I believe our mayor, Brian Taylor, is a fair man and has his work cut out trying to keep council and residents happy in our beautiful valley. Everyone wants to see Grand Forks on the map and attract more tourists here for various reasons. With a different point of view, maybe our valley whitetails could do it.

A few points:

• They were here before us.

• Ninety-five per cent of B.C. residents enjoy viewing wildlife.

• A five-foot deer fence with a solid rail around the top will keep 90 per cent of the deer out of your yard, as well as some unwanted dogs.

• Yes, they will jump a five-foot fence if pushed, but if they can't go through it, then most whitetails and mule deer will avoid it.

• Slow down, drive defensively and most collisions can be avoided.

• Most whitetail does are not as aggressive as the mule deer doe in Cranbrook (as seen on the news two weeks ago).

• Hunting them in town would be nothing but controversial to say the least.

• Not all towns in B.C. have a resource like we have.

Some of us really enjoy the deer, both mule deer and whitetail, and, yes, they come and eat our cedars also! I believe that we could turn this situation around and benefit from our deer herds. Maybe some 'fencing grants' for certain properties, or a sign on your property if you want them hunted, if you have more than a half acre lot and don't live downtown.

I just think if we turned the deer into a positive resource, more 'urbanites' may show up as tourists to enjoy them all year round.

We can't afford to relocate them, and trying to make the does 'infertile' is expensive and the craziest idea I've heard so far. I also really doubt that our provincial government will allow us to sell the meat in restaurants.

As a past president and director of the Grand Forks Wildlife Association for 22 years now, I must say these are my personal points of view only.

I hope that the deer committee can see the positive side of our local deer population.

Kudos to Barry Brandow, Jr. for helping Murray Behl along the North Fork Road on July 7 and good luck to Brian Taylor.