Things we want (interconnectivity), and things we don’t (new bugs) …

At an early May work session, the Front Royal Town Council heard about things that would be good for the community and other things that would be not so good.

On the good side – or “things we want” – is an updated radio communications system for the Front Royal Police Department that would allow the department to maintain communications with other county and state emergency services agencies into the future.

FRPD doesn’t want to lose field contact with other emergency services agencies with upgraded radio systems. Hi Mandy, it’s been awhile … Photos/Roger Bianchini

As noted by Police Chief Kahle Magalis in presenting a request for an updated radio system for the town police, Warren County Fire & Rescue has had an upgraded system for about a decade that FRPD’s aging system “does not share interoperability with” and the county sheriff’s office is “in the process of migrating to another provider and system at which time we will also lose interoperability with them.”

During his presentation Magalis also pointed to issues communicating with the Virginia State Police.  Describing a “Project 225” compatible system the department is looking at, FRPD’s chief pointed to the need to be able “to maintain a unified command” response to multi-jurisdiction emergency service operations.

FRPD Chief Magalis makes the case for an upgraded radio system

Sounds like a good idea – particularly in the post-modern world of Parkland, Florida, St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Las Vegas, Sandy Hook Elementary, etcetera, etcetera that we live in.

Of course, another symptom of our post-modern world is that there always seems to be a downside, even to the “things we want” equation.  And as in many cases that downer can be the price.  The staff summary of the necessary funding noted a preliminary estimate of $550,000.  Magalis observed that the Project 225 vendor is on a State contract, so that no RFP (Request for Proposal) process would be necessary.

Town Manager Joe Waltz said the purpose of the work session presentation was to put the need and expenditure on “council’s radar” (wonder if it needs upgrading?).  He said that administrative and finance staff had identified $50,000 in the current budget that could get the police radio system upgrade process started or be available to fund an annual debt service.

I’m buggin’

The adult Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) – an illegal immigrant from the Far East and threat to some agricultural industries. Graphics/Virginia Cooperative Extension Office

In addition to bills for municipal services we all seem to want – or at least need, on the down side of the “things we want and things we don’t” equation is an influx of a species of fruit tree-and-vine-destroying flies first reported in the United States in September 2014.  In the intervening 3-2/3’s years the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has expanded its U.S. habitat from a small section in eastern Pennsylvania to 13 counties in that state and single counties in Delaware, New York – and now it appears Virginia.

According to a Virginia Cooperative Extension Office report presented to council on May 7 by Urban Forestry Advisory Commission member David Means the “SLF has recently been detected in Frederick County, Virginia.”

Uh oh – “batten down the hatches” to the apple orchards, vineyards and fruit-tree holding yards of northwestern Virginia.  For while the Spotted Lanternfly is quite an attractive bug – especially compared to the common housefly or stinkbug – it’s Modus Operandi is NOT!!!

“Both nymphs and adults are phloem feeders – they suck sap from young stems and leaves, which can cause withering of whole trees,” the Extension Service report states, adding of the SLF feeding process, “The insects excrete large amounts of a sugar-rich fluid called ‘honeydew’ which covers the stems and leaves of trees, as well as the ground underneath the plants.  This fluid hastens the growth of sooty mold that can reduce photosynthesis, weakens the plant, and cause eventual death.”

A Spotted Lanternfly adult, wings in. The SLF is described as a weak flier, strong jumper and destroyer of host plants.

While new to American shores, the Spotted Lanternfly was reported as indigenous to China as far back as the 12^th Century.  The Spotted Lanternfly’s modern habitat spans China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam – and now it would seem the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Office fact sheet Means referenced asks citizens to help identify the Spotted Lanternfly’s intrusion into our area.

“Suspect insects that resemble SLF can be taken to the nearest Virginia Cooperative Extension county office for identification at no charge,” the fact sheet states.

SLF nymphs on a branch – and they’re hungry little bugs

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Office has an office in the Warren County Government Center at 220 North Commerce Avenue, phone (540) 635-4549.  Fact sheets are also available through the office.

Of the threat posed by the bug, the fact sheet observes, “…since SLF is expanding its range … the insect can have an important economic impact.  SLF has great potential to impact the country’s grape, orchard, logging-tree-and-wood-product, and green industries.”

Means, who is also known for his work with the Tree Stewards locally, opened his work session presentation by asking the town government’s help in getting the Urban Forestry Advisory Commission’s message out.  The evening of May 7 that message focused on the threat posed by the coming of the Spotted Lantern Fly to our area.

At other times there are other messages, but all focused on the health and maintenance of the natural environment that surrounds us here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

“We are not getting our message out.  We need council’s backup in educating the public – it can be as simple as posting a link,” Means observed of improving the commission’s ability to get the public’s attention to its work.

And any help increasing our awareness of urban forestry commission information about our local environment and threats to it is something I think we as residents of the town, county and Shenandoah Valley can agree – we DO want.

Urban Forestry Advisory Commission member David Means wants municipal help in getting the word out on threats to our local environment.