Letters to the Editor 05-11-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Swan Slaughter - Swan Hunting - Inhumane Swan Killing - Beautiful Swans - Reform
Swan Slaughter
Editor, Times-Union:Most of the residents on Backwater Lake, North Webster, are horrified at the slaughter of the mute swans. This week alone we know of 10 that have been killed in one day. We understand that it only takes one person to complain about the swans being a nuisance and the DNR will issue a permit for someone to remove by any means, the swans, their nests and babies. We don't understand how only one person can speak for everyone on the lake. This permit is unlimited. They can kill as many as they want. Indiana has passed a law after June 1 that will allow mute swans to be taken at anytime without a permit.
We do not know how the swans act on other lakes, but here on the backwaters they do not bother anyone. We hardly ever see a swan out of the water, and as far as being aggressive and hostile, as we have read in another newspaper article, this is absolutely not true back here. I'm sure they could be if they are nesting, or have little ones, but this is true of any animal wanting to protect their young.
An article in another local newspaper states that they damage wetland habitats by overgrazing aquatic vegetation, leaving inadequate food and habitat for other wetland inhabitants. On our lake, we have more than enough vegetation to support the swans, geese and ducks and all the other animals. If they destroy so much of the vegetation, then why are we asked each year to pay to have the lake sprayed to kill the aquatic vegetation?
You may have only a handful of swans, but have you ever counted the geese on a lake sometimes on the backwaters? There can be up to 200 geese at one time, and they do not stay in the water. Have you ever come home from work and have 50 to 75 geese sitting on your lawn, eating your nice grass and crapping everywhere? They do not just crap on your lawn, it is your sidewalks, decks and piers. There is so much crap on your lawn, you can't even walk near the lake or send your kids out to play. But do we ask for all the geese to be killed? No.
To come home after a long day at work and go out onto your patio and sit and watch the swans and other water fowl is very relaxing, but to us on the backwater it has turned into a very sad time. A lot of us even had names for some of the swans and we would feed them at our piers. How aggressive does this sound? When they had their babies, they would bring them over to the piers so we could all see them.
Something needs to be done or this unnecessary slaughter of one of God's beautiful creatures will happen on all the area lakes after June 1. I'm a concerned lake resident.
Catherine Nichols
North Webster
Swan Hunting
Editor, Times-Union:We have an urgent issue that needs immediate attention.
I live on Backwater/Webster Lake in North Webster. I am a concerned mother writing with the hope someone can help.
In June there will be open season on the mute swans. As I understand that means anyone at anytime can come on this 300-acre lake and shoot at these swans with no rules, regulations, set times or limits. My husband and I have lakefront property and two small children who enjoy playing in our yard as well as fishing and boating. They, as well as anyone else on or near the lake, will not be safe from gunfire if this open season happens.
I have lived on this lake for more than 10 years and I do accept hunting as a way of life on the lake. Hunters have rules and set times. We feel open season with shooting anytime should not be an option on this lake for the safety of all that enjoy this lake. I, as well as many other residents, would not oppose a controlled hunting season of the swans if necessary to keep them under control. The swans have no rights. We as citizens should have the right to be safe.
Mary Mallory
North Webster
Inhumane Swan Killing
Editor, Times-Union:We are horrified at the inhumane way that the mute swans are being killed on Backwater and Webster lakes. It is spring and with the slaughter of the swans the baby swans are being left to fend for themselves, which, of course, they cannot.
Starting in June it will be open season on these beautiful birds. With open season comes a real fear for anyone hoping to enjoy a day on the lake.
Anyone anytime can shoot the swans. No license. No rules. The danger to people who enjoy fishing and boating is obvious. Backwater Lake is less than 300 acres.
Our situation is urgent.
The killing of the swans is not called hunting. Rightfully so. Hunters have rules - hunters have certain seasons - they also have to pay for a license. Most hunters are respectful.
Were I a hunter and had to pay for a license and obey all of the rules - I would be very offended. We who enjoy the lake know when hunting season is and exercise some cautions.
A very dangerous situation has been unleashed.
We need to feel safe from people with guns and no rules.
Bobbie Davis
North Webster
Beautiful Swans
Editor, Times-Union:It may be too late but this is concerning the swans. Those that graced Lake Webster, Backwater Lake, Syracuse Lake, Wawasee and probably many other area lakes.
