It is a misfortune, Rochester's indifference toward the life of the geese. These beautiful creatures that have been given much praise -- whose extraordinary beauty through many decades has met the tide of injustice in a town where artists made their living painting them and people remembered the city not only by the health and well being of the masses of people but by the value of nature on the edge of town.

It is difficult to adjust to these people whose efficiency disturbs the well-being of the human heart. It is difficult to value indifference and the callous virtues of people whose nature is to destroy the well-being of children growing up. The young and the old, whose life is dependent on human decency and the arrival of joy through nature. The beginning of a good life is no longer here.

Miriam Knuth
Rochester

Ten proud Canadian geese cruising in a line, along came the Department of Natural Resources, and then there were nine.

Nine proud Canadian geese with lookouts not awake, the Department of Natural Resources caught one, and then there were eight.

Eight proud Canadian geese at a quarter past eleven, when the DNR squeezed the firing switch, and then there were seven.

Seven Canadian geese loaded with goose poop, but after the Department of Natural Resources fires a hit, there were only six.

Six proud Canadian geese running for their lives, one lagged behind, and then there were five.

Five big Canadian geese almost at the shore, the Department of Natural Resources released an eel, and then there were four.

Four proud Canadian geese were slighted by the Department of Natural Resources and they fired a double shot, and then there were two.

Two Canadian geese, a big one and a small, the Department of Natural Resources shot the big one down, so then only one.

One little Canadian goose arrived at Silver Lake -- then the Post-Bulletin announced there were 10.

Jai O.B. Knuth, Rochester


LETTERS FROM CONCERNED ROCHESTER RESIDENTS

Since we first learned about the city of Rochester's plans, we wrote  letters to the Mayor, City Council, Post Bulletin and local media. We also sent out alerts to Canada geese lovers and they wrote letters as well. Unfortunately, the close-minded and provincial Post Bulletin would not publish any of our letters because we were not residents of Olmstead County.

The letters below were written by concerned Rochester residents. Most of them were published in the Post Bulletin Letters to the Editor section. The others were comments posted in the web edition.

Shooting geese within the refuge? There must be a better way

8/31/2007 8:27:09 AM

I have some questions regarding the recent decision by the DNR to allow hunting in the game refuge surrounding Rochester.

First of all, what is the meaning of the word refuge? When did it change to "hazardous zone" or "shooting gallery?" And who changed it? As far as the problem with the geese is concerned, what is the problem? Goose poop?

A call to the DNR line gave me no answers, only busy signals and machine messages.

Who is it that determined there are too many geese? What constuitutes too many? What is the measure used? By what criteria?

I'd like to see a new decision-making team formed, like the Village Elders, to determine what really is perceived to be a problem and how it should be solved.

There are many solutions to a given situation (once one decides there really is a problem.) Let's find better solutions.

To quote the Dali Lama, "It seems that often when problems arise, our outlook becomes narrow."

Looks like the geese are the latest victims of such limited choices. I miss seeing the geese around Silver lake. They reminded me of the friendship that can and has existed between humans and other creatures that share our world.

Let's speak out for those that have no voice. Call the DNR with your concerns.

Flo Sandok
Rochester

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bucky - 08/24/2007

What in the world is going on?! Who is making these decisions about the geese and what evidence can they produce that the number of geese has increased to a level where they think they need to kill them?! The story is very unclear about who has the authority to make this decision. Whoever is making these decisions about the geese has a lot to answer for. It would be helpful if the Post-Bulletin could enlighten its readers on this matter, so that they would know whom to hold accountable. Whoever is doing this needs to cease and desist immediately! The geese are harmless. They are wonderful creatures who have graced our city for a long time and no one was in an uproar about it then. Ask yourself what has changed and why have we declared war on our geese.

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Leave the geese alone

8/17/2007 8:12:08 AM

I'm 68 years old and have lived in Rochester all my life. We true Rochesterites have loved our beautiful lake and had a great time watching the mallards and then the geese as the flocks grew larger and larger. We were proud of the fact that they loved to come here in the winter, up to 40,000 at times.

We took time to feed them and enjoyed watching the goslings and ducklings grow from tiny and fuzzy to young and losing their fuzz. The V shapes of them flying in and out to feed were wonderful.

Now, when we drive by this ugly lake, and it looks worse every day, it makes me sad -- more than that, it makes me mad. It seems to me that people are forgetting how much these geese have meant to the city. Do you know that the giant Canada goose was thought to be extinct, until they were found here in the early 1940s?

Check the records -- it's there. Now we want to kick them out. Yes, they are messy. What happened to the expensive machines that were purchased in the late 1990's to clean the paths? I'm glad that I won't have to see it in the future.

Sharon Schultz

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bucky - 08/15/2007

The greatest boondoggle in Rochester history continues! What happens if three years from now the plants have not grown? We have made one of the great treasures (Silver Lake) of our city look like a prison camp. Don't tell me the goal of the project isn't getting rid of the geese. If people can't handle a little goose XXX they should stay away from Silver Lake. It's that simple. It reminds me of the misguided US army official in Vietnam who said' "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." Rah Rah Rochester indeed.

