Chatham-Kent Mayor Bill Erickson says municipal efforts to drive crows into rural areas appear to be working.
He said the crow cull will not be called off despite the latest round of criticism, this time from a newly formed Chatham organization calling itself Chatham Regional Organization for Wildlife and Environment, or CROWE.
"We appear to, be making good progress," said the mayor
CROWE spokeswoman Lori Jensen, in an open letter to the mayor and council, said the organization's aim is to establish a sensible and sustainable policy in Chatham-Kent for dealing with wildlife and environmental issues.
"We are voting citizens of this community and we intend to make sure that our elected representatives hear and respond to our concerns," she said in her letter
Erickson said he would have no objbction to meeting with Jensen to discuss her. concerns; He said the ,first he learned of the new organization was while reading The Chatham Daily News.
Jensen said she would agree to meet Erickson. She said the organization consists of a 10-member steering committee and several members at large.
Wallaceburg Coun. Chip Gordon suggested Jensen and her group should come to council with a plan on how to deal with the crow problem.
If we treat the crows to keep them, we are going to wind up with even more crows on our hands or heads," said Gordon. "It sounds like this new organization would like us to put out feeders for the crows."
Gordon said the crow problem in Chatham must he resolved.
"Let's get it done," he said. "Sitting back and doing nothing is not the solution."
South Kent Coun. Frank Vercouteren. said he could not support a request from CROWE wanting, among other things, establishment of a bylaw requiring all Chatham residents to use crow-proof garbage containers.
"Forcing Chatham residents to use crow-proof garbage containers is a waste of time and money," said Vercouteren,
"Think of how much it would cost to enforce such a ruling and who would enforce it?"
Vercouteren claims crows aren't simply flying into Chatham to search for food, but rather to roost at night in lighted areas of the ward where they can protect themselves from their main predator - owls.
"Chasing them off by shooting them is the only alternative . . . I don't see any way around it."
Chatham Coun. Mel Crew agrees: "The crows are a problem and I don't see any solution to the problem other than shooting them."
Crew said forcing Chatham residents, particularly senior citizens, to use crow-proof garbage containers would not only be costly but could create health risks to them while hauling them to the road through snow and ice.
Chatham Coun. Janet McGuigan agrees with CROWE that council should create a wildlife management policy that stresses the use of non-lethal methods of control.
"I certainly don't think we should be shooting crows in residential areas of the city," she said. "And I don't think we have explored all of the alternatives."
Mc, Gulgan said council should consult with a wildlife expert to see what can be done to rid the community of crows.
Chatham Coun. Don Clarke said that he supports the use of crow- proof garbage containers and thinks shooting of the birds should only be the last resort.
At the same time, he said he realizes there is a problem with crows and that it has to be controlled.
"Shooting crows is nothing new," he said. "Farmers have been doing it for years."
South Kent Coun.' Maurice Van Gassen said action is necessary to deal with a nuisance problem. He said that unless steps are taken now, the situation will only get worse in future years.
As for crow-proof garbage containers, Van Gassen said Chathamites can decide, on their own, if they want to make that type of investment. He said they shouldn't be forced with bylaws to purchase the containers.
Erickson said Jensen and other members of CROWE should take the time to talk to those Chathamites, who are demanding action be taken to rid the community of crows.
"It's nice to see Jensen wanting to be involved in her community, said Erickson. "But I don't think she should be misleading the public and especially young people with some of the points contained in her open letter."
Erickson said he also wants Jensen to know there is no crow cull taking place in the Ward of Chatham.
"Action is being taken in an attempt to move the crows out of Chatham," he said. "Those actions have been approved by the majori ty of council and are being carried out in a safe and proper way by authorized people."
Chatham Coun. Paul Watson said he doesn't believe shooting crows at this time of year is an effective way of dealing with the problem. He said the efforts have to begin in the late fall.Watson said he also favours crow-proof garbage containers.
Not all councillors could be reached for comment.
CROWE is recommending a seven-step action plan including enforcing the existing bylaw that stops people from putting their garbage out too early, enforcing the existing excessive noise bylaws and enforcing the existing bylaws that prohibit the discharging of firearms in Chatham.
The organization is also recommending the creation of a wildlife management policy for Chatham Kent that stresses the use of non-lethal methods of control.
Another recommendation is that the weapons paid for by council are in the hands of police or licensed animal conservation officers. It says public works has no need of firearms.
Jensen says anyone sharing CROWE's concerns, or having practical ideas about ways to manage wildlife and the environment responsibly, should call 351-9000.