*** Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of Paul's Local Weather Journal for southwestern Connecticut ... Paul is the on-air meteorologist at WICC 600 AM and 107.3 FM ... Paul is a New York Emmy award winner (2007), five-time Emmy nominee, and four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association award for Best TV Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) ... Paul was voted Best Local Television Personality by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly Magazine (2012) ... Paul was inducted into the Housatonic Community College Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (2012) ... The local weather journal is a two-time winner of the Communicator Award of Distinction (2012 & 2013) ... Paul is currently a full-time teacher of Earth Science and Mathematics in Fairfield ... Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulPiorekWICC ...

Saturday, August 20, 2022

My Letter to the Lake Hills Association Regarding the Proposed Roundup and Killing of Canada Geese

Good morning.

I am a lifetime resident of Lake Hills, having lived in Fairfield for all of my nearly-64 years.


It has come to my attention that several neighbors are proposing a “round-up” and killing of Canada geese due to the nuisance and inconvenience they create.


Lethal roundups are ineffective and unacceptable, and there are other methods to control the goose population.


To the best of my knowledge, there haven’t been any health issues or sickness due to the geese, and I have lived here since 1958. This is simply a case of a few neighbors being “inconvenienced.”


According to the Humane Society of the United States, “In some communities, Canada geese are rounded up and killed because people find them to be a nuisance, particularly when goose droppings accumulate. This is wrong. It is not ethical to kill wild birds merely because their mess bothers us or we find them a nuisance, and it’s not necessary to kill geese to resolve conflicts.”



As a Fairfield professional educator who works closely with the Mill River Wetlands Committee each month throughout the school year, my students learn about river and lake habitats and ecosystems. We are “stewards” of the environment and learn the key and critical piece played by each living organism.


As you may know, I am a former 25-year local television and radio meteorologist who continues to maintain a database of environmental and meteorological daily records for the Mill River along Brookside Drive. My Earth Science students and I take seven monthly water quality tests at the river for the MRWC. I respect and value all life forms. 


We should not kill Canada geese simply because of their “inconvenience.” This should not even be an “issue.” They have always been a part of the fabric of our Lake Hills community.


Please see the following website: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/problem-canada-goose-round-ups


I would be happy to speak with you concerning this matter.


Thank you for your time and courtesy.


Sincerely,

Mr. Paul Piorek

Fairfield, CT