Love him or hate him, Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun is certainly a community champion as he battles ferociously for his residents against the insipid six legged culicoidea, terrorising the southwest in plague proportions for the last few weeks. (“Sydney Water must compensate us for mozzie plague”, 22/11). The humble little mozzie seems far more insidious when we use its scientific name. Since we don’t seem to have suffered an outbreak of dengue fever, malaria, west nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever or zika, I expect there is little need for serious financial compensation. The long shelf life for Aerogard or Mortein would not warrant mandatory refunds by the suppliers or government handouts from Sydney Water. Natural disasters should be confronted without looking for scapegoats. Ned might well give thanks that quick anti-mosquito action by the state government may have avoided the cancellation of Christmas in his thriving metropolis. I suppose all those extra cans of aerosols might get wrapped up under the Christmas tree. A great present for the next time nature attacks us. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 23Nov2024
