Now that an opinion from the Mississippi Attorney General’soffice has cleared the way, the city of Brookhaven should move toimmediately spray for mosquitoes not only in a drainage ditch thatruns through Ward Four, but other residential areas of the citythat suffer from the same plight.

Residents in the area of Storm and McNair Avenues, who mustbattle the pesky and potentially life-threatening insects, askedthe city to spray the ditch as the city, according to residents,has done for the past 11 years. For whatever reason, this year thecity denied the request, citing private property issues.

The debate is now moot.

According to a 1989 Attorney General’s opinion issued for thecity of Richland, municipalities can spray for mosquitoes onprivate property if asked to do so by the property owner, becausemosquitoes constitute a nuisance and threat to the community as awhole.

The opinion is clear cut. For the safety of the citizens, weurge the city to quickly establish a plan that helps our citizensenjoy their yards and gardens without having to be concerned abouta pesky bug that could carry a serious disease.