Letters-Aug. 2, 2007

Guns not answer

to deer problem
To the editor:
   I attended the July 14 Solebury Township Supervisors meeting.
   I wanted to know more about the mobile killing units — paid for with taxpayer money — to track down and kill primarily innocent fawns and does in order to reduce the overall deer population in Solebury Township.
   Damage to crops and residential foliage were the two primary reasons for hiring these government contracted hit men in their mobile killing units, and, then, of course, Lyme disease and auto accidents were cited lastly.
   Interesting, how in a capitalist society, health reasons often times appear at the bottom of a given list and usually after money concerns. Anyone who knows anything about Lyme disease knows deer are not the only carriers of ticks, which cause Lyme disease, and regarding auto accidents, I wonder how many of those reported accidents involved intoxication or speeding as other possible factors causing these accidents.
   It would have been nice to see the statistics of individuals who contracted Lyme disease in Solebury Township over the past 10 years as well as seeing the statistics of auto accidents caused by deer. Of course, the board did not have this data to share.
   Many residents complained the town failed to hold adequately publicized discussions of the seriousness of the deer population in Solebury, and many residents even went as far to state the decision-making process was conducted behind closed doors to reduce the fervor of the people’s voice.
   The supervisors, along with two representatives of the USDA, did not present a strong enough case for using taxpayer money to resolve this serious deer population in Solebury. They did, however, with the help of some local farmers present, describe how the agriculture industry in Solebury was on the brink of complete shutdown due to the eating of the crops planted by the deer population.
   Other individuals also attempted to link the deer population to the broader ecosystem of Solebury, and how, over time, Solebury as we know it would simply not look and have the same feel as it does today because of the serious and unmanageable deer population.
   These individuals argued the deer eat the seedlings of trees and other essential vegetation that would, by turn, prevent birds and bees and other groups of animals and insects from surviving and flourishing in Solebury Township, thus changing overall the look and feel of Solebury.
   I found it terribly disturbing some of these arrogant and ignorant individuals failed to mention the fact human development is the primary cause for a number of these conditions, which have and will continue to change the look and feel of Solebury. Housing developments alone are serious contributing factors to the overall metamorphism occurring in Solebury, and with more housing comes more transportation, primarily cars, in the form of carbon emissions and bottleneck traffic.
   However, for the supervisors and 34 anonymous property owners who signed up to have these mobile killing units come onto their property and de-pop the deer, the deer population is the single most uncontrollable culprit or scapegoat of the problems facing agriculture in Solebury today. I am intrigued as to why anonymity is afforded to these 34 property owners? Are we not living in a democracy?
   Additionally, these 34 individuals, I wonder how many are farmers who already receive federal and state subsidies and are not even required to disclose to their neighbors these mobile killing units will be operating at night on their properties?
   Accidents can occur, and full disclosure should be made known to one’s neighbors.
   Humans are not perfect. Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a campaign contributor during a weekend quail hunt on a friend’s South Texas ranch, and that happened in broad daylight.
   It seems to me the farmers and some disgruntled residential gardeners have teamed up with the town and USDA to rid the township of its deer population and of almost $265,000 of taxpayer money this year.
   Additionally, I wonder if the program will continue in future years. Will property taxes increase to support and maintain these mobile killing units?
   Supposedly, other options were considered, however, the board failed to adequately review and present that data. One resident questioned whether the board considered sterilization or the use of birth control in the deer population.
   The board deferred to the USDA representative to answer that question. Briefly, the USDA representative stated it would be too challenging to use, too costly, and the health risks to humans who would then consume the deer meat could be staggering.
   I was wondering if the USDA representative would care to comment on the human consumption of meats approved by the USDA and found on the shelves of national grocery stores. Antibiotics and growth hormones are given to almost every animal farmed for human consumption. I wonder why some people are not at all concerned about the meat, milk and eggs they consume on a regular basis and the health risks they are serving to their children every day.
   No one ever mentioned relocation as a humane alternative to the "killing fields" of Solebury. I find it amazing the Nazis of the Third Reich were able to round up human beings running and hiding for their lives, but Solebury could not even attempt to employ a more humane method of solving the deer population by simply sedating and relocating the deer to another part of the state or country.
   If intelligent humans running for their lives could be interned and relocated, why can’t deer be track down, sedated, interned and relocated to other areas? One resident, a hunter I believe, had mentioned establishing a Solebury hunting association where hunters from neighboring states could purchase a permit and come to Solebury Township and hunt deer. He, more or less, was advocating this would not only generate revenue for the township and reduce the deer population, but it would also make Solebury a hunting destination.
   I wonder what residents would think of having a picnic in the local park while legions of out-of-state hunters storm the parks and, of course, some 34 or more properties for the sake of killing deer. I am not sure the housing market would be as it is today in Solebury if this hunter’s proposal was seriously considered.
   However, that is my humble opinion. It is sad, nevertheless, that, when faced with a serious and uncontrollable situation, Americans pick up guns instead of picking up their brains to solve certain situations in a humane way.
   As a former educator, perhaps I expected more of the board other than the simple letter explaining, but not providing, concrete details of what occurred leading up to the selection and contracting of the mobile killing units as the only viable alternative to the serious deer population.
   I must say, after quickly reading through the information given to the attendees, I was glad these elected officials did not represent me. I do not live in Solebury Township.
   Perhaps a detailed paper containing all the pros and cons of all the other options would have been asking too much of the elected board members or, maybe, just a simplified power-point presentation reviewing the data? I must admit their selected nocturnal mobile killing units had the flair of a covert operations one might read about in a Robert Ludlum novel or on the "killing fields" of the Iraqi War.
   However, the board did give out a handout, "Deer Overpopulation: Threatening Our National Heritage." I find it so amazing such innocent creatures could seriously threaten or attack our national heritage!
   Unfortunately, no one addressed the issue that human development has reduced the natural habitat of the deer, a natural organism found in this geographic location of the world. Humans have reduced the woodlands with agriculture and housing and have gradually caused the natural ecosystem of this area to change considerably.
   And once again, it is humans who will continue to eradicate and change this ecosystem by killing innocent fawns and does with taxpayers money. Part of the beauty of this area is seeing the deer graze in fields wagging their tales. It seems as it the majority of residents in Solebury Township have forgotten that.
   It is a shame to think we are choosing to do what our ancestors did to the Native Americans who once inhabited this region prior to their arrival. We are eliminating them because they infringe upon our development. We are yet again witnessing the horrors of mankind through the savage programs of the "killing fields" of Solebury Township.

