SAVE THE WATERFOWL OF COBOURG ONTARIO
- by: Lisa Peterson
- recipient: Mayor and Councillors of Cobourg
One kind man is feeding the swans although it is against the By law of Cobourg.
The swans are in distress due to the extraordinarily cold winter and food and water are limited. He feeds the swans daily and has been given a ticket to pay of $105 and then was issued a second ticket for another $105. He plans to fight the fine . Swans in the area are dying in large numbers. The mayor and councillors of Cobourg need to know that if this person does not feed the birds, they will have dead and dying waterfowl on their hands. It would be a compassionate call on their part to call an amnesty on this case until the crisis is over.
March 16:
I just got this in, it was written by a former Cobourg neighbour of Bill Thompson (the man who was fined twice for feeding the waterfowl at the Cobourg harbour), We have permission to share this, I thought it was very well written (Gil is the mayor of Cobourg):
'Bill and Gil' -- About the Birds
1. Instinct, the intuitive vibration of truth, moral fibre, the higher-self . . the 'knowing' thing to do.
2. Political, the intellectual vibration of control, appearances, the lower ego . . the statist thing to do.
Bill and Gil . . who fits where on this matter? . . as if one needs to ask . . you know in your gut who is right . . certainly not the self-appointed experts . . it's a basic knowing -- try to help a living thing live, not suffer, period. Nothing is cast in stone. Everything evolves. Hold fast and the ride gets bumpy.
Mayors and their councils need to step out of their comfort office and take action, stand fast the higher ground, get it done, show their moral fibre, be natural leaders. He/they did not. Three plus weeks into it and a Fine waiver is motioned -- ahh, so generous, so blah, so little so late.
It should have been Bill and Gil, side by side, buckets in hand, save these dying creatures - be gone security types and 'experts' of the wild - all hands on deck, we have a job to do, by-laws can be bygones for a spell, because 'natural leaders know' the right thing to do.
Not committees, not expensive consultants from faraway places, not silence, not staff press releases, not political editorials from media buddies or silly scientific myth-talkers.
Surely, there can't be that many in town who choose to think it's better to be a No. 2. Maybe.
Town Council held fast because their first instinct is to be a No 2. ‘Gil-ty’.
It's election year. Vote like a No 1 and watch great things happen.
'Bill and Gil' -- About the Birds
1. Instinct, the intuitive vibration of truth, moral fibre, the higher-self . . the 'knowing' thing to do.
2. Political, the intellectual vibration of control, appearances, the lower ego . . the statist thing to do.
Bill and Gil . . who fits where on this matter? . . as if one needs to ask . . you know in your gut who is right . . certainly not the self-appointed experts . . it's a basic knowing -- try to help a living thing live, not suffer, period. Nothing is cast in stone. Everything evolves. Hold fast and the ride gets bumpy.
Mayors and their councils need to step out of their comfort office and take action, stand fast the higher ground, get it done, show their moral fibre, be natural leaders. He/they did not. Three plus weeks into it and a Fine waiver is motioned -- ahh, so generous, so blah, so little so late.
It should have been Bill and Gil, side by side, buckets in hand, save these dying creatures - be gone security types and 'experts' of the wild - all hands on deck, we have a job to do, by-laws can be bygones for a spell, because 'natural leaders know' the right thing to do.
Not committees, not expensive consultants from faraway places, not silence, not staff press releases, not political editorials from media buddies or silly scientific myth-talkers.
Surely, there can't be that many in town who choose to think it's better to be a No. 2. Maybe.
Town Council held fast because their first instinct is to be a No 2. ‘Gil-ty’.
It's election year. Vote like a No 1 and watch great things happen.
UPDATE MARCH 7:
I was just sent this article: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2014/03/06/cobourg-spares-fowl-feeders-for-now Our petition still stands and we will promote it even more so. Please share this link far and wide. As for not fining anyone for the month of March, that is not enough. The ice will not be out by the end of March. We are up to 18 dead birds now from the Cobourg harbour, and I’m confident that when the ice does thaw, there will be more. Why can’t they just say “until the ice is out of the harbour?” The MNR had people there the other day and Bill gave them a dead Canada goose that he found that day, they examined it and said there was emaciated muscle mass & poor body fat on the breast, etc. I want you to know that Bill Thompson has said that he doesn’t want the tickets to be an issue, that this is about the birds and not him. Our stance on that is that they are one and the same. The tickets should have never been issued in the first place, especially now that we understand that in past years under a different mayor, that the town actually bought food for the birds in this situation.
