BACKTALK

KUDOS TO KRAMER
I thought I would take a minute and respond to Richard Kramer’s Technically Speaking column “PPMA: Where’s the Beef?” in the January issue of PCT. I wholeheartedly agree with you. The money raised by NPMA would be better spent on standards and/or a credentialing program. If you perform admirably the public will know. You do not need to tell them you do an excellent job. If you perform poorly, they will know, even if you tell them how great you are performing.

I think NPMA should set standards for membership. They should contact state regulatory agencies and ask if regulatory action has been taken against the applicant. This is available in Mississippi under the Freedom of Information Act and I think would be available from other state regulatory agencies. If “major” action has been taken against the applicant, the membership committee may want to deny membership.

Jim Haskins
Mississippi Department of Agriculture
Mississippi State, Miss.

WHERE’S THE BEEF? GLAD YOU ASKED
The goals, objectives and strategies for the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) have been well defined by its board of directors. PPMA was conceived to address the fact that after 65 years as an organized industry, we still only have 17 percent of the available consumer market.

Briefly, the mission of the PPMA is to: promote the value of professional pest management services to the consumer; protect our reputation — which is being targeted daily by well-funded activist organizations — by taking a proactive stance against negative publicity; and grow the market.

Our plan, since 1998, has been tiered. We promised an industry-wide consumer market research study and we delivered. We promised a consumer public relations program and we delivered. In 2001 alone we were responsible for TV, radio and print stories on topics ranging from IPM in schools to a recent study linking cockroaches to children’s asthma. We had more than 400 million consumer impressions in 2001; our stories were on TV in more than 38 states; our radio and print reached virtually every state in the country.

And now in 2002 we are delivering on our promise for TV advertising. This month we are running a media blitz encouraging consumers to use professional pest management services, promoting the value of our services and presenting our industry in a positive light. In conjunction with the advertising campaign, and with our industry partners, we will be running public service announcements, again, presenting our industry in a positive light and promoting our health and safety message.

Our 2002 public relations program has already reached more than 50 consumer broadcast and print editors where we offer to be the “industry source” on a variety of consumer, legislative and technical issues related to our pest management industry. And, to assist in elevating the level of professionalism in the industry, we offer “traveling” public relations and crisis communications workshops.

Should the industry decide that a credentialing program be another way to “raise the bar” on professionalism in our industry, PPMA is the vehicle to promote that program to the consumer.

For more information on PPMA, our consumer public relations and advertising programs and how you can become involved, visit our Web site at www.pestworld.org/ppma. Our industry needs to speak with one voice — that voice is PPMA.

Cindy Mannes
Executive Director
Professional Pest Management Alliance

MORE KUDOS TO KRAMER
I am very impressed with Richard Kramer’s “Carpetbaggers” column in the February issue of PCT! I’m relieved to see someone in the industry take a stand against all “compromise” talk that has been going on with the environmental extremists. I hope the folks at NPMA read Dr. Kramer’s piece and take it to heart. The anti-pesticide folks don’t compromise; they take what they can get when they can get it and slowly, incrementally increase pressure to remove one thing at a time. They are very smart in realizing they can’t take it all away in one bite. They do it nibble by nibble claiming it’s only this one small thing and it’s really in the interest of our children. Their only interest is in the total elimination of all pesticides.

In my opinion, pesticides have been one of the brighter spots in our history in relation to the quality of living, more and better food, insect-transmitted disease control, etc.

I just wanted to thank Richard Kramer for expressing the opinion of this average underpaid, overworked bug guy.

Ronald K. Jennings
Owner
Cavalry Pest Control
Staunton, Va.

ORKIN SAYS THANK YOU
I wanted to thank Pest Control Technology for its December issue. It was wonderful to have Paul Hardy recognized as your “Professional of the Year,” at the same time that Orkin was recognized for our 100th anniversary. This was the closest thing I’ve experienced that resembled a “hat trick!”
All of us at Orkin were flattered to read so many positive articles about our company. This was a terrific tribute to one of our most prized employees and our company.

Gary W. Rollins
CEO, President and COO
Rollins Inc.
Atlanta, Ga.

TICK SYMPOSIUM THANK YOU
I just wanted to let PCT and Aventis Environmental Science know how much I enjoyed the recent Tick Symposium in Jacksonville, Fla., and appreciated your gracious hospitality. I felt the information was excellent and the energy of the group that was assembled was great.

I was flattered to be invited to participate in the program and once again, you pulled off a very classy symposium. Hats off to all of you. With all of our schedules being as busy as they are it is always very rewarding to know that the time that you spent was well worth it.

Rick Cooper
Technical Director
Cooper Pest Control
Lawrenceville, N.J.

Editor’s note: Look for PCT’s exclusive editorial coverage of the Aventis Tick Symposium in next month’s issue of PCT.

MATER’S EFFORTS APPRECIATED
Our industry is fortunate to have manufacturers’ representatives who give of themselves without ever being thanked for what they do. They have a thankless job that is taken for granted by the majority of our industry. They travel the country bringing us the latest information and techniques that make our jobs easier and more effective.

One such individual is Dwight Mater Jr., of Kness Manufacturing Co. Mater recently announced that the past NPMA Convention in New Orleans would be his last due to his upcoming retirement. I would like to take this opportunity to let Dwight know that he will be sorely missed by the many people he has touched over the many years of service he has given to our industry.

Mel Edelstein
Aim Pest Control
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING OPCA
Thank you so much to PCT magazine for your time and commitment to the Ohio Pest Control Association’s (OPCA) efforts at NPMA Legislative Day. Our association and our industry are only as strong as those who support and actively participate in our projects. You are the reason that the OPCA has been, and will continue to be, a leader in our industry. Again, thank you for your support.

Robert A. Marquette
President
Ohio Pest Control Association
Columbus, Ohio

Comments may be sent to 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113 or via e-mail to jdorsch@pctonline.com. Letters may be edited for space or clarity.