PeoriaStory

Charter Oak parents are not giving up

PEORIA -- The dustup at Charter Oak School may be history, but the parents are not letting the Peoria District 150 School Board forget what happened.

During her two minute public comment, Kathleen Diefenbach accused the board of dismantling the school by removing its principal, John Wetterauer and two teachers with the fallout also causing the custodian and secretary to leave.

"Students were excelling.  They loved to go to school, she said. Then, with "nothing proved we lost our beloved principal, teachers, janitor and school secretary, who retired. She loved that school and those children. It is sickening that people sit here and tear apart peoples' lives, and say its good for the children," she said.

Tammy Lott used her two minutes to tell the board "it's been chaos at Charter Oak. Now four people are in place for the principal's job."  Stability is gone, she said. 

"Either you believe we're lying and there no fear and intimidation in our district, or this is happening and its justified," she said.

Activist Terry Knapp said the (long time) principals in the district are gone, while activist Sharon Crews said the district spent thousands on temporary buildings for 300 students to transfer to, but that will stop with the state receiving a waiver from No Child Left Behind. "We knew it would be over," she said.

Meanwhile Lindberg School didn't make AYP so now is off the "choice list" she said.  See her printed remarks below.

School watcher Mary Beth Cunningham noted that the District report card is not on its website, prompting a response from board president Rick Cloyd that it should be placed there.

A recording of the comments and the board responses are posted here.

 

Dist150 Apr.28

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 Here is the comment of Sharon Crews on April 28:

A year ago you voted to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for temporary classrooms at Charter Oak and Lindbergh because you believed Dr. Lathan’s argument that District 150 would be sanctioned—probably with financial loss—for not following a federal mandate to offer waivers for over 300 students to attend and be bused to schools that were making AYP.

We knew that NCLB would be over in 2014—and now there’s no arguing with this week’s PJStar story that stated, “All of the sanctions related to yearly progress are gone.”  What words can you use tonight to convince us that all this disruption and expense in District 150 was warranted?  Also, please keep in mind that while the temporary buildings were being set up, the 2013 test scores had already taken Lindbergh off the “choice” list.  Also, all the havoc you have caused at Charter Oak has adversely affected any benefits planned for the transfers to Charter Oak.  All the expense and chaos was for naught.  But Lathan apparently isn’t finished yet as she just took two more beloved employees from the children—a custodian and a secretary.

In 2012-2013 you hired a Chicago public relations firm for over $20,000 and $600 for mileage.  $8,000 was spent in 2012 for a one-month contract to hype ISAT scores to the public.  Public relations firms are hired to make things look better than they are.  Also, the Chicago firm was hired three times to hype the District’s strategic plan to the public at a cost of $4,000 each.  Why can’t the District’s own PR department conduct such campaigns?  Also, aren’t there any PR firms in Peoria?

You continue to convince us that keeping quality teachers is not a priority in District 150. -30 -

 Here is her comment at the April 23 board meeting:

Keeping well-qualified teachers and maintaining contractual class sizes do not appear to be high on your priority list.  When, if ever, in the last four years have you said “No” to anything Dr. Lathan has wanted to buy.  IT purchases, programs, textbooks, barcoding system, food, travel, professional development, new administrative positions such as Instructional Officers and a labor relations director? 

You have been willing to pay for state of the art equipment with no resistance, but you are willing to accept whatever is left over in August when all the best teachers have been scarfed up.  For you, teachers definitely appear to be an afterthought.

If you put 30 students in a room with brand new expensive textbooks, 30 computers loaded with IPads, and a Smartboard and close the door, no learning will take place.  A teacher who is qualified to teach the subject is essential to the learning process.  Yet you have done nothing to insure that such a qualified teacher or even an unqualified substitute will be in many classrooms next August.

I challenge you to consider a moratorium on all but the absolute necessities until you have conducted a thorough investigation as to how all the IT equipment and programs are being used.  I believe much of these purchases are underutilized or not used at all.  I believe much technology was purchased with no plan for its use.  You bought the stuff and hoped to create a need.  You put the cart before the horse.  What you did is to help Dr. Lathan create an impressive resume for her next job.

