Town Reconsiders Geese Cull

Canada geese are safe – for now.  

After outcry from animal rights proponents, the Town of North Hempstead has backed off its plan to cull up to 600 geese through euthanization. Fowled grounds and the poop geese leave behind were discussed at the May 14 meeting.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation estimates the geese population had grown to more than 207,000 statewide by 2011, an explosion thanks to a lack of natural predators, limited hunting and ample grass and ponds. The DEC even has a section of its website titled “Nuisance Canada Geese.”

“The Town’s goal is to reduce the overwhelming amount of goose droppings in our fields and parks,” Town Spokesman Justin Meyers said. “We are presently exploring alternative options to the culling of geese and remain open to suggestions that can achieve our goal of maintaining a healthy and safe environment in our parks.”

The Town said the original recommendation by the USDA Wildlife services was for 300-600 geese to be culled from ball fields and parks throughout the Town.   

Meyers said the Town expects to have a decision on what to do with its geese population by month’s end.  

Town Honors Seniors
North Hempstead recently honored 24 residents at the 41st Annual Senior Recognition Luncheon for outstanding and selfless service to the community and to various senior groups.  

“We have so many great leaders in this room who have stepped up to give back to the community,” Supervisor Jon Kaiman told the crowd at Leonard’s Palazzo. “You help lift us up, and for that so many people have benefited.”  

The honorees were: Kyong Su Bark, Stephen Baymack, Charlie Chan, Indu Chhabra, Frank DiBenedetto, Anthony D’Urso, Joan Fiorenti, Barry and Zandra Greene, Patricia Hehn, Bhupinder S. Jaswal, Elizabeth Jones, Charles W. Jung, Leslie Kerzner, Ray Leonhard, Ruth Meshejian, Margaret Milovich, Mohammad Misbahur, Sugnaben Pandit, Gerald Peretsman, Madeline Picardi, Gertrude Sobolow, Helen Smith, Lee Soon.  

Notes & Quotes
A little more than two months after declaring his intention to run for Nassau County Comptroller, Legis. Wayne Wink, D-Roslyn, withdrew from the race this week . . . Italian soccer power AC Milan has teamed up with the International Soccer Training Exchange Program to bring its junior camp to New Hyde Park. The camp runs June 23-29 for ages 8-15 at Michael Tully Park. Camp participants may be selected to participate in the worldwide AC Milan Junior Camp tournament in Milan in the fall. For more information, visit: www.istepusa.com or call 516-474-1823.