Letter to the Editor

In response to some of the comments about my earlier deer cull letter, I’d like to clarify a few points. I support the City of Cranbrook’s deer cull. I did when I was a councillor and I do so now.

But I don’t support mayor and council making such important and sensitive decisions in-camera and hiding their deliberations from the public. They did the same thing when they decided to sell the city’s heritage fire hall and this kind of government in the shadows has got to stop.

I know the city acted in part out of concern about the traps being vandalized, which is a legitimate concern, but not a justification for secrecy. Let’s face it. We’re a small town and secrets are hard to keep.

As well, the trapping permit has to be obtained from the province and that information isn’t confidential. We also know anti-cull groups will go to almost any length to obstruct culls. So what should council do? The answer isn’t rocket science. If another cull is ordered, hopefully after public debate, council should make it a contract condition that the contractor also provides security so that the traps won’t be vandalized. Yes, that would cost more money, but to do a job properly, you’ve got to spend money.

Council has already spent thousands on the culling program and used up countless hours of volunteer time by the deer count committee. So don’t you think it’s time that our city mothers and fathers did the job properly? Maybe if they did and the deer translocation program proved a success it would eliminate the need for culls in the future and end the divisiveness that has hurt the reputation of our town. Maybe, as the experts claim, translocation won’t work, but it’s worth a try. And it would certainly be better than a council that makes all its tough decisions in secret.

Gerry Warner,

Cranbrook

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