For most of my career, non-tenured teachers did not have to worry every March about being pinkslipped, awaiting word of state fund reductions.  Am I correct tin believing that this yearly reduction in force did not start until the later 1990s?  What has changed—why is the District totally unprepared for a reduction in state funding? -30 -

 

 

 

 

Peoria gets history award for Friedan project

PEORIA, IL - From a news release: The Illinois State Historical Society presented its annual awards last week, and a Peoria group won a Superior Achievement award.  Here are the details:

 

"It Changed Us! A Hometown Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan

Nominee: Betty Friedan Hometown Tribute Committee

Award: Superior Achievement

 

This special project nominated by the Peoria Historical Society, honored Betty Friedan, a native Peorian, "hometown Illinois girl," and a moving force in changing the world of consciousness and action for women and men. The Hometown Tribute Committee used the 50^th anniversary of the publication of Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique, to promote better understanding of Friedan in her birthplace and beyond. The event itself attracted several hundred people and allowed for women in attendance to present testimonials about how her book affected their lives. These testimonials are now being archived and posted on the Betty Friedan Hometown Tribute website.

 

(The website is hosted at the Bradley University website). 

 

 

 

 

Schock and Diana and the Fryes... hummm

UPDATE 4/30/14 -- Grimm has been arrested, and now see this column about Schock, Grimm, and a Peoria couple named Frye! 

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/04/will-aaron-schock-be-collateral-damage.html

The swamp grows even murkier.

  - Elaine Hopkins 

PEORIA, IL -- The widespread news coverage of the forthcoming indictment of Cong. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican, rings a bell -- a connection to Cong. Aaron Schock, Peoria Republican of the 18th Congressional District in Illinois.

It seems that the person accused of illegal campaign contributions to Grimm also gave contributions to Schock in a manner that seems quite similar, according to news sources.

Here's the story, from Roll Call: "Diana Durand, of Houston, Texas, was arrested last Friday and accused of a contribution scheme to use the names of others to funnel $10,000 to the 2010 campaign of Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y. She allegedly lied to federal agents about her actions. Rep. Grimm’s 2009-2010 campaign finance records show he received $41,550 from contributors in Texas, including $22,700 from employees of Sun Coast Resources.

"Durand is also accused of funneling other funds to a second candidate. Durand, an employee of Sun Coast Resources, who contributed $2,400 to Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., is accused of giving $4,800 to co-worker to be a ‘straw donor’ and asking the money be passed on in contributions to Rep. Schock. Schock’s campaign finance records shows he received $13,309 from contributors in Texas, including several who also gave to Grimm."

Will the Peoria Journal Star follow this money?  Don't count on it.

  -- Elaine Hopkins 

PEORIA, IL - From a news release:

Central Illinois Community Groups Hold Clean Energy Forum in Peoria

State Senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Jehan Gordon Join Diverse Group of Labor, Energy, Environmental and Health Leaders to Discuss Clean Energy Jobs in Central Illinois

 

PEORIA, Ill. –  State senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Jehan Gordon joined the Sierra Club, the Blue Green Alliance, Citizen’s Utility Board and Clean Energy Trust to host an April 16 forum at the Peoria Labor Temple highlighting clean energy policies and discussing opportunities to bring clean energy projects and jobs to Central Illinois. The forum also focused on pending legislation that could bolster Illinois’ growing clean energy economy.

“Clean energy is already driving job growth in Central Illinois,” said Senator Dave Koehler. “This forum presented an opportunity for our entire community to come together and brainstorm ways to make our clean energy economy even stronger.”

Since it passed in 2007, Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard has set clean energy goals for the state and created more than 20,000 jobs, cut wholesale power prices by $177 million dollars per year, and curbed more than 5 million tons of air pollution. State lawmakers are currently discussing a pending bill that would make important adjustments to the Renewable Portfolio Standard and better incentivize clean energy projects around the state.

“Wind and solar manufacturing, installation and maintenance represent strong, family-sustaining jobs for Central Illinois,” said Patrick Whitty, Director of Programs, Clean Energy Trust. “We’re only just beginning to unlock the potential of these industries. Today’s forum allowed many different groups to come together around advancing this economic opportunity for our communities.”

