Letter to the editor: ‘Hunger is an issue, but not for songbirds’

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 9:45pm

I'm concerned that the letter to the editor sent by Gian Gallace on June 6 regarding the proposed town ordinance to prohibit the feeding of wild animals was very misleading.

The ordinance up for vote at the town meeting on June 15 in no way prevents the feeding of song birds using bird feeders.

Here's the part of the ordinance that makes that clear:

C. This ordinance does not prohibit the feeding of songbirds using well-maintained bird feeders

The problem that the ordinance is trying to solve is the excess feeding of waterfowl. 

Testimony before the Select Board from Camden residents discusses neighborhoods being overrun by gulls and the damage they are causing and that excess ground feed is attracting rats.

The best place to hear the points for and against the issue - the best way to understand why the Select Board has crafted the ordinance - is to watch the Select Board meeting discussion that happened on May 3.

All of the Camden Select Board meetings are streamed and can be watched at any time.

On May 3, the Select Board heard testimony from a number of residents of Camden in favor of the ordinance and from Mr.Gallace who is against it.

The discussion begins at 21:17 at this session of the Select Board at the following link:

http://www.townhallstreams.com/locations/camden-me/events/32203/camden_town_hall

Here is the link to the proposed ordinance so it can be read in full:

http://www.camdenmaine.gov/vertical/sites/%7B12179FA6-CABE-432E-868D-862BE81D9F03%7D/uploads/Camden_ordinance_on_feeding_wildlife_v2.pdf

On a personal note - I noticed that Mr.Gallace said in the May 3 meeting, and I'm quoting, "I've spent literally tens of thousands of dollars to feed these gulls..." You can hear him say it clearly on the May 3 meeting link.

Right now in Knox County there are serious hunger issues for many seniors and especially grade school children. Here's a quote from a story on food insecurities from Pen Bay Pilot from last August:

According to a Maine Department of Education report, 46% of Knox County school children live in homes where they miss meals because sometimes there is no food. In eight of the ten schools in RSU 13, the number is over 50%, with South Elementary School at 91%. At Rockland District Middle School 65% qualify for free or reduced priced breakfasts and lunches.

http://www.penbaypilot.com/article/hunger-knox-county-presented-area-interfaith-outreach-and-knox-county-meals/57914

Last year during a big snowstorm on a Friday my family donated our time to Meals On Wheels because they needed a replacement driver with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. If the meals for the Rockport and Camden area residents didn't get delivered that Friday - the people that needed them wouldn't get another delivery until the following Monday. We spent almost the entire day delivering meals in the snowstorm with the temperature hovering at minus 5 degrees. Myself, my wife, Kim, and our (at the time) 9-year-old son, Ethan (school was canceled), delivered the meals. Finally at the last house at about 3 p.m., Kim took the meal down the driveway to the house and a fragile older lady opened the door. When Kim asked her if she'd like her to put the meal in the refrigerator the lady "No, that's OK, I'd like to eat it now".

 I cannot forget her reply.

She was hungry.

She wouldn't get another meal delivery from Meals On Wheels until Monday.

I love birds. We all do. The world would be a far lesser place without them. But I find that this ordinance is a very minor issue when we have much bigger problems to deal with.

No matter what side of this issue or any other town matter you're interested in - please take the time to vote at the town firehouse on June 14th and also at the town meeting at the Opera House on June 15.

Marc Ratner lives in Camden and is running for a seat on the Camden Select Board