BAN ON AVITROL The City Council banned...

BAN ON AVITROL

The City Council banned the use of Avitrol for pest control.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Avitrol, or 4-aminopyridine, is a potassium channel blocker and a

lethal neurotoxin.

It is used by pest control companies in the city, and is poisonous

to birds and other animals.

While it is usually used to kill pigeons, it can be consumed by

other birds that eat the poisoned bait.

Avitrol has also been banned in New York City, Fort Collins,

Colo., and Boulder, Colo.

WHAT WAS SAID:

“I was really shocked to find out that a concessionaire in a park

would be using a bird poison, when the Shipley park folk are working

very hard to restore the area to attract birds,” City Councilwoman

Connie Boardman said.

YOUTH SHELTER SNOWFLAKES

The Public Works Department will install the Huntington Beach

Youth Shelter’s huge lighted snowflakes for free.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Huntington Youth Shelter has decorated the Huntington Beach

Pier and Main Street with holiday snowflakes every year since 1998.

In the past, the youth shelter has purchased the lights and the

Public Works Department has installed, maintained and took down the

fixtures for free. This year, the city initially said that it could

not afford to foot the bill.

The council directed the city to waive the $2,346 in fees for

installation of the snowflakes.

WHAT WAS SAID:

“Without this, there wouldn’t be any holiday decorations.” City

Councilwoman Pam Julien Houchen

SETTING A NATIONAL RECORD

Mayor Cathy Green recognized 11-year-old Cindy Tran for setting a

national record in swimming.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Tran, who swims with the Golden West Swim Club at Golden West

College, broke the national record for the 50-yard backstroke.

This comes after setting the national record last year for the

girl’s 10 and under age group.

WHAT WAS SAID:

“I think it’s safe to say that she’s the fastest 11-year-old

swimmer ever in the history of swimming Cindy’s a product of the

[Golden West Swim Club] program -- she’s one heck of a product -- but

we like to say that she’s one of many,” Coach Rick Graves said.