“Clean energy is a smart investment for Illinois,” said Bryan McDaniel from Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB). ”Not only has Illinois’ smart clean energy leadership helped reduce pollution, but it has also saved Illinois families a lot of money.”

“When we grow our renewable energy resources, it means cleaner air and better health for the state of Illinois,” said Jack Darin, Director, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. “Clean energy is a win-win for our economy and our environment.”

“Clean energy job potential grows every day,” said Tom Conway with BlueGreen Alliance. “Many jobs related to clean energy will be in modernizing the electrical grid to reduce the amount of energy lost throughout the system and make it easier for people to install rooftop solar and move wind energy to urban areas.”

Today’s clean energy forum followed a similar forum hosted April 15 in Waukegan by State Senator Terry Link and State Representative Rita Mayfield. - 30 -

Questions, no answers

PEORIA, IL -- Public comments at the April 14 Peoria District 150 School Board meeting raised many questions that were never answered. 

There were two opportunities for the public to comment, first the usual session, then a public hearing on the honorable dismissal of 66 teachers, who must be laid off after the school year ends because the board is uncertain how much money will be allocated from the state for next year.

That hearing brought science teachers to the podium who said they wanted the layoffs to have a face.  Two teach science at Manual Academy, and a third teaches engineering there, and has a degree in engineering and a Master's degree in education.

"We are struggling with keeping teachers," said Laurie Ettinger who works with the Manual teachers.  She said there's a 60 percent to 85 percent turnover in science teachers at Manual, and a middle school class lacks a certified science teacher now.

This prompted me to speak, to ask the board how those to get pink slips were selected, and whether funds could be transferred from other accounts to pay for teachers.  The board has spent almost a million dollars buying property near Peoria High School, and wastes other money as shown on its credit cards.

Activist Terry Knapp asked why administrators were not laid off in place of teachers.

No answers were forthcoming when the board's time to comment came up.

Other commenters focused on the Change150 issues and Charter Oak School. 

"I'm tired of everyone in the press telling that we are a crazed bunch of parents," said one. "It is not the same school as it was.  We parents don't have a voice any more. Get off your power trip and listen to the public.  The election spoke volumes."

Knapp commented that Freedom of Information Act responses show that there were 10 testing infractions since 2010, including three at Franklin School, whose principal was transferred to Charter Oak to take the place of its principal who was transferred out, and is now on sick leave. 

Brenda Wilson said that her comments at a previous meeting about problems on the playground at Charter Oak brought instant retaliation, "a slap in the face."

That happened when the principal enacted a restrictive policy on parent visits.

Title One schools are supposed to follow a protocol on policy changes that involve parents, but that never happened, she said, and no one will answer her questions about it. A lawyer told her the policy seems illegal, especially in a public school, she said. "Elections don't lie," she added.

In her response, Supt. Grenita Lathan said, "It's not about one school or inidividual.  We need healing and need to move forward. It's not meant to harm anyone. A lot of mean things have been said."

Lathan seems not to understand that layoffs and transfers can destroy careers and family life, which causes terrible harm.  The young science teachers likely will find other jobs, disrupting the stability of their school, while the principal who is targeted may have lost his career. For essentially nothing.

She was right that "mean things" have been said recently -- with Charter Oak parents called "racists," and "white elitists," Knapp called "a liar," unverified accounts of threats made  Those targeted by these comments rightly protested.

Here are recordings of the comments, in two parts:

 

Dist 150 Apr 14.1

 

Dist150 Apr 14.2

Activist Sharon Crews focused on the lack of communication between the board and the public, including the inconsistency in meeting times, the inconsistency in comment periods, and the board's lack of discussion at meetings.  See her comments written below.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here are the comments from Crews:

This board has steadily decreased the opportunities for the public to communicate with them and for board members to communicate with each other publicly.

Speakers once had two opportunities to address the board—five minutes for action items and five minutes for any topic.  After March 2010 individuals speak only once.

The second change effectively limited the number of speakers by asking speakers to fill out cards before the meeting starts.

Speakers once lined up, waiting their turn to speak.  Frequently, people would decide to speak spontaneously when they heard something to which they wanted to respond.  Now newcomers, unaware of the cards and/or the deadline, find they have wasted their time.  Speakers are forced to come early and sit through 30 minutes to an hour of “feel good” presentations, which precede the public comment time. 

