Weed Notes - Feb. 20

Details

Published on Friday, February 20, 2015

By Sid Lewis

Supervisor

In my last two columns I mentioned an upcoming ad for the two positions needed by Midwest Weed District. The ad has yet to appear so if you are interested, here’s a brief rundown. 

The supervisor position consists of planning the entire weed management program. From what the boards have told me over the years, a thorough knowledge of the Noxious Weed Act and the steps to implement it when the need arises, are the main reasons for having a supervisor. As I have mentioned many times in the past, it has never been a favourite part of the job for me, but it is most necessary in operating a weed control district. In every case I have handled, I have found the type of approach a supervisor makes towards the person(s) who has negligent weed control practices, affects the outcome. The old saying “practice makes perfect” can fit into this area, but there is always a learning curve with every case.

Planning the weed/brush program is another responsibility. More years than I can remember, this has been left entirely on my desk. Asking councils for their inputs every year, the same answer always comes, “You know better than us what needs to be done.” This is gratifying for me, but in the future board members will have to guide the new employees as to what is expected.

Some knowledge of the operations of sprayers and mechanics of trucks is very beneficial to say the least. With having Keith Bennett as the assistant the last number of years, his mechanical background was an excellent bonus for me and the board — we saved a lot of money in repairs. Our water truck is the original sprayer truck we’ve used since 1980. The older roadside truck is a 1990 and the newer is a 2009, so breakdowns will always develop.

Having an applicator licence is a must for both positions. Suggested by Assiniboine Community College, participants should have three weeks to study the two manuals, and attend the one or two workshops put on by the college to further understand the manuals. The closed book exam has a pass mark of 70 per cent for the core and 75 per cent for the municipal parts of the course. Both are required to obtain a licence. In my opinion, anyone coming for an interview who has the applicator licence already has 10 steps in the door.

Attending the three yearly Manitoba Weed Supervisors Association seminars is of definite attendance, in my books. So much information can be learned in these sessions; hours of listening to the groundroots people benefits new and old supervisors.

The second position has always been called an assistant supervisor. With the huge territory of Midwest Weed District now because of amalgamation, I am trying to impress upon the board that this position needs to be full-time as well. The former RM of Saskatchewan area needs some extra work for the next few years.

I have heard by the grapevine the new Riverdale Municipality has lost two employees. This is very sad; these two individuals with years of loyal and knowledgeable service will be very much missed.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please call me at 204-764-2128.