It's good to know that the public can sometimes influence governmental decisions if people “carp” loudly enough.
We’re talking about the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources putting on hold its earlier policy to ban feeding the wildlife at the Linesville spillway at Pymatuning Lake. The story ran in Thursday’s Herald.
In short, the controversial policy meant that people could no longer throw bread or other food items to the carp that swarm there in search of free treats. Instead, only special environmentally friendly food pellets could be used. Naturally you had to buy them there, but that’s another story.
Immediately after the ban was announced last year, a public outcry arose. For more than half a century people of Mercer and Crawford counties have been taking their kids to the spillway where the “ducks walk on the fish.” They would take along bags of stale bread or buns, popcorn and other tasty morsels for the swarms of oversized goldfish.
Sure, some people thought it was disgusting. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And for kids, it was a wonderful, memorable experience — nightmares of falling into the swarming mass aside. Therefore, many people felt the ban was “for the birds.”
Well, according to the state, it actually was for the birds.
The ban was issued because of the increasing goose population. The geese would swoop in to eat bread products that didn’t quite make the distance to the water.
Many thought that excuse smelled a bit fishy and they refused to swallow it hook, line and sinker. Therefore, people began to complain to state officials and soon national publications began to report the story. A public meeting last year drew a huge crowd of protesters.
After all, more than 300,000 people a year — many from outside Pennsylvania — flock to the spillway to see the natural phenomenon. Businesses in that area benefited from the tourism trade.
While the ban has been lifted, park officials are asking that people voluntarily serve up only bread or proper fish food for the carp. Over the years people have been known to throw everything from watermelon to fried chicken to doughnuts.
Park officials are also going to encourage more hunting to cut down the goose population. Unfortunately carp don’t eat geese or that would solve a major problem.
But the real importance of the story is that people can make a difference if the outcry is great enough. And because of that, this is one story that apparently will have a happy fin-ish!
Opinion
Determined citizens make Pa. agency change its ruling
- Opinion
-
-
Super Bowl Sunday brings a super boost for the local economy
The game is more than a glitzy international event. It serves as a one-day boon to local economies like ours here at home.
-
Punxsutawney Phil, Mitt and a litany of bad GOP hopefuls
Here are some thoughts from a guy who doesn’t put a whole lot of stock in rascally rodents that make weather forecasts.
-
In Ed Likovich’s yard, apples don’t fall very far from the tree
Adage tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It really applies to the Likovich family of Hermitage, specifically Ed the father and teacher and Ed the son and student.
-
A smaller state legislature? Don’t hold your breath
Don't tell me that our state General Assembly is finally going to do what should have been done many years ago – cut the size of the Legislature.
-
A sad end to life: History will determine JoePa’s legacy
I had the privilege, yes privilege and honor, of meeting Joe Paterno several times in my life, both as a student at Penn State and in my role as editor of The Herald. It was with a heavy heart when I learned that he was near death during the Mercer County Hall of Fame’s annual dinner at the Park Inn by Radisson Saturday, and that he had died Sunday.
-
OUR VIEW: Dearth of candidate interest defies worth of legislative races
In case you hadn’t noticed, this is an election year. Actually every year is, but this is one of the big ones. Sure, there’s some sort of presidential race going on, but that’s just a sideshow to where the real action in this year’s election is – or at least should be.
Voters across the country will be electing every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and here in Mercer County voters will help decide who represents three state House districts. -
Hall of Fame weekend stirs memories of ‘good old days’
Is there anything better than reminiscing about the “good old days”? That’s why I love the Mercer County Hall of Fame’s annual induction weekend.
-
We couldn’t fool anyone - the neighborhood always snitched
An old African proverb tells us that it takes a village to raise a child. At least two books drawing lessons from the proverb have been written, including the most famous in 1996 by Hilary Clinton, “It Takes A Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us.”
-
OUR VIEW: In the spirit of MLK, let’s unite to help our communities
There is a sad commentary on society that relates to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King as we prepare to celebrate the day that honors him on Monday.
-
If Republicans can’t find a good candidate, let ’em eat pie
Here are some thoughts from a guy who is really concerned about the mindset of Republicans as they choose a presidential candidate.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Super Bowl Sunday brings a super boost for the local economy
