DEER: Dalton or Snitch City?

Last week our illustrious mayor and City Council caved in to the anti-deer faction in Dalton Gardens by voting in a no feed/trapping ordinance. Section one in part states how deer pose a threat to both humans and pets by direct conflict, not to mention the potential transmission of disease to Dalton Gardens residents from deer. Of course we must not forget the predator population which is probably lurking right around the corner.

Give me a break Mr. Mayor, enough with the scare tactics. More than 90 percent of the reasoning in section one was debunked by the deer committee you formed and on which my wife and I served for more than a year.

Now for the implementation of said ordinance. It is my understanding that the ordinance enforcement officer for Dalton Gardens is not likely to be patrolling the streets searching said streets for violations. Instead, the city will primarily depend on neighbors turning in their next-door neighbors to the city. Let’s see, neighbors spying on neighbors — nice, starting to sound like 1935 Germany. It is my understanding that the city will be asking the sheriff’s office to issue a $100 citation for the violator’s second confirmed violation. The sheriff’s office has a difficult time providing routine patrol for the city of Dalton Gardens. Now they will be asked to issue a citation to, a resident who had the audacity to violate your ordinance. Unlike your imaginary predators, Mr. Mayor, hate and discontent is what you will have lurking around the corner.

You know, Mr. Mayor, you really ought to consider scrapping the above implementation portion of your ordinance. Just replace your ordinance enforcement officer and KCSO with drones. You could call the program Drones Over Dalton.

If implemented, the trapping ordinance would deplete city coffers by about $5,000. Let’s see, $25 deer at $250 per head. What a waste of taxpayer money. Especially when there are other projects/services of importance that need funding.

All you and the council have done is to placate a group of residents who in many cases refuse to take personal responsibility for their property. In other words, they are like a person who knowingly purchases a house next to a busy airport then shortly after complains about the airplane noise.

GARY PERKINS

Dalton Gardens