Thirdly, the board stopped televising its meetings.  After a considerably long period, the board resumed access through U-Stream but did not air public comments.  The current airing of the whole meeting on U-Stream and YouTube is better but not as open to the public as TV is.

The fourth and probably the worst change was to limit the number of times board members and the superintendent communicate with each other publicly.  The board traditionally held two regular meetings a month and later one Committee of the Whole meeting—all open to the public. 

As of November 2011, one regular meeting was eliminated.  The public still can speak for five minutes at the first monthly meeting but for the second meeting, speakers still must fill out a card before the meeting starts but can speak for only two minutes at the very end.  Before 2010 an individual’s speaking time totaled 20 minutes a month—now reduced to 7 minutes.

Policy states that no official action—voting—takes places at Committee of the Whole meetings, which are for discussion only.  However, the Committee of the Whole meeting has become just another regular meeting—with the only difference being speakers at the end for only two minutes. 

Also, the first meeting of the month starts at 6:30 but the second meeting starts at 6:00--the result is that people, confused by the time change, often arrive after the meeting starts—too late to fill out a card.

Traditionally, board members voted on action items only after expressing their opinions, presenting pros and cons, and even arguing among themselves.  They let their constituents know why they were casting “yea” or “nay” votes. 

Now the board comes to the table with minds already made up.  Recently, Martha Ross stated that the public doesn’t realize that a lot of things go on before the meeting.  She said, “We ask questions, get documents; we know about things long before we get here.”  If, indeed, “a lot goes on elsewhere,” you are violating the Open Meetings Act. 

As it is, the whole agenda is read verbatim and then, with little or no discussion, the vote is taken.  Rarely is there anything but a 7-0 vote.  The main part of the meeting often takes less than a half hour.  Is that communication and is it legal?

Three times this year, three sets of parents have come to the podium to address the board in public because their attempts to be heard privately by central administrators, including Dr. Lathan, were unsuccessful.  Two sets of parents were not allowed to speak because they did not know about the deadline for cards and had to return to the next board meeting before they could be heard. 

Laura, we did listen when you stated that someone from Change150 harassed you and threatened your child and that the group waged a dirty campaign.  I have seen the police report which was not filed until after the election.  You should not have been harassed or threatened, but you leveled your charges at a large group of people. How do you know this person has any ties to Change 150, which has no membership list?  And define what was dirty about the campaign. 

By the way, teachers and principals are harassed and threatened every day (and not always by students).  How strong a stand have you taken in favor of meaningful consequences for students who threaten teachers, probably on a daily basis in District 150?  Do you favor reporting all such incidents to the police?  I trust that you will support teachers who follow your example.

Lathan’s standard speech seems to convey that the public has a right to disagree, that she is sorry that people disagree or do not understand, but they have to live with board decisions.  I don’t believe the public trusts your decisions or your Chicago PR firm’s version of the truth.  After tonight’s reduction in force, I assume we will not hear the words, “We are in the black.”- 30 -

Interesting events

PEORIA, IL -- From a Peoria Area World Affairs Council news release:

The EU in the US: Free panel discussion with EU member state diplomats on May 1.

 

On Thursday, May 1, we will host a special program with several diplomats from EU member states, including Madam Ioanna Efthymiadou of Greece, the country which currently holds the presidency of the EU, and many others whose countries enjoy strong ties to Central Illinois.  This event is not our usual evening program, and the scope of discussion and caliber of speakers is not to be missed!  The highlight is the panel discussion at 12:30 pm, which is FREE and open to all - bring a friend!  If you would like to sit with the diplomats at lunch or join in a seminar to learn more about trade and investment opportunities for Central Illinois, you should register for the luncheon an seminar in advance.  For details, see the file below.  

 

Lecture

Amer Ahmed, from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, will give a lecture this evening at 7 in the Marty Theatre in the Michel Student Center. His subject is "Religious Pluralism or Religious Privilege? The Impact of Religion on our Culture, Institutions and Public Policy."  The lecture is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Department of Sociology, the Asian Studies Program and the Intellectual and Cultural Activities Committee.

