I do not write letters in regard to articles, although I often think about it. However, this week's front page article regarding our mayor's suggestion about culling our deer population and selling the meat to local restaurants was so over the top that I actually considered it might be a really early (or late) April Fool's joke. I found the whole idea just about the most asinine one our mayor has come up with yet. We have so many areas that need work in Grand Forks that I find it hard to believe that deer are the priority. My daughter-in-law and two grandchildren are visiting from Calgary, and she was incensed by the article. She and her children love to see the deer, and they are always thrilled by the sight. Last Christmas, both my sons were home with their families and on Christmas Eve I had five deer in the backyard. It was so heartwarming to see my grandchildren so thrilled (even though they realized they weren't reindeer, it did seem like a sure sign that Santa was welcome at our house). I have deer in my yard year round. I have learned to fence what needs to be fenced, plant what they don't like and enjoy their beauty. I don't know where this "cull" is to take place but it better not be in my neighbourhood! I still remember when rabbits were shot in front of children by our animal control officer and the resulting furor - can you imagine the trauma of seeing a deer killed in front of you?

Mr. Mayor, please get back to the business that is important. I have always been a proud citizen of Grand Forks, but with my family across Canada asking me about our marijuana industry and now seeing that our mayor is suggesting we kill the deer population and sell it to restaurants, I am deeply concerned about our image. Please realize that deer are a plus for our tourists and certainly those of us who have lived with them for years do not want them killed.