March 6, 2009
Mystery Person of the Fortnight
North Padre Island Moon
The Perfect Season … Dr. Christi Kresser Urban Animalization www.padrevet.com
Our Mystery Person of the Fortnight last time was non other than our friend and island resident Diane McGroarty. Diane is an island builder and remodeler. She moved to the island in December of 1998. PAC cont. from pg A1 new businesses to get the necessary permitting to open their doors. There were also questions concerning a potential conflict of interest for several candidates who work in the title or real estate business and who may make money for their private interests because of their votes on city council. There were no direct questions on how the candidates would vote if another citywide election were held on the subject of removing vehicles from portions of Island beaches.. That issue was very divisive and split Island voters nearly down the middle. Cooper and Scott, who were on the council when the election was held and indicated they would support such a ban if it meant development. Chesney, who was also on the council when the vote was taken also supported the ban. There were also questions regarding the city’s approved ban on smoking in bars which is currently set to take effect on April 15. Loeb told the crowed he would have abstained from voting on the issue because he has bars as tenants in some buildings he owns but he is against it. Nelda Martinez, who voted for the ban when it came to a council vote said she is in favor of the ban because of the benefits on health issues. Maurice Portis, who said he owns interests in bars said he would leave the decision in the hands of business owners. Melony Cooper said she voted for the ban for health reasons but would support giving bar owners more time before putting the ban in place. Chesney, who was on the council for six years, said he while on the council he voted in favor of a smoking ban in restaurants but not in bars. Mark Scott, who voted for the smoking ban in restaurants while on the council, said he would approve the smoking ban in bars if there is a similar ban in restaurants.
Can you guess who this handsome lad is?
Island residents pay approximately 12% of the city’s ad valorem taxes but received about 7% of the city’s benefits and that was also an item of interest from PAC members and most of the candidates answers concerned how property values are set by the appraisal district. The decision on which candidates to endorse was made by a direct vote of the approximately 150 people present at the meeting and by other registered voters who voted on-line. The only stipulation for casting a ballot was that the voter was a registered voter who lives on The Island. The balloting for PAC candidates was done through a series of votes with twenty-five percent approval needed in the at-large races or an endorsement to be offered. PAC voters had the option of backing either one, two, or three candidates. In a previously held meeting, also at the Holiday Inn, PAC members voted to endorse Chris Adler in the race for Council District 4, which includes The Island, and to endorse Joe Adame in the race for mayor. Both candidates got 76% approval from those casting ballots. PAC members plan to knock on every door on The Island prior to the election in an attempt to get voters to back the PAC candidates and to vote in April. Island District 4 and for up to three candidates in the at-large race. The PAC is also raising money to help their selected candidates win their races. For more information on the candidates and the PAC see their website at www.islandunitedpac.com.
South Texas and the Coastal Bend Area, not only have the perfect season, but the perfect climate for fleas and ticks. Unlike states such as Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York, who have only four months to worry about, the Coastal Bend offers seven or more full months of flea and tick infestation, annually. The season begins in March and ends in October; however the duration could extend into other months depending on temperature, rainfall and humidity. Once introduced into a home, the stable temperature and humidity inside the house create a year-round habitat for both fleas and ticks. Fleas can cause or transmit Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Anemia and Tapeworm infection. Fleas and ticks can be controlled or prevented with the correct measures. Regular vacuuming and cleaning can help control fleas in a household environment, especially furniture and high traffic areas. And the use of flea and tick prevention year round or as recommended by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that if your veterinarian in Michigan recommends prevention only six months out of the year - that will not work in South Texas or the Coastal Bend. Year round prevention is highly recommended in the Coastal bend and on the Island. If fleas have infested your home, the mistake most people make when trying to get rid of them is that they treat only the home. Remember that fleas embed themselves not only inside your home, but on your pets and in your yard. The real key to treating this problem is to treat all three areas. Step1: Begin by consulting your veterinarian in order to decide which products to utilize. Many different flea and tick products exist on the market such as bombs, dips and preventatives, let the experts educate and guide you and then make your choice. Step 2: Prepare to flea bomb your home first. This means you need to plan for a time when you can be out of your home and have all of your family members and pets out as well, for at least a few hours. The point is to not have anyone inhale the toxic fumes or get the substance on their skin. Step 3: Flea Bomb your house as directed by the instructions on the product. This usually entails spraying down bedding, carpet and any part of the home where fleas may live. Step 4: While out of your home, take your pets to the veterinarian and get them all flea dipped. If you decide to take on this task yourself, remember to start applying the dip around the head and neck first. This is where the fleas usually gather, especially around the ears. Start there and work your way back to your pet’s rear end. Don’t forget to work the stomach, between the legs and their toes. Be careful not to allow the product onto the eyes or ears- this will cause irritation or other complications. Follow the directions on the product carefully, especially the rinsing. Step 5: Begin spraying your yard while you are waiting for the flea bomb to take effect in your home. Many people miss this step, because they believe treating their pets and home are enough. Remember, fleas can get into your home by simply hopping onto your shoes and socks when you walk in the door, not to mention what your pets will bring in after playing in the yard. Spray down the entire area surrounding your home as per the instructions on the product label you decide to use. (Fact: Fleas can jump 150 times their own length) Step 6: Be prepared to possibly go through this procedure more than once. Sometimes a really bad infestation will call for several treatments. Once you feel you are free of fleas, be sure to use the flea and tick prevention medication that your veterinarian recommends for your pets. They can pick them up on any outing with you, or from
A3 other people and pets that come into your home and then you will have to start all over again Remember that prevention is always the best solution. Ticks, on the other hand do not jump, but rather crawl, making human infestation by more than one tick unlikely. However, just one bite is all it takes to fall ill from an infected tick. They feed off of the blood of mammals, amphibians and birds. And they can be found all over the world, especially in the brush country of South Texas and the Coastal Bend Area. They will also feed off of the blood of humans as well as animals. Ticks will embed themselves into human and animal skin and can be quite difficult to remove. A tick bite is not always noticeable as it can feel like a slight pinch or even an itch. It can remain on it’s host for several days at a time without detection. The head will be buried in the skin and may resemble a dark spot or dirt or may appear to be a mole. Ticks may carry and transmit diseases, such as lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. Lyme disease can cause serious side effects such as rash, breathing problems and even organ failure, but can be treated successfully with a round of antibiotics. Rocky Mountain spotted fever produces flu-like symptoms, such as fever and vomiting and can be more serious than lyme disease if proper medical care is not established right away. Ehrlichiosis is also a curable condition, but if left untreated can result in death as well. Prevent being bitten by a tick by following a few simple guidelines. Wear a bug repellent at all times when outdoors and also when bare skin is exposed. Brushy areas or grassy fields are common ground for ticks, especially in the spring and summer months. Avoid walking in areas where there are weeds or shaded areas, or marshy weedy areas near bodies of fresh water. Try to keep the mice infestation down as mice are one of the main carriers for ticks. Instill proper flea and tick prevention habits for your pets as well, keep them on a routine preventative medicine each month to avoid bringing ticks into your home. Tick removal should be done by a medical professional to assure that all parts of the tick have been successfully taken out of the body. And most importantly remember that prevention is the best solution. Educate yourself on prevention, It’s the right thing to do.