Issues linger with Town weed spray deployment in 2024

On July 12, 2024, a Town of Taber employee was sent to Ken McDonald to spray Roundup on weeds along the backstop, and under the bleachers. The spraying occurred Friday afternoon, and all four ball diamonds were sprayed. Town recreation managers assign the tasks for the employees each day.

Town of Taber Parks and Recreation managers had received a baseball fields’ booking form, via email, at least one week in advance. The form indicated that Norcrest was to hold a Major AA tournament on the weekend of July 13 and 14. The form would have also indicated that the games were to start in the morning, with players and coaches arriving about 8:30 a.m. It is important to note, the Town of Taber employee assigned to do the spraying would not have had the booking form emailed to him/her.

The sprayed areas were not posted (signs) indicating the application of chemicals by town employees.

Friday night, July 12, Majors AA parents arrived at the park to prepare for the weekend tournament. Some Norcrest parents, embarrassed by the weed growth under the bleachers and along the backstop fence, took it upon themselves to pull out weeds from the areas where the chemicals had been sprayed. Not knowing the areas that had been sprayed, they used their bare hands to pull out the weeds.

The mayor, along with two councillors, were verbally informed regarding the callous deployment of chemicals prior to a youth baseball tournament. As well, the mayor and three councillors have received a picture of the spraying being done. Norcrest, nor myself, have yet to hear from any elected officials, or any Town of Taber administrators, regarding the spraying calamity.

Since it appeared that the incident was of little concern to Taber town council, or the town administrators, I decided to follow-up with other individuals outside of the Town of Taber governance.

Taber police stated that there were no town bylaws regarding the application of the Roundup and other chemicals. However, it does appear wildly unreasonable that there would need to be a town bylaw regarding the application of Roundup when provincial and national health agencies have clearly outlined the proper application and wait times.

Health Canada, and other health agencies all state that areas that are sprayed with Roundup should not be used for at least 24 hours. As well, sprayed areas are to be posted with the date of the spraying. The spraying of Ken McDonald fields could have easily been assigned earlier in the week.

Many Canadian jurisdictions have banned, or seriously restricted the use of Roundup.

When I contacted the Alberta Poison Control Centre, they were aghast that chemicals had been used in a high traffic area such as a ball diamond or playground. They said most/all other Alberta jurisdictions weed whip areas of higher congestion as opposed to the application of chemicals – makes good sense.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) did contact the Town of Taber Parks and Recreation management regarding the hazardous event. As a follow up, an AHS employee mentioned to me that a Town of Taber administrator, when questioned about the debacle, stated there was a mix-up between minor baseball and Town of Taber. Any confusion, or lack of organization, rests with Town of Taber management, not Norcrest parents.

To this date, there has been no acknowledgement, or accountability, from the Mayor, CAO, or any members of Taber town council, regarding the recklessness and lack of respect shown by Town managers to Taber area youth baseball players, and their families. Taber and area kids, as well as their families/fans deserve better.

Dale H. Tilleman

Former Ballpark Volunteer

Norcrest Little League