 

"Securing Illinois' Future: Peoria Voices for Reform" will be held Thursday, April 24 at 12 - 1:30 pm at the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce office, 100 SW Water Street (up top by Joe's Crab Shack".  This free event will discuss the need for a major overhaul of immigration laws.  If you would like to attend this free event, you need to RSVP to Jolene Cole at [email protected]. 

The Impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on Central Illinois

"The EU in the US" Discussion Series

 

Relations between the European Union and the United States have become even more important as these allies face challenges from the Middle East, Asia and Russia.  Business ties and moves to further open their economies to each other are adding even greater depth to EU-US relations.  Join Diplomats from EU Member States and Illinois and US Department of Commerce officials for a candid discussion of transatlantic relations and the potential impact of the proposed trade and investment agreement on Central Illinois.

Thursday, May 1, 2014, Robert Michel Student Center Ballroom, Bradley University                     

EU Member States participating:

Madam Ioanna Efthymiadou, Consul General, Consulate General of Greece

Mr. Simeon Stoilov, Consul General

Consulate General of Bulgaria

Mr. Paul Graham, Consul General

Consulate General of France

Mr. Klaas van der Tempel, Consul General, Consulate General of The Netherlands

Mr. Robert Rusiecki, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland

Mr. Ramin Navai, Deputy Consul General

British Consulate-General

Madam Jelena Grčić Polić, Consul General

Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia

Schedule of Events:

11:00 am              Check-in

11:30 am              Luncheon Reservation required

 

12:30 pm              Panel Discussion with Diplomats

Moderator: David Cleeton, Chair of the Department of Economics, ISU

                                Free and open to the public

 

2:00 pm Coffee Break and Check in for Seminar

2:30 pm Business Seminar Registration required

"Rising Europe: The Growing Economies and Opportunities of the Former Eastern Bloc"

Marianne Drain, Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce

"A Shared Path to Prosperity: An Illinois Perspective on Trade and Investment with Europe"

Daniel Goff, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

4:30 pm Adjournment

This event is sponsored by the Delegation of the European Union in the United States, the World Affairs Councils of America, and the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, in partnership with the Institute of International Studies and the SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University, and the European Union Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Pre-registration is required for the luncheon and seminar.  Pre-registration for the panel discussion is requested for planning purposes.  .  More information is available through PAWAC at www.pawac.org or (309) 677-2454.

 

   

 

Peoria Township transparency

PEORIA, IL -- Peoria Township made a move toward transparency, at its annual meeting on April 8.

Township trustees, who are also Peoria City Council members, voted unanimously to appropriate up to $10,000 to set up a website that presumably will present comprehensive information on the township's budget and other issues.

Peoria City and Peoria Township share the same boundaries, and the township's sole function, aside from property assessments, is to dispense welfare to those who otherwise will fall through the cracks.

But members of the Greater Peoria League of Women Voters have questioned the high overhead of the office compared with the number of indigent people served, and the lack of details on what takes place.

At the April 8 annual township meeting, I appeared as a representive of the League, and read a statement by League president Cheryl Budzinski, who could not be present.  It stated:

Regarding the town of the city of Peoria budget, the League is disappointed that basic supporting budget information is not available to the public in order to make comments on the proposed budget.

The League of Women Voters' position is to "promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable, and responsive."  This process tonight is not that.

The budget was not available online (nor) was the notice of meeting. How are citizens expected to comment on the budget if information is not available?

We would have liked to compare these numbers to previous budgets and see if recent new legislation, namely The Affordable Care Act, has influenced change in the budget. We would also be looking at whether overhead reduction in costs have been included.

I asked that action be deferred on the budget until more information could be posted on line, which could include the previous year's budget, number of people receiving welfare benefits, how much they received, whether the ACA has affected the budget, and whether the recipients are signed up for the ACA, and finally, what has been done to reduce overhead costs. 

The budget, available from the clerk, includes only line items such as 'direct grants' and a dollar amount. There are no further details. It also does not include last year's budget for comparison purposes.

