Deer issue should
not be delayed
Feeding wild deer in Ocean Shores has become a problem for many of our citizens. Several local citizens addressed the City Council Meeting on July 24th with a variety of reasons that a law should be passed that outlaws feeding the deer ANYTHING. A few years ago this same group was successful having an ordinance passed saying it is illegal to feed the deer grain or processed food. We had no idea that the feeders would move on to feeding apples by the bushel. Washington State fish and Wildlife states that too much sugar (apples and Corn) are extremely bad for the deer digestive system. Furthermore, too much sugar has resulted in some of the deer developing diabetes. One of the results of diabetes in deer is called slipper foot. The hooves become soft and sloppy which in turn shortens their lives because they can no longer escape predators or automobiles.
The City Council agreed to put this issue on the agenda but some thought it should be delayed until the first of the year because there are ” budget priorities and health and human services issues.” I disagree for several reasons. To stop feeding them in the middle of winter would be cruel to the deer. Stop feeding them when there is plenty of natural food, and this is the season right now.
Besides, all that has to happen if the City Council agrees with us is, change the wording in the original ordinance. One word will do it.
ANYTHING.
Donovan Scott
Ocean Shores
Facts to clear up rumors
about city government
Rumors are going about town that our mayor is making so much money that we cannot afford to pay for necessities we need. I can only surmise these rumors are being spread by newbies to Ocean Shores who have no idea what this city has gone through financially in the past 6-8 years. Though Mayor Dingler is not currently running for office, what is said about her reflects on folks who are running for City Council. Sacrifices were made in years past, particularly by the mayor, to help rectify the financial burdens heaped on us by previous administrations and by the “great recession”. I don’t pretend to know much about the city’s financial status but I do know that she, and others, like John Lynn and Steve Ensley, helped get us out of the deep hole this city was in. We can thank them in part for the fact there is now a surplus and not a deficit in our city’s funds. I think it would be good if a financial rundown (including how much the mayor drew for a salary in the first couple years of her first term) could be made public to educate the ignorant and remind the absent-minded of how far we have come in the past 3-4 years toward pulling us out of the financial abyss we were in. My votes will go to John Lynn and Steve Ensley, because they know what needs to be done to continue to carry us forward, and to a relative newbie, Lisa Griebel, who does her homework, knows what is going on or will find out and will do her best for our fair city.
Patty Lavallee
Ocean Shores
