Iannello files resolution to deal with rat problem

Grand Island Dispatch, March 24, 2006

Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello, D-10th Dist., is taking action to eliminate the rat problem in Erie County. She has prepared a resolution calling on the county Health Department to assist in any way possible.

The resolution will be discussed today, March 21, at 12:30 p.m. at the Legislature’s Health Committee meeting on the Fourth Floor of County Hall, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo. Residents are welcome to attend. Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Pillittier will attend the meeting, as well as Peter Tripi, who deals with pest control for the county.

Iannello says she is well-versed on the rodent problem that Kenmore and Town of Tonawanda officials and residents have been addressing. The problem surfaced while Iannello served on the Kenmore Village Board of Trustees. At that time, Iannello hosted a public meeting on the problem. She was a member of the Board of Trustees when the law was passed requiring closed containers on residential properties and Totes for commercial properties.

Since that time, a Kenmore resident has been bitten by a rat at her own residence. “It’s evident that this is not only a nuisance, but a health problem,” Iannello said.

“I am delighted to see that the Totes will become a reality, but there is still the problem of ridding the neighborhoods of the rodents. They will just move on to another area,” she said. “We need to solve this once and for all.”