[OFFICIAL’S ADDRESS] 

 

Dear [OFFICIAL], 

 

I am a resident of Medina city and oppose the deer culling ordinance up for approval.  

 

I am highly concerned with the safety of neighbors, children, and pets. The average lot size in Medina is 1/3 acre. How can you pass a proposal that does not state any specified areas or acreage restrictions? 

 

A longbow can travel up to 5000 feet putting any person or pet in its path at risk. If you’ve never shot a longbow or a crossbow and killed an animal, are you qualified to state this is a safe ordinance and have a true understanding of the risks? 

 

In 1976, the population was 15,000 and Medina passed an ordinance to prohibit hunting within city limits due to safety concerns. Today, our population is 26,000. Please explain why you feel it’s safe today with an increase in the population of 11,000? 

 

Jansen stated he did not have the time or tools to handle deer complaints. What extra resources is the city bringing in or hiring to oversee this program as it requires a great amount of oversight? What is the budget allotted to hire an additional headcount? If there’s no budget or additional headcount, how will this program be monitored? How can citizens possibly feel assured that police will hold hunters accountable when they couldn’t control the fireworks over July 4th weekend? 

 

Culling deer will not control its population due to the high reproductive rate. Each year, Medina must kill enough deer to significantly reduce the herd, and then continue to kill deer to keep the population from bouncing back. Are you stating that you’re willing to jeopardize our citizens’ and pets’ safety year after year? 

 

Culling will not effectively thin the herd. Once the killing starts, deer will move into areas off limits to hunters, and once it’s over, move back to their original territory. You will still hear complaints of deer eating plants and defecating in yards. There will still be dead deer on the side of the road and car accidents. So, what is realistically being accomplished here except opening yourself up to a potential tragedy?

 

An effective alternative is a non-lethal, humane deer management plan focused on resolving conflicts with deer. Show Medina that you care about the responsible management of our state’s natural resources and the wildlife in our beautiful city. Are you open to exploring this option? 

 

Allow the citizens of Medina to vote on what safety risks they’re willing to take for themselves on this critical ordinance. Let the people vote at the polling booth with factual numbers instead of here say, anecdotes, or personal vendettas of council members. 

Will you put this critical issue on the ballot?  

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I will await your direct answers to my direct questions and implore you to reject this ordinance. 

 

 

Sincerely, 

 

[NAME] 

[ADDRESS & CONTACT INFORMATION]