HomeMy WebLinkAboutBarr, D DEIS.pdf Davin T. BARR
S rl`=HAUMEM T.e NE
rTHACA.NEW YORK 14850
Attn: Jim Gilmore, Mayor
Cayuga Heights,New York 14850
RE: BAIT AND SHIP VS BAIT AND SHOOT V
Several Saturdays ago, Joy and I had the pleasure of sitting in the
Ithaca College President's box at the football game with Widener of 1
PA.
Seated next to me was our state senator, George Winner of Elmira. We
had an in-depth discussion about the possibility of getting a special
dispensation from the Conservation Department to Bait/Net and
transport by cattle truck, our deer to the Adirondacks, Catskills or
elsewhere.
George was very receptive to the possibility of acquiring this relief, but
the mayor has to get in touch with him!
This humane solution should calm the waters in the Heights and allow
its to go forward without complaint or demonstration!
Respectfully submitted,
David and Joy Barr
3 Triphammer Lane
Ithaca, NY 14850
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Village of ffauttga Heights
MARCHAM HALL
836 HANSHAW ROAD Telephone
ITHACA,N.Y. 14850 607-257-1238
Office Hours
9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Honorable George H.Winner,Jr.,New York State Senator
New York State Senate, 53rd District
228 Lake Street, P.O. Box 588
Elmira, New York 14902
Dear Senator Winner, 10/15/09
On behalf of my neighbors and constituents,and at the request of my friends Dave
and joy Barr, I respectfully make the following request:
Background Information: I
1) The Village of Cayuga Heights, adjacent to Cornell University in the Town of
Ithaca,has been discussing what to do about our deer overpopulation
problem for over a decade. Plans were implemented at the turn of this
decade that solely included sterilization to lower herd population.The DEC,
Cornell University Veterinary School,Village of Cayuga Height's
Administration and Residents all corroborated. It failed to have an impact at
great expense.
2) The administration and newly elected officials have decided to tackle this
issue again,and we've come up with a plan to booth sterilize and euthanize
the deer to a more natural population, such as those in rural settings. The
problem with this plan is it's very costly to our roughly 4.000 residents,
creating a tax burden of approximately 5%,and a cost of about$900,000
over 10 years.
3) We would intend to turn over all harvested deer venison to the Southern Tier
Foodbank
4) We are under pressure by groups largely living outside our municipality,not
to harm or affect any of these deer. They have been fighting us at each step of
the way,and PETA and Defenders of Wildlife may be involved,as well as one
very wealthy individual living in our Village allegedly underwriting almost
full-time local activists. We are concerned with the ongoing legal expense
and time involved with combating this movement,although we are
determined.
(Page two/Senator winner letter)
Our Request:
We would like a"SPECIAL DISPENSATION TO TRANSPORT A MAJOR PORTION OF
OUR DEER SAFELY ELSEWHERE TO THE CLOSEST NYS/DEC SANCTIONED
LOCATION"
We understand current DEC regulations do not allow transporting deer by truck
from one location to another,due to concerns such as:
a) It could spread wildlife disease if unhealthy deer are put in other /
environments.WE WOULD ONLY SHIP HEALTHY ANIMALS. /
b) Deer may not be able to feed themselves in unknown environments.WE
SUGGEST TRANSPORT AT BEST TIME OF YEAR, IE SPRING.
c) Encroaching new populations deposited would upset deer populations
natural to existing environments. DEER POPULATIONS ALREADY UPSET
HERE. /
d) Some deer would be injured during capture and transport. WE WOULD
ENDEAVOR TO BE AS SAFE AND HUMANE TO THE ANIMALS AS POSSIBLE. /
I EMPHASIZE,this notion of transport is not sanctioned by my Board as they have
cast it off as "illegal", but at one of my more prominent constituent's suggestion,I
appeal to you Senator Winner,to consider this a special situation allowing for the
possibility of a"Special Dispensation"under your and the DEC's sanction.
I spoke with your office recently and at their suggestion, I send this request for your
consideration. This is not a perfect solution. Should it be granted under specific
guidelines,we would still need to enact a long-term solution,but my and my
constituent's hope is that transport would allow us to preserve maintenance of a
lower deer population,lessening the need to euthanize as a method to bring our
herd numbers down. Any action we take will require the Village of Cayuga Heights
Trustee's support,which I would seek if you see a possibility here.
Thank you for your consideration and vigilance in Albany!
Sincerely,
Jim Gilmore,Mayor
cc. Dave&Joy Barr,Village of Cayuga Heights