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Councilors shoot down calls for ban on hunting
Josey1
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Councilors shoot down calls for ban on huntingBy RYAN BLETHEN, Portland Press Herald WriterCopyright c 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.SCARBOROUGH - Residents who favor changing the town's firearms ordinance took a verbal pounding from hunters Wednesday night at a Town Council workshop. Councilors agreed with the majority that the town's firearms ordinance should not be changed, killing the issue."I myself could never hunt, but I do understand the peace and tranquility of being in the woods . . . I could never ban hunting," said Councilor Sue Foley-Ferguson.
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Of the nearly 150 people packed into the council chambers, only a handful spoke in favor of changing the ordinance to further restrict or ban firearms in Scarborough.Sharman Kivatisky told the council she does not feel safe walking outside during hunting season."What other sport do people have to protect themselves from other people's doings?" she asked.The debate about hunting in fast-growing Scarborough illustrates what is happening in a number of southern Maine communities. As the populations of once-small towns swell, fields and woods used by hunters for generations are being filled with homes.Kivatisky, who wants a November referendum on a hunting ban, favors an ordinance modeled after one in Cape Elizabeth. It prohibits firing weapons of any kind anywhere in town, except at the Spurwink Rod and Gun Club and on federal lands. The only exception is for self-defense.Scarborough's ordinance currently allows shotguns and muzzle loaders to be fired at approved firing ranges and when permission is granted by a landowner. Firearms cannot be discharged on property owned by the town.The Police Department and the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife provided statistics that supported hunting in Scarborough by showing the activity helps control deer, which can spread Lyme disease and deplete vegetation.David Green, who owns 20 acres and allows hunting on his land, said he has never had problems with hunters."There are no bullet holes in my place," he said to laughs. He also reminded the council not to focus on hunting when considering the ordinance."This is not about hunting; this is about discharging firearms," Green said.Glenn Grant added that the best defense against hunting is to become educated on the topic, wear orange during hunting season and post your land."These emotions that are being expressed right now are out of fear," he said.One proponent of changing the ordinance suggested increasing the 100-yard no-shooting zone around houses."I think that the council ought to increase the distance from dwellings to a limit of 300 or 500 yards," said Rick Murphy.A common theme throughout the workshop was that people should wear orange when walking in the woods during hunting season. Doing so is no different from taking other safety measures, said Don Endrizzi."I take it upon myself to wear bright clothing on my bike so I don't get hit by a car," he said.At the conclusion of the meeting, Councilor Jeffery Messer said government cannot police hunters."You can't legislate common sense," he said.Staff Writer Ryan Blethen can be contacted at 791-6329 or at: http://www.portland.com/news/local/020124scarborough.shtml
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Of the nearly 150 people packed into the council chambers, only a handful spoke in favor of changing the ordinance to further restrict or ban firearms in Scarborough.Sharman Kivatisky told the council she does not feel safe walking outside during hunting season."What other sport do people have to protect themselves from other people's doings?" she asked.The debate about hunting in fast-growing Scarborough illustrates what is happening in a number of southern Maine communities. As the populations of once-small towns swell, fields and woods used by hunters for generations are being filled with homes.Kivatisky, who wants a November referendum on a hunting ban, favors an ordinance modeled after one in Cape Elizabeth. It prohibits firing weapons of any kind anywhere in town, except at the Spurwink Rod and Gun Club and on federal lands. The only exception is for self-defense.Scarborough's ordinance currently allows shotguns and muzzle loaders to be fired at approved firing ranges and when permission is granted by a landowner. Firearms cannot be discharged on property owned by the town.The Police Department and the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife provided statistics that supported hunting in Scarborough by showing the activity helps control deer, which can spread Lyme disease and deplete vegetation.David Green, who owns 20 acres and allows hunting on his land, said he has never had problems with hunters."There are no bullet holes in my place," he said to laughs. He also reminded the council not to focus on hunting when considering the ordinance."This is not about hunting; this is about discharging firearms," Green said.Glenn Grant added that the best defense against hunting is to become educated on the topic, wear orange during hunting season and post your land."These emotions that are being expressed right now are out of fear," he said.One proponent of changing the ordinance suggested increasing the 100-yard no-shooting zone around houses."I think that the council ought to increase the distance from dwellings to a limit of 300 or 500 yards," said Rick Murphy.A common theme throughout the workshop was that people should wear orange when walking in the woods during hunting season. Doing so is no different from taking other safety measures, said Don Endrizzi."I take it upon myself to wear bright clothing on my bike so I don't get hit by a car," he said.At the conclusion of the meeting, Councilor Jeffery Messer said government cannot police hunters."You can't legislate common sense," he said.Staff Writer Ryan Blethen can be contacted at 791-6329 or at: http://www.portland.com/news/local/020124scarborough.shtml