Bryan D. Freehling
Lahaska, Pa.

Potterpalooza

great success
To the editor:
   Potterpalooza was a fantastic success at the Lambertville Free Public Library on July 20, and a great time was had by all.
   The release of the final Harry Potter book was celebrated at the library through games, activities, costumes, music and movies.
   A huge outpouring of the local community as well as many out-of-town guests enjoyed the festivities with attendance numbers estimated to be near 700. The event was likened by visitors to a huge neighborhood block party, and crowds kept the activity tables open until it became too dark to see.
   The library would like to thank all of our community members who helped make such an amazing event possible. The Friends of the Lambertville Library under the leadership of Sara Scully created the amazing set pieces and scenic props that turned our parking lot into Harry’s World and made our Harry Potter night extra magical.
   The Friends also provided us with "Honeydukes" sweet shop and their Nickelodeon Nights movie set.
   Local businesses, whose names are on display at the library, generously donated to our program through financial contributions and silent auction items.
   The library staff cheerfully put in countless hours to plan and prepare the event and then volunteered that evening as well. Debbie Monigan happily gave of her event planning experience to help oversee Potterpalooza.
   A special thank you to the teens who helped brainstorm, plan and name the event. The Lambertville community itself responded to the library’s call for volunteers with enthusiasm and excitement, giving an extra spark to our version of the wizarding world.
   Potterpalooza would not have been possible without all of you lending your special Lambertville flare.
   The Harry Potter phenomena was a very unique moment in children’s literature, and the library is very pleased to have been able to bring that moment to life for Lambertville.

Jennifer Sirak
(Professor McGonagall)
children’s librarian
Lambertville Free Public Library

Woman grateful

for return of pet
To the editor:
   I would like to thank the person who found my Chihuahua on Route 29 in Lambertville and took the time to take him safely to New Hope Veterinary Hospital, but did not leave a name.
   Had it not been for your kindness, anything could have happened to my little Chongo, who means the world to me.
   Thanks you, again, from the bottom of my heart for taking care of this stranger’s dog.

Christine Haas
Lambertville

Franchise would

hurt character
To the editor:
   Certainly it is an illusion to think any business selling food that stays open until 3 a.m. or longer won’t cause traffic issues, loitering and noise pollution in addition to extra police patrolling.
   The area designated for the proposed Dunkin’ Donuts is not just a commercial area; it is also a residential area.
   Walking about town, almost everyone I meet is against such a franchise coming to New Hope, not because of opposition to their product per se, but for the real fear of losing the vital sense that has made historic New Hope unique and special, not just like every other town that sold out to the ordinary.
   The greed of landlords throughout history has pushed out small businesses. Let us not let that happen in New Hope.
   Corporate franchises are beginning to be the only businesses that can afford the high rents. Because once changed, we can never go back, and New Hope will have lost its character forever.
   The photos of each shop in town displayed at the previous council meeting by Mr. King only showed and proved once again the individual uniqueness and diversity of businesses in New Hope in sharp and glaring contrast to the standard signage and facade of a corporate franchise.
   Dunkin’ Donuts is so common there are at least three of these franchises on 202 between Flemington and New Hope, plus numerous others throughout Bucks County. Is it really necessary to have another one and in the center of the historical district?
   Does Dunkin’ Donuts corporate even have a recycling program that is environmentally proactive?
   The last possible Borough Council meeting on this subject is slated for Aug. 8 at the high school. Don’t complain in the future if you are silent now.

R. Iain Haight-Ashton
New Hope