These were beautiful creatures not meant for destruction. There were probably close to 100 of these majestic birds on Backwater alone.
They were doing no harm and the general public enjoyed them immensely. Then individuals of the DNR, how high up and low down I don't know, decided to slaughter these beautiful creatures.
These individuals (who have overstepped their power) should be first of all fired, then heavily fined, and I believe jail time would be appropriate. And this for sanctioning the destruction of this beautiful creature.
Even after this initial slaughter, I saw a pair of swans that had survived and they had six little ones with them.
Surely, the DNR is not serving the public by going against their wishes and destroying this magnificent graceful bird that has done no harm to anyone.
I am not alone in this. These birds add a greater enjoyment to all our lakes to all who see and appreciate them.
The DNR needs to be held accountable for their actions in this matter.
This is my opinion. I'm not alone.
This is my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Thomas Kruger
North Webster
Reform
Editor, Times-Union:I can appreciate Mr. Mauk's concern about the future of our country. I, too, am disgusted and frustrated. I believe the corporate whoring by both parties at all levels needs to stop. We do not need lobbying reform. We need lobbying to end. Politicians pretend to listen to their constituents, but in reality, pimp their votes out to the highest bidder. In the meantime we are left paying the bills for their incompetence.
The working class are facing extinction. Our tax dollars are used to uphold corrupt foreign governments in the name of democracy. We are subsidizing the greed of big oil through tax breaks in the name of supply and demand. We are providing healthcare through our tax dollars to the workers of employers who refuse to provide them with affordable healthcare in the name of capitalism. We are losing our manufacturing jobs with a living wage and benefits to outsourcing in the name of free enterprise. We are being forced to dig our own graves while the politicians and corporatists decide who comes next in the food chain.
The polarization in our nation has become so rabid that I'm inclined to entertain the idea of a third or fourth party. The two-party system is clearly failing the majority of us. I have supported the democratic party since 1972, but there is no room for me in the party of Hillary and Evan.
Before we can accomplish anything we must demand all voting machines supply a paper trail. We cannot merely trust the word of companies providing the machines. Remember they have lobbied someone somewhere encouraging their use.
Joseph Stalin once said, "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything."
Janet Collins
Etna Green
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- Swan Slaughter - Swan Hunting - Inhumane Swan Killing - Beautiful Swans - Reform
Swan Slaughter
Editor, Times-Union:Most of the residents on Backwater Lake, North Webster, are horrified at the slaughter of the mute swans. This week alone we know of 10 that have been killed in one day. We understand that it only takes one person to complain about the swans being a nuisance and the DNR will issue a permit for someone to remove by any means, the swans, their nests and babies. We don't understand how only one person can speak for everyone on the lake. This permit is unlimited. They can kill as many as they want. Indiana has passed a law after June 1 that will allow mute swans to be taken at anytime without a permit.
We do not know how the swans act on other lakes, but here on the backwaters they do not bother anyone. We hardly ever see a swan out of the water, and as far as being aggressive and hostile, as we have read in another newspaper article, this is absolutely not true back here. I'm sure they could be if they are nesting, or have little ones, but this is true of any animal wanting to protect their young.
An article in another local newspaper states that they damage wetland habitats by overgrazing aquatic vegetation, leaving inadequate food and habitat for other wetland inhabitants. On our lake, we have more than enough vegetation to support the swans, geese and ducks and all the other animals. If they destroy so much of the vegetation, then why are we asked each year to pay to have the lake sprayed to kill the aquatic vegetation?
You may have only a handful of swans, but have you ever counted the geese on a lake sometimes on the backwaters? There can be up to 200 geese at one time, and they do not stay in the water. Have you ever come home from work and have 50 to 75 geese sitting on your lawn, eating your nice grass and crapping everywhere? They do not just crap on your lawn, it is your sidewalks, decks and piers. There is so much crap on your lawn, you can't even walk near the lake or send your kids out to play. But do we ask for all the geese to be killed? No.
To come home after a long day at work and go out onto your patio and sit and watch the swans and other water fowl is very relaxing, but to us on the backwater it has turned into a very sad time. A lot of us even had names for some of the swans and we would feed them at our piers. How aggressive does this sound? When they had their babies, they would bring them over to the piers so we could all see them.
Something needs to be done or this unnecessary slaughter of one of God's beautiful creatures will happen on all the area lakes after June 1. I'm a concerned lake resident.
