Just three days ago I wrote that Nevers park was “bringing in the calvary” and hiring Mike Callahan rather than trapping beavers. I said that because Steve Straight told me that because he had been relieved to hear it from councilwoman Brittany Poster said to him. But it turns out that both Steve and Brittany were lied to. Mike was never contacted and a trapper came and dispatched three beavers the next day. The whole thing was on local news last night and in the local papers this morning.
Beavers trapped, possibly killed after causing issues at South Windsor park
If you’ve been following at home for a while you might remember that the most egregious beaver lies – the real whopper -, are always handed down by the city administrator. Maybe because he’s hired and not elected and will never have to face voter outrage. In Martinez the beavers lead to our cycling through three city administrators. The first famously said that a flow device couldn’t work in our creek AFTER he first said he’d never heard of them. The second asked what “John Muir would have to say about planting trees for beavers” when the eagle scout asked for permission to plant willow, And the third – well, we’ll let you know.
It looks like the South Windsor city manager got stuck delivering some doozies. Beavers, apparently attack people in parks. Didn’t you know? Matthew Galligan is just doing his job to protect the community (and the mayor).
Beavers removed from SWindsor park over community protests
When beavers are trapped, the trappers licensed through the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection determine their fate, Town Manager Matthew Galligan said. They may be relocated, but will more likely be euthanized, since beavers are overpopulating the state, Galligan said.
“There were too many factors that affect public health, safety, and property in place to allow for the beavers to coexist” with Nevers Park activity, town officials said in a written statement Tuesday. Another concern is the possibility of beavers attacking humans who come too close to their young.
Mosquitoes, fish, disease, drinking water. You know the drill. At this stage the city council just throws every possible concern at the all and sees what’s going to stick. At our big November meeting Mike Mensini talked for a half an hour about salmon even though there never were salmon in Alhambra Creek. Because when you’re in charge you get to say ridiculous un-examined things until you run out of breath and never get interrupted with questions.
At least concerned residents did their part.
Many residents who wished to leave the beavers to their business continue to disagree that removal was the best option, however, and criticized Galligan on social media.
One resident, Stephen Straight of Abbe Road, maintains that town officials were wrong to trap the beavers before bringing in an expert to reassess other options, including methods of tree protection and controlling water levels. The beavers did not pose any threats, he said, calling the yellow tape closure of the trail “a stunt.”
Straight and another resident spoke up at Monday’s Town Council meeting to urge officials to reassess the situation. Both residents and council members were unaware that the beavers had already been removed until Galligan informed them that night.
Good for you Stephen. You gave it your all and these beavers deserved better, As we learned in Martinez it takes every last voice to save beavers, and even then it might fail. Here’s what turned out to be our game-changing meeting. but we didn’t know what would happen at the time. It was part luck and part circumstance and part sheer stubbornness. Without councilwoman Janet Kennedy going on vacation at the time. It all could have ended very differently.
Instead of the Middlechild Productions Documentary “Beavers Las Vegas“.
