT") and Federal Electronic Pesticide Use Records Legislation. In regards to PESTT, this legislation would assist in preventing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services ("WS") from competing with the Structural Pest Management industry with such services as wildlife management. Some of the "wildlife" that WS has competed against the pest management industry includes, rats, mice, chipmunks, squirrels, voles, woodchucks, moles, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, pigeons, starlings and sparrows. This legislation would better define the role of WS and assist in preventing unfair completion from WS with the pest management industry. Congressman Guthrie has again demonstrated his support for the pest management industry by agreeing to Co-Sponsor this needed legislation. The Federal Electronic Pesticide Use Records Legislation would permit, but not mandate, pest management professionals to retain and convey pesticide use records and related information electronically. As we enter the "paperless" age this legislation would provide the needed latitude for pest management companies to utilize the latest technology in complying with customer notifications and record keeping requirements.

 

There is not much to report on regulatory issues at the State level. As we move out of the Legislative session, your KPMA Board and the Pest Control Advisory Board will begin discussions with KDA on any needed regulatory changes. If anyone has any suggestions, questions or concerns regarding any regulatory issue please feel free to contact any KPMA Board member.   

 

In last month's newsletter I listed the wrong dates for the KPMA Annual Summer Meeting at Wildwood Country Club in Louisville. The correct dates are Tuesday, July 30th and Wednesday, July 31st. So please remove those notes you placed on your calendars last month and replace them with the correct dates. The committee is working on an outstanding program including the golf tournament on Tuesday, the Annual meeting and dinner on Tuesday night and the training meeting on Wednesday. Stay tuned for information on our special guests and entertainment for Tuesday evening. I cannot thank Ray Hardebeck, Chris Christensen and Scott Underwood enough for their hard work and dedication in their planning of the KPMA Annual Summer meeting and other training meetings.

 

Thanks again for allowing me to serve as President of KPMA.

Sincerely,

 

Donnie Blake

KPMA President

 
Thursday, May 30, 2013
7:30am - 5:15pm
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
965 Lodge Rd., Greenup, KY 41144
 
Kentucky Credits  
applied for in 7-A, 7-B and 8   
 
Corresponding Credits  
applied for in IN, IL, MO, OH, TN, VA and WV
 
Kentucky Certification Exam
Examination for Kentucky certification in categories 8 (public health and private applicators) and 7-a (general pest and termite) and 7-b (integrated pest management) are available. Driver's license or other government issued photo ID must be presented to exam proctor. Exam fees are $25 (category 8 and 7-a) and $10 (for 7-b). Sorry, no cash accepted. An exam check or money order for the appropriate amount is to be made out to Kentucky State Treasurer. Checks that included the program fee and the exam fee will not be accepted and exam will not be administered.  
   
Registration Fees
Pre-Registration Fees (For registrations received by May 24, 2013)
Members - $65
Non-Members - $75
 
On-Site Registration Fees (For registrations received after May 24, 2013)
Members - $85
Non-Members - $95
 
Click here to view the full schedule.
Click here to register!

Peek Inside PestWorld Magazine 

 

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Lex 18, March 26, 2013

Bedbugs Raise Genetic Defense Against Pesticides

Science News, March 14, 2013