Let The People Vote

On The Deer Issue

To the Editor:

I am writing to you to express my disappointment and concern regarding the possibility of deer hunting within the confines of Newtown’s open spaces and other selected areas of Fairfield County. One cannot ignore the fact that deer carry ticks which transmit Lyme disease and that deer are involved in vehicle accidents. But as residents of the area, my husband and I have paid heed to all we were told when first arriving in New England that when out in open spaces one should “cover up” and after coming indoors check around the body and take a lengthy shower. In addition, when driving, we are always cognizant that deer may run across our paths and drive accordingly. We have many deer wandering across our property and delight in their presence as part of this wonderful woodland setting we share with them and all other animals.

We are fed ample air time on the television and radio of drugs that help cure or contain the effects of heart disease, cancer, quitting smoking, losing weight, and so on. Not to mention air time given over to lawyers and insurance companies who will help fight the good fight against insurance loss and road accidents. Thousands of people each year die from heart disease and lung cancer; I have not seen any state or federal motion to start hunting those who make cigarettes; those who make and sell fat- and sugar-laden foods causing heart disease and obesity; those who drive recklessly maiming and killing many on the roads each day. Perhaps those concerned with the effects of Lyme disease and vehicle deaths/injuries due to the deer population would best serve their time shooting arrows at the wheels of the passing cars that drive at neck-breaking speeds on local town roads each day or weave in and out of traffic on I-84 at speeds grossly in excess of the speed limit. All these things kill hundreds more every day than there are people affected by the number of deer.

It does not bear thinking about that there are individuals out there luring deer to their slaughter and we can only hope that each and every shot that is made hits its mark cleanly and successfully. That, we never get to hear about, or some unsuspecting walker does not come upon an animal suffering as the “kill” has not been clean. Quite frankly I find the whole process barbaric.

I am not alone in being against hunting deer — it has become acceptable to do this in Brookfield — don’t let it happen in Newtown. More importantly, don’t let the Town of Newtown sanction this course of action without asking the residents of the town what they think. Let them vote, let the people of Newtown have a voice in this matter. The people of Brookfield didn’t get that opportunity — which was utterly shameful.

Respectfully yours

Karon McGovern

Galloping Hill Road, Brookfield                            December 16, 2008