Catherine Nichols
North Webster
Swan Hunting
Editor, Times-Union:We have an urgent issue that needs immediate attention.
I live on Backwater/Webster Lake in North Webster. I am a concerned mother writing with the hope someone can help.
In June there will be open season on the mute swans. As I understand that means anyone at anytime can come on this 300-acre lake and shoot at these swans with no rules, regulations, set times or limits. My husband and I have lakefront property and two small children who enjoy playing in our yard as well as fishing and boating. They, as well as anyone else on or near the lake, will not be safe from gunfire if this open season happens.
I have lived on this lake for more than 10 years and I do accept hunting as a way of life on the lake. Hunters have rules and set times. We feel open season with shooting anytime should not be an option on this lake for the safety of all that enjoy this lake. I, as well as many other residents, would not oppose a controlled hunting season of the swans if necessary to keep them under control. The swans have no rights. We as citizens should have the right to be safe.
Mary Mallory
North Webster
Inhumane Swan Killing
Editor, Times-Union:We are horrified at the inhumane way that the mute swans are being killed on Backwater and Webster lakes. It is spring and with the slaughter of the swans the baby swans are being left to fend for themselves, which, of course, they cannot.
Starting in June it will be open season on these beautiful birds. With open season comes a real fear for anyone hoping to enjoy a day on the lake.
Anyone anytime can shoot the swans. No license. No rules. The danger to people who enjoy fishing and boating is obvious. Backwater Lake is less than 300 acres.
Our situation is urgent.
The killing of the swans is not called hunting. Rightfully so. Hunters have rules - hunters have certain seasons - they also have to pay for a license. Most hunters are respectful.
Were I a hunter and had to pay for a license and obey all of the rules - I would be very offended. We who enjoy the lake know when hunting season is and exercise some cautions.
A very dangerous situation has been unleashed.
We need to feel safe from people with guns and no rules.
Bobbie Davis
North Webster
Beautiful Swans
Editor, Times-Union:It may be too late but this is concerning the swans. Those that graced Lake Webster, Backwater Lake, Syracuse Lake, Wawasee and probably many other area lakes.
These were beautiful creatures not meant for destruction. There were probably close to 100 of these majestic birds on Backwater alone.
They were doing no harm and the general public enjoyed them immensely. Then individuals of the DNR, how high up and low down I don't know, decided to slaughter these beautiful creatures.
These individuals (who have overstepped their power) should be first of all fired, then heavily fined, and I believe jail time would be appropriate. And this for sanctioning the destruction of this beautiful creature.
Even after this initial slaughter, I saw a pair of swans that had survived and they had six little ones with them.
Surely, the DNR is not serving the public by going against their wishes and destroying this magnificent graceful bird that has done no harm to anyone.
I am not alone in this. These birds add a greater enjoyment to all our lakes to all who see and appreciate them.
The DNR needs to be held accountable for their actions in this matter.
This is my opinion. I'm not alone.
This is my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Thomas Kruger
North Webster
Reform
Editor, Times-Union:I can appreciate Mr. Mauk's concern about the future of our country. I, too, am disgusted and frustrated. I believe the corporate whoring by both parties at all levels needs to stop. We do not need lobbying reform. We need lobbying to end. Politicians pretend to listen to their constituents, but in reality, pimp their votes out to the highest bidder. In the meantime we are left paying the bills for their incompetence.
The working class are facing extinction. Our tax dollars are used to uphold corrupt foreign governments in the name of democracy. We are subsidizing the greed of big oil through tax breaks in the name of supply and demand. We are providing healthcare through our tax dollars to the workers of employers who refuse to provide them with affordable healthcare in the name of capitalism. We are losing our manufacturing jobs with a living wage and benefits to outsourcing in the name of free enterprise. We are being forced to dig our own graves while the politicians and corporatists decide who comes next in the food chain.
The polarization in our nation has become so rabid that I'm inclined to entertain the idea of a third or fourth party. The two-party system is clearly failing the majority of us. I have supported the democratic party since 1972, but there is no room for me in the party of Hillary and Evan.
Before we can accomplish anything we must demand all voting machines supply a paper trail. We cannot merely trust the word of companies providing the machines. Remember they have lobbied someone somewhere encouraging their use.
Joseph Stalin once said, "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything."
Janet Collins
Etna Green
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