When the agenda item to approve the budget came up, councilwoman Beth Jensen asked whether a website could be developed.  Councilman Chuck Grayeb, who is the council's liaison to the township, then read a long statement about how the meeting notice was posted around town and in the daily newspaper.

But then he said "maybe it should be on a website. We're happy to listen. Tell us how better to administer the office, cheaper and better and more effective to the voters."

He continued, "this isn't the first time we had salvos shot across the bow of townhip government."  He then gave statistics about how many people were being served, and the dollar amounts.

Councilwoman Denise Moore asked whether it would be proper to say the website should be done. Jensen then asked whether the budget could be amended to set up a website, spending up to $10,000. 

The township attorney Bill Connor said that was permissible, so it was moved, seconded and approved to do that.

Councilman Ryan Spain presided, and to open the meeting, read the law which states that anyone living in Peoria is a township elector, and a petition of 15 or more electors can propose agenda items to be voted on. 

Ah yes, I've heard of that, with some townships elsewhere approving peace initiatives and other progressive ideas.  Maybe that will work next year if a comprehensive website isn't forthcoming.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Testing irregularities common in District 150, so...?

PEORIA, IL -- Testing irregularities are common in Peoria School District 150, documents obtained from the Illinois State Board of Education show.

So why did the School Board and Supt. Grenita Lathan target Charter Oak principal John Wetteraur for something that has taken place every year Lathan has been superintendent?

The other nine incidents occurred without publicity. In many instances principals were not suspended and teachers were not transferred.

But that's not what happened at Charter Oak, enraging parents and others in the community, and sparking Change150, a group that led the ouster of an incumbent board member in March, with the uproar leading to the failure of a county-wide sales tax referendum that would have benefitted all the schools in the county. 

Wetterauer was suspended, then transferred, then took a medical leave.  Teachers were transferred to other schools leaving special education classrooms at Charter Oak taught by substitutes, parents say.

None of that occurred at the other schools, apparently.

 

Here are the schools and dates of the testing irregularities:

2011: Mark Bills Middle School, Glen Oak School and Roosevelt Magnet School.

2012: Rolling Acres Middle School, Franklin Primary School, Whittier Primary School, Lincoln Middle School.

2013: Franklin Primary School, Harrison School and Charter Oak School.

In a letter accompanying the documents, the State Board representative stated:

"ISBE is not currently investigating any ISAT irregularities in Peoria District 150 other than Charter Oak. The only investigation from January 1, 2010 to present we have on record regarding Mark Bills Middle School took place in 2011."

 

 

 

So why did Lathan target Charter Oak, an award winning school, and its principals and teachers?

Makes little sense, but a lot in District 150 doesn't make sense or add up.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Atrazine and us

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

PROMINENT PHYSICIAN AND RESEARCHER DISCUSSES ATRAZINE AND BIRTH DEFECTS

 A controversial herbicide used widely in the Peoria area and throughout the Midwest is the subject of a presentation from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday April 20 at Universalist Unitarian Church, 3000 West Richwoods Boulevard. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Dr. Paul Winchester, medical director of the NICU at St. Francis Hospital, Indianapolis, will speak about his research into the effects of atrazine, an endocrine disrupting chemical, on human health.

In one study, he found statistically significant correlations between birth defects among children conceived during peak periods of atrazine application. His further research found statistically significant correlations between learning disabilities among children conceived during peak periods of atrazine application.

Atrazine, an herbicide widely used on corn, is found pervasively on surface water in this country. It has been banned by the European Union. A class action lawsuit over atrazine in drinking water was settled in 2012 for $105 million. Peoria and Springfield  were among central Illinois communities that shared in the settlement because atrazine is found regularly in the communities’ tap water. 

When Winchester first joined the hospital staff, he noted what he thought was an inordinately high number of birth defects among newborns. He found no plausible explanation, so he designed a study. He correlated 30.11 million births nationwide between 1996 and 2002 with birth defects diagnosed in the first days of life. In a paper published in Acta  Paediatria, a peer reviewed journal, Winchester reported disproportionately high rates of birth defects for children conceived between April and July, the peak period of atrazine applications.

“The positive correlation was so strong I couldn’t believe it,” Winchester said. “This study is one of the most shocking things on the planet. It’s frightening to me.”   - 30 -