I just can’t wrap my mind around the way this council is thinking. It's not like we are asking for the moon here. They would have many more dead birds on their hands right now had Bill Thompson not come to the rescue of them. We are feeding in Barcoven, Consecon, Trenton, Wellington, and other various small places through out. Everywhere we go, we receive support. Cobourg is the odd man out. We’re not asking you to change the bylaw, we are only asking for amnesty for the birds to be fed, no more tickets “until the ice is out of the harbour” and Bill Thompson’s tickets to be dropped. Honestly, what is the problem with this? I have been contacted by Don Kirkup a 40 year resident and former councillor of the town of Cobourg who is strongly in favour of this petition and our cause.
I just now received the statement from the Cobourg town hall...this is it: Looks like we'll continue with the petition please share share share.....Bill Thompson got his court date for the fines: April 2 @ 9 A.M. We will be going with him and would appreciate anyone's presence to show support.
POSITION STATEMENT – Feeding the Waterfowl
“In regards to feeding the waterfowl at the Cobourg Harbourfront, t...he Town of Cobourg would like to express their awareness of the fact that this is an emotional issue and citizens are acting out of the kindness of their hearts. The town has since issued a moratorium on the enforcement of Bylaw No. 044-2012 until the end of March.
The Town of Cobourg recognizes that it is not a subject matter expert on waterfowl and natural wildlife processes.
After careful review, the Town of Cobourg consulted with provincial government bodies and others including the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Willow Beach Field Naturalists, to provide advice on the matter. These resources have indicated that feeding the wildfowl is not in the best interest of the wildlife population. In conclusion, the Town of Cobourg kindly asks that citizens please become informed and think carefully before they feed the waterfowl.”
POSITION STATEMENT – Feeding the Waterfowl
“In regards to feeding the waterfowl at the Cobourg Harbourfront, t...he Town of Cobourg would like to express their awareness of the fact that this is an emotional issue and citizens are acting out of the kindness of their hearts. The town has since issued a moratorium on the enforcement of Bylaw No. 044-2012 until the end of March.
The Town of Cobourg recognizes that it is not a subject matter expert on waterfowl and natural wildlife processes.
After careful review, the Town of Cobourg consulted with provincial government bodies and others including the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Willow Beach Field Naturalists, to provide advice on the matter. These resources have indicated that feeding the wildfowl is not in the best interest of the wildlife population. In conclusion, the Town of Cobourg kindly asks that citizens please become informed and think carefully before they feed the waterfowl.”
A man in Cobourg has been fined $150.00 for feeding the waterfowl. We are hearing about starving waterfowl of every kind due to the unusual winter we are having. There has been people from wildlife services picking up dead bodies along the shores. We are asking the mayor and councillors of Cobourg Onatario to show your compassion for these birds and call an amnesty on this case until the crisis is over. This man has the support of many in your community. There are hundreds of birds dying all around us. Please show your compassion and your support for your wildlife. Thank you.
Update #310 years ago
From Bill:
I had to break the ice off a couple of swan's beaks this afternoon as they were frozen shut ,as it was very bitter cold this afternoon with a crosswind !!
I made it very clear to the news reporter today to emphasize this issue is NOT about me, it is about saving the wildfowl. I do not want to give the impression that it is a duel between the Council and I because it is not. It is strictly the welfare of all of the birds.
I had to break the ice off a couple of swan's beaks this afternoon as they were frozen shut ,as it was very bitter cold this afternoon with a crosswind !!
I made it very clear to the news reporter today to emphasize this issue is NOT about me, it is about saving the wildfowl. I do not want to give the impression that it is a duel between the Council and I because it is not. It is strictly the welfare of all of the birds.
Update #210 years ago
Bill Thompson received a 2nd fine today for feeding the waterfowl in Cobourg! This is just insanity. They want these birds to starve to death. Please share, share share this petition and help these birds and Bill too! Thank you!
Update #110 years ago
This was in the local newspaper today: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2014/02/24/man-says-ticket-is-for-the-birds
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