HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ Stein.PDFGandhi said: The ihuman voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the
still, small voice of conscience.
For two and a hal'f years now, a diversity of voices have attempted to reach this
Board. Sorne have appealed to your intellect, presenting opinions from top
scientists in lyme disease, in forest ecology, in veterinary science - all of whom
examined Cayuga Heights'deer plan and refuted both its assumptions and its
conclusions. These renowned experts used the words "misleading,, and ,,deeply
flawed" to describe your plan. Yet, in a village where people boast they have the
most PhDs per capita, the voice of science and reason has failed to reach you.
Some of the vofrcers over the last two and a half years have appealed to your sense
of responsibility as caretakers of this village. They've reminded you the title of
"trustee" is derived from the word "trust". yet, you have failed to answer even
the most basic questions residents have raised about the safety, practicality and
ethics of your deer-killing plan. You will raise residents' taxes by as much as STo,
but you won't tell them what over 25Yo of the budget will pay for, with $ZZS,OOO
slated for vaguely described duties that appear to have nothing to do with
alleviating deer conflicts. Paul Curtis, the architect of your plan, admits there is no
predictable outcome, yet you feeljustified choosing this dangerous, uncertain and
controversial approach over proven, non-violent alternatives that will provide
residents with relief now.
So the voices of rerason and accountability have failed to reach you. Ho has the
voice of conscience fared in this room? I have witnessed village residents pleading
for the lives of individual deer they care about. Some have said they will
experience emotional trauma if this program is carried out. Others don't want
their children exposed to wanton violence, or being taught the lesson that killing
solves problems. Sieveral residents sincerely stated their intention to leave the
Village if this program is implemented. yet, you all appear unmoved.
What would Gandhi make of people like you, who have all the education and
resources to comet up with creative solutions that will bring the community
together, yet insterad, choose a path of violence that can only lead to more toxic
dischord. where is your conscience? A lot of us would like to know.
$*1Q*.