[SOC] Local flap

[Bill Cunningham]

Tidewater Virginia hosts a wide variety of fresh and saltwater mosquitoes.
The species that bites ya depends only on wind and tide.  Walter Reed was
from this area and knew the mosquito well before discovering cause of
malaria.  Mosquito control measures are of considerable interest to local
govenments.  One locality uses quad .50 calibre machine guns.

The York County Mosquito Control Troops have become, or about to become, a
little more aggressive that previously.  Specifically, they intend to apply
larvacides to some of the more notorious breeding ponds and backwaters.  Not
so fast.  The animal rights folks have risen to the rescue.  The Mabee
Slamander and Barking Tree Frog (I'm not making this up) are endangered
species that inhabit these areas.  The animal are trying to stop the plan,
arguing that the mosquitoes are in the food chain for the endangered
critters.  It seems there is no proof of this claim, but the offerred
solution seems to be applying the larvacide in lower concentrations.  Local
paper covering diligently, using precious space that could cover soccer or
some other redeeming subject.