In my opinion, city council has hit a new low in being ridiculous by passing the by law concerning bears in our city.
I am supposed to put my garbage out early in the morning on pick-up day. There are times when I am still sleeping when the garbage truck passes by my door. Am I expected to get up early, despite a poor night’s sleep, just to accommodate refuse collection? I am supposed to clean my lawn of all fruit that has fallen from the trees. Am I allowed a grace period of 24, 48 or 72 hours or must I clean my lawn every day?
If the Bear Police come around to my house, are they prepared to prove how long that fruit has been lying on my lawn? If they have found a way to do so, in what way will I be punished for not cleaning it up as the fruit falls from the tree?
Am I expected to inform the Bear Police if my neighbour allows the fruit from his tree to lay on the ground for a period of time? What period of time is reasonable before I squeal on him or her? What is a bear-proof container? My garbage pail with handles that secure the top, or a pit bull attached to the garbage pail?
Some councillors are concerned that too much of the budget is being spent on salaries for municipal employees. Is this what my tax dollars are paying our city councillors to do by taking the time enacting this legislation?
Bob Abrahams, Nelson