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Washington, D.C. - Here is the link to listen in to the telephone town hall that U.S. Representative Jean Schmidt has scheduled to begin about 7:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, November 29) to answer questions about efforts to halt the spread of tree-killing Asian longhorned beetles in Clermont County.
As many area residents as possible will be called. Residents who don’t get a call or who can’t be home at that time will be able to listen in via the link.
A representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will answer questions along with Congresswoman Schmidt.
“This is the best way to reach as many people as possible to hear their concerns,” Congresswoman Schmidt said. “Many residents have questions, and I want honest answers from actual experts.”
Ohio officials requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture help try to prevent the spread of the beetles, which are thought to have infested the area as early as 2004.
The insects were first confirmed in Tate Township in June. Ohio officials imposed a quarantine to prevent the movement of firewood and other regulated materials from all of Tate Township, part of Monroe Township, and East Fork State Park, which includes parts of Batavia Township and Williamsburg Township.
Congresswoman Schmidt has been in contact with local, state, and federal officials to hear their views on the best options to prevent the spread of the insects.
On Nov. 22, Congresswoman Schmidt spent 2½ hours on an inspection tour of the Tate Township farm of Bill Skvarla, where the non-native insect was first discovered. Later that day, Congresswoman Schmidt spoke to about 150 concerned residents who gathered in Bethel.
“This is traumatic for many residents who don’t want to lose trees that don’t appear to be infested,” Congresswoman Schmidt said. “I want the eradication to be responsible and as painless as possible.”
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