Posted on 06/26/2013 1:50:57 PM PDT by lowbridge
The bird feeder in Alfred and Annette Rockefeller's back yard attracts five different species of birds. A Ramsey couple are facing up to $500 in fines for their bird feeder, above, which has drawn complaints from neighbors. The borough has an ordinance against feeding wildlife, and an official said the feeder draws other animals.
It has also drawn the attention of borough officials, who issued the couple a summons for feeding wildlife after receiving complaints from neighbors.
Alfred Rockefeller, 77, who is disabled and homebound, said feeding the birds is one of his few joys since he became confined to his Cobblestone Lane home two years ago.
But the borough's environmental health specialist, Leo Egan, said that the wire wreath-style feeder filled with peanuts hanging beside the couple's deck is not appropriate for birds.
"He stated emphatically that birds do not eat peanuts," said Rockefeller.
Now, the Rockefellers must appear in court Tuesday to answer the summons — issued on May 2 by borough police — which could result in a fine of $250 to $500.
Neighboring towns, including Allendale and Mahwah, say they have laws against feeding wildlife but summonses are uncommon.
The Rockefellers said they used to spread bird food on the ground, but borough officials visited their home and said that was not allowed. In response, they bought the hanging feeder last fall.
Several months later, Rockefeller glanced out the window and saw Egan in his yard clutching a camera. Soon after, the summons arrived.
(Excerpt) Read more at northjersey.com ...
Stellar post ;o)
Shunning needs to come back in style. This petty tyrant is one of many examples of why exactly why decent people despise liberals.
More taxes leads to more government which can only bring more oppression.
5? That’s all they get? I get double that at least and I’m a piker, very common birds.
My neighbors must be absolutely bristling at our feeders in front.
She ought to be glad she wasn’t cited for feeding the wildlife.
“He stated emphatically that birds do not eat peanuts”
What? Total BS!
The feed companies must be really stupid, then!
A Blue Jay will.
Reason number 607 why I live in the country. I can have as many bird feeders as I want.
Wasn’t that what happened to that man in MA who shot the bear the other month?
I'd venture to guess that noisy early morning bird squabbles are waking a neighbor and that is the source of complaints. The old guy is probably deaf enough that it doesn't bother or wake him, or he is already awake that early.
Lots of birds do.
The best ready-made feed you can get is fruit&nut. All kinds of birds LOVE all that stuff.
“There was spillover, and other neighbors had damage to their gardens from the animals. They were putting in expensive plantings and getting them decimated.
“Ducks, deer, geese, squirrels, chipmunks and groundhogs, among other animals, were being lured...”
Nowhere do I see any mention of anyone having the nerve to ASK these people to do something about their feeders.
Instead, they tattle behind backs like little cowards. (I have a basketball hoop issue, much more “dangerous” than animals hurting pretty plants, and only recently made a mention indicating my irritation about it - wish I had more guts to come right out. But I’m not yet going to the county.)
Maybe if they asked the people if they could tone it down, move it somewhere else, change feed, etc, it would be settled without all the rancor. Instead, they raise the couple’s ire by sicking the law on them.
Where did he purchase the feeder and birdfeed?
If there is an ordinance against feeding wildlife, then why do they allow the sale of that paraphrenalia to the general public?
If I were this man, I'd throw it back at the burrough and argue that they have an unenforceable ordinance that allows for the sale of bird feeding equipment, but then bans its use. The burrough can't be allowed to have conflicting ordinances like that.
It's like designing a road through town that rates at 45 mph, and then setting the speed limit on it at 30 mph and ticketing drivers who do 45 mph. The ticketed driver would argue that the city mis-applied the speed limit.
In this case, the ordinance should not be on feeding the birds, it should be inclusive of selling bird feeding equipment, too, and punishing the sellers equally or nobody at all.
-PJ
Sometimes what the neighbor complains about isn’t what the actual problem is. Complaining about noisy bird squabbles won’t get the enviral officer to act, so they complained about something that fit the ordinance.
I am suspicious of the the claim regarding ducks and geese being attracted to a hanging caged feeder. Is there a pond close by?
Soome neighbor wants that feeder gone and will say what ever they have to in order to make that happen.
Update: Ramsey couple seeks to resolve bird feeder case out of court - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Ramsey_court_case_over_peanut-dispensing_birdfeeder_is_adjourned_while_parties_seek_resolution.html#sthash.k8YZZYmj.dpuf
They seem to think it boils down to Officer Egans firm belief that peanuts are not an appropriate bird feed.
I live in a bird sanctuary area where everyone is encouraged to feed them.
WHAT !!!!
An old man has JOY ?
We can’t have THAT in the new world order, comrade!
/endsarcasm
Some states need to be blown up.
An Alaskan neighbor thought it was wonderful to bring home left over food from restaurants and throw it out in his yard every day for the birds .... Vile! 20 to 30 ravens and gulls left droppings on the entire blocks roofs, were loud and pests. You could see the flock following him home in his truck everyday at feeding time. The bird poop was getting disgusting. The neighbors and the borough had to ask them to stop. Bird feeders, nut and seed attract bears to your yard. Not good for bear or human. Let the birds find more natural food. The deer where I live are like flies - every where - every day. I love nature but I don’t feed it.
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