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Silver Lake has become a major eyesore

7/3/2007 8:29:28 AM

Has anyone seen Silver Lake lately?! It looks a lot like East Berlin in 1961. Our rah-rah mayor and the city council must be very proud. They have taken something that was not a problem and in turn created a very big one.

The concrete bunkers and yards of fencing have created a world-class eyesore. This has been done to appease the few squeaky wheels who can't stand the sight of a little goose dropping here and there.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate geese, who were bothering no one, will merely move away from the lake and into the street and neighboring yards.

We have been to Silver Lake many times per year over the course of many years, and the number and condition of the geese has not significantly changed. We are incredibly lucky to have this beautiful park and these wonderful geese right in the heart of our city.

Why can't those in power ever leave well enough alone?

If you are as disgusted with what has been done to the habitat of the geese at Silver Lake as we are, you are urged to voice your displeasure by contacting the offices of the mayor and the city council.

Let them know that, because of what they have done to Silver Lake, you will vote against them in the next election.

That is the only language they will understand.

Sandra Landis and Peter Williams

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Longing for a lost Rochester
2/10/2007 7:27:05 AM

It is a misfortune, Rochester's indifference toward the life of the geese. These beautiful creatures that have been given much praise -- whose extraordinary beauty through many decades has met the tide of injustice in a town where artists made their living painting them and people remembered the city not only by the health and well being of the masses of people but by the value of nature on the edge of town.

It is difficult to adjust to these people whose efficiency disturbs the well-being of the human heart. It is difficult to value indifference and the callous virtues of people whose nature is to destroy the well-being of children growing up. The young and the old, whose life is dependent on human decency and the arrival of joy through nature. The beginning of a good life is no longer here.

Miriam Knuth
Rochester

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01/07/2007

When did the geese fly away with the playground equipment?! I must have missed that one. The truth is that there are no more geese (probably fewer), and therefore no more geese droppings, than there were thirty, twenty, or ten years ago. Silver Lake Park is no different from how it was back then. It is our perceptions of inconvenience that have changed. The proposed project is a seriously misguided idea.

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01/06/2007

You have got to be kidding me! Over a half a million dollars of hard-earned taxpayer money for this?! Can we get any more selfish and arrogant?! Providing a place for the geese is a good thing. They bring happiness to a lot of people. They have been a wonderful presence in Silver Lake Park for many years. I have lived near Silver Lake my entire life and have somehow survived the horrors of having a little goose droppings on my shoes from time to time. Do nature and tradition have any place in our lives any more? Furthermore Mike Dougherty shows incredible bias in writing this article fom the perspective of someone who thinks that having the geese at Silver Lake is a bad thing. Go back to journalism school Mr. Dougherty.

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01/06/2007

This is an outrage. As a young child I always looked forward to coming to Rochester to feed the geese and looked forward to bringing my own kids there one day to enjoy the tradition with them.

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219741 - 01/12/2007


Who’s afraid of the big bad bug? To my knowledge, 157 people have died worldwide (none from the US or Canada and none from contact with Canada geese) from bird flu over the last 3 years. In comparison, over 30,000 people die from flu every year in the US. We have more to fear from Man than from harmless geese. As far as their droppings are concerned, they’re doing Nature’s business. Their droppings are good, natural fertilizers, unlike cat or dog droppings (no offense to cats or dogs as I love them, too). About their numbers: the resident population descended from pinioned geese brought to the city many years ago. They don’t know any home but Rochester. Some can’t fly away because they have broken wings. Their numbers have declined in Silver Lake because of human activities on the lake. The migratory population increased due to wetland conservation efforts. More wetland means more breeding grounds. Man tampered with them to increase their population for hunting. Now they’re here, we love them so leave them alone.



219741 - 01/12/2007
I agree with Sharon. We love the geese so please leave them alone. Putting up the buffer zone will prevent the injured geese (they cannot fly because they have broken wings) from getting on to the grass so what will they eat? I heard rumors about a feed ban at Silver Lake. If it happens, the injured geese will starve through the winter as no one will be allowed to feed them and they can't fly out. We love Silver Lake just the way it is. Hands off our geese food bins and our geese.




sharwils - 01/09/2007


Mr. Sellnow, I was born in Rochester in 1939 and have spent my life here. I remember when Mallards were about the only ducks here. We loved them. The geese became more and more numerous and we loved them. They were the only attraction in town, except for the Chateau, Lawler and Time Theaters. Now, I'm old, and love the geese. I get such great enjoyment in seeing the 40,000 or so of them, in the warm water in the winter. Others feel the same way. In the summer, watching the tiny goslings grow is a joy. About 10 years ago the city bought machines to clean the trails. What happened to them? Everyone, remember, geese can fly over your barriers. Let the goslings enjoy the lakeside and leave them alone. Sharon





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