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TAVISTOCK GAZETTE v WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011
Noise by-law could impact Rod & Gun Club operations LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Sir: I wanted to make you aware of something that is happening currently in Zorra Township; the passing of a new Noise Bylaw, which will have severe adverse affects on many people in the township, especially the Tavistock District Rod and Gun Club (TDRGC). The TDRGC was formed in 1967 in a rural area of Zorra, (about 1 km north of Harrington) where there were few neighbours. The club currently has a four-lane gun range, a small trap shooting facility, an archery range, and some limited fishing opportunities. At that time, there was no noise bylaw. In 1987, Zorra passed a Noise By-law which prohibited the noise caused by discharge of any type of gun, from a BB gun to a shotgun. This was never enforced, although Council and bylaw enforcement were well aware of the activities of the club. The club is a familybased, community oriented club, which is committed to safety, education, and youth activities, and the promotion of gun and archery sports. For more information, please see the website at www. tdrgc.com Within the last year, the township has received complaints that the noise is intolerable and wants the bylaw enforced. It is important to note the club had been running for about 40 years without issue. People who live beside the club
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charge of a gun accomplish any of the foregoing? What Council is doing is the exact opposite of provincial public policy, as given in the Act. We were unofficially given a representation by the township that the new draft could be written with an exception for the gun club, but when the draft came out, it was not there. It is a straight prohibition. We are willing to work with the township, but we are seeing no movement from the township. If this bylaw passes, it is the end of the TDRGC and all the good work it does in the community. This does not only affect the TDRGC, but any hunter, landowner, farmer in the township. Hunting will now be forbidden in Zorra, in spite of the fact there is a large coyote problem. Farmers and landowners cannot use firearms to control nuisance or diseased animals on their land. Got a rabid raccoon? Too bad. Coyotes eating your sheep? Too bad. At what point does the complaint of a neighbour become unreasonable? This is a ‘princess and the pea’ type of situation. It was noted at the time of the sound testing, that the noise level in the car riding on the gravel road in front of the homes was louder than the gunfire. This situation does not pass the smell test. How in a democracy, can a few people override the
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have acknowledged they knew they were moving in beside a gun club when they purchased their property. Sound testing was done on the road front of the complainants’ homes, and was found to be well within the MOE legislated limits for gun clubs. It allows a level of 70 decibels at a distance of 30 metres at the reception point. In spite of that, the club has drawn up a plan involving spending about $150,000 in noise reduction programs to keep the neighbours happy and initial testing of the test installation shows a significant reduction in noise levels. Then there is the Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, 2002, which gives people the right to fish and hunt in accordance with the law. The goals of the Act are: “the promotion of practices that will contribute to recreational hunting and fishing being valued by future generations, the promotion of youth participation in hunting, fishing and other fish and wildlife activities, and the promotion of new opportunities for hunting, fishing and other fish and wildlife activities.” This is exactly what the TDRGC does! We have many youth activities which emphasize safety and responsibility and gives them a safe, supervised place to practice their shooting. Would the township rather have them unsupervised in a gravel pit somewhere? How does prohibiting the dis-
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Cold weather and snow are making their seasonal appearances over much of Canada making it increasingly difficult for birds to find enough food. The Humane Society of Canada (HSC) says that people and birds both benefit when humans assist their feathered friends by supplying them with a continuous supply of quality bird feed. “Millions of Canadians are bird lovers and over one third of Canadian households report that they feed and watch birds,” says Al Hickey, Western Regional Director for The Humane Society of Canada (HSC). According to Hickey it is a good idea to learn what species of birds live in your area and then find out what types of feed would be good for them: “To learn about local species of birds and the foods they like you can talk to employees who sell bird feed as well as local nature and bird watching groups and animal protection organizations.” According to HSC Executive Director Michael O’Sullivan, it may take a while for birds to discover their new food source but he says that they will find your bird feeder and gratefully return on a regular basis: “It is important to ensure that once you start supplying local birds with food that you keep food in the feeder until the birds’ natural food supplies become plentiful once again in the spring.” The Humane Society of Canada has had so many enquiries about feeding birds that an attractive bird feeder with seed cakes was added to the Online Adventure Store on our website. Money generated from these items goes to protecting animals and environment. The charity also has a num-
ber of heart warming children’s books about birds. “Bird feeding provides an excellent opportunity to learn about our beautiful feathered friends who play vital roles in nature,” says O’Sullivan. “This is a way for people of all ages to learn about and develop a greater respect for nature and our feathered friends.”
rights of a large majority? When I moved to Ailsa Craig ten years ago, I moved in next to a small farm. In the spring and fall, when farming activity is at its peak, we are often awoken at 5 am by tractors and other large pieces of farm equipment being fired up, and starting the day’s work. My neighbour is often harvesting at 11 p.m., and the noise is disturbing. But I knew I was moving next to a farm, and had to expect the usual farm noises. There was a special council meeting at the Harrington Community Centre on Thursday, January 20. Earlier, according to the Mayor’s (Margaret Lupton) blog of October 19: “The first order of business at our Council meeting was a discussion regarding changes to our Noise Bylaw. It has proven to be more complicated than we first thought. The issue of the discharging of guns has caused considerable confusion. We are not limiting hunting - that is really not within our jurisdiction - but do have concerns when such things as target practice give issue to a degree of noise disturbing to residents. We will continue to work on this document and at least pass parts if not all of it at the next meeting.” As you see, they intend to pass the bylaw, and although we have drawn up an extensive and expensive noise abatement program, there are serious questions as to whether they will even look at it. Just as an added note, the new bylaw also puts day and time restrictions on the noise from many activities. For example, you will no longer be able to operate a dirt bike, all-terrain cycle, snowmobile, go-cart, dune buggy or like conveyance between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. (to 9 a.m. on Saturdays), and at no time on a Sunday or a holiday. Same goes for using a hammer, saw, nail gun, lawnmower, staple gun, hedge trimmer, drill or the like. There are also nine other categories of prohibition. This issue needs wide public attention. Please help if you can. - Darryl Slywchuk, TDRGC
Hog Jog details announced The Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) is pleased to announce that all pledges from the 2011 Hog Jog will be going to National Service Dogs Training Center – to be used specifically for the training of Certified Service Dogs for children & families living with autism. The 6th annual charity run/walk will be held the evening of Tuesday, June 21st at the Stratford Rotary Complex. The Hog Jog has raised a com-
bined total of $122,500 for five very worthy local causes over the past five years including the Parkinson Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation’s, Alzheimer Society, Lung Association and the Emergency Department of the Stratford General Hospital. OPIC’s Pork for a Cause Hog Jog is a 5km run/walk and 10km run held each year during the Ontario Pork Congress. Go to www.hogjog.ca.
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