Hamilton Reef
08-03-2006, 01:15 PM
Limits on gunfire, burning resisted
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1154616570216680.xml&coll=6
Thursday, August 03, 2006 By Lawrence R. Heibel The Grand Rapids Press
WALKER -- Residents overwhelmingly told the City Commission that they don't want any changes to regulations on the discharge of firearms and the burning of brush.
But they said they could accept a ban on the burning of leaves.
Commissioners held a special hearing Monday to gauge opinions on expanding the regulations for the two issues. About 50 residents attended, most from south of Lake Michigan Drive NW where the discharge of firearms is still allowed in most areas and burning is common on the agricultural properties. Ordinances ban discharge of firearms between O'Brien Road SW and Int. 96.
The burning ordinance allows commercially produced outdoor fireplaces and the burning of leaves and brush by permit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 15 to May 15 and Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Farmers also are allowed to burn between Nov. 15 and April 15 every day but Sunday.
Fire Chief Bill Schmidt said the only change in the ordinance he could foresee would be to ban all burning except on agricultural properties.
Police Chief Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom said she could see a change to the ordinance requiring anyone firing a gun on a property they do not own to carry written permission from the owner. That would help combat hunters trespassing, she said.
John DeYoung, of O'Brien Road SW, said the right to use guns and have campfires should not be further restricted on large properties, such as his farm. He said the calls for banning burning and firearms discharge come from residents of new subdivisions that are changing the rural landscape.
"If you have the area, you should have the right," he said. "Now, some of my new neighbors are crying and squealing and want to take away my outdoor heritage."
Mayor Rob VerHeulen said the commission is not looking to ban campfires, but suggested that a ban on burning leaves might be in order because those fires tend to have the most smoke and smell.
"Burning of leaves is the most obnoxious of burning," he said.
Les Potter, owner of Potter Orchards, said he needs to be allowed to discharge firearms to reduce the numbers of turkey and deer, which damage acres of his orchards.
"Deer, to me, are rodents," he said. "Turkeys are even worse. I don't know a single farmer who has time to deal with these deer. I want other people to hunt and kill these animals before they eat my stuff again."
The ordinance committee will consider changes to the ordinances and bring the discussion back to the commission. No date has been set for either consideration.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1154616570216680.xml&coll=6
Thursday, August 03, 2006 By Lawrence R. Heibel The Grand Rapids Press
WALKER -- Residents overwhelmingly told the City Commission that they don't want any changes to regulations on the discharge of firearms and the burning of brush.
But they said they could accept a ban on the burning of leaves.
Commissioners held a special hearing Monday to gauge opinions on expanding the regulations for the two issues. About 50 residents attended, most from south of Lake Michigan Drive NW where the discharge of firearms is still allowed in most areas and burning is common on the agricultural properties. Ordinances ban discharge of firearms between O'Brien Road SW and Int. 96.
The burning ordinance allows commercially produced outdoor fireplaces and the burning of leaves and brush by permit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 15 to May 15 and Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Farmers also are allowed to burn between Nov. 15 and April 15 every day but Sunday.
Fire Chief Bill Schmidt said the only change in the ordinance he could foresee would be to ban all burning except on agricultural properties.
Police Chief Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom said she could see a change to the ordinance requiring anyone firing a gun on a property they do not own to carry written permission from the owner. That would help combat hunters trespassing, she said.
John DeYoung, of O'Brien Road SW, said the right to use guns and have campfires should not be further restricted on large properties, such as his farm. He said the calls for banning burning and firearms discharge come from residents of new subdivisions that are changing the rural landscape.
"If you have the area, you should have the right," he said. "Now, some of my new neighbors are crying and squealing and want to take away my outdoor heritage."
Mayor Rob VerHeulen said the commission is not looking to ban campfires, but suggested that a ban on burning leaves might be in order because those fires tend to have the most smoke and smell.
"Burning of leaves is the most obnoxious of burning," he said.
Les Potter, owner of Potter Orchards, said he needs to be allowed to discharge firearms to reduce the numbers of turkey and deer, which damage acres of his orchards.
"Deer, to me, are rodents," he said. "Turkeys are even worse. I don't know a single farmer who has time to deal with these deer. I want other people to hunt and kill these animals before they eat my stuff again."
The ordinance committee will consider changes to the ordinances and bring the discussion back to the commission. No date has been set for either consideration.