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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend September 27, 2006 City puts the kibosh on man's wish to plug turkeys with paintballs By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — A gaggle of greedy gobblers have put one man in a turkey 'tagging' mood. Lenny Strauss spoke Tuesday before the City Council, asking permission to shoot paintballs at some pesky turkeys he says are wreaking havoc at his new Rogue River home on Woodville Way. Strauss said the birds have ripped up his landscape digging for insects and clawing the ground. He's tried fending off the feathered foragers by flapping his arms, squirting them with water and making loud noises. Nothing has worked, he said. "I've pretty well exhausted all alternatives," Strauss said. Police Chief Ken Lewis said Strauss asked permission to use the paintball deterrent method about a month ago. But city ordinances forbid the firing of any weapon — including air-powered paint guns — within city limits. Lewis told Strauss he'd have to get a variance from the council. Advertisement "I'll give him credit," said Lewis. "He is trying to do everything up front and legal." As the Council listened to Strauss' tail of turkey troubles, some offered sympathy. "They rip up your yard something fierce," agreed Councilman Dick Handbury. Some offered alternative methods to shoo away the turkeys. Councilwoman Jo Anne Mead suggested Strauss get a machine called "The Scarecrow" that shoots water at the birds when they trigger the motion detector. Strauss said he was told those types of deterrents were ineffective. "They tell me those don't work very well," he said. Other members offered wildlife tales of their own. Councilman Don Collins said he hasn't seen a rose on his many bushes in many a moon. "Three does have breakfast there every morning," he said. But none of the council members were willing to grant Strauss' paintball-gun variance request. Councilman Wayne Stuart said Strauss' paintballs could go astray and cause personal injury or property damage. Councilwoman Renee Peterson said she was afraid granting the waiver might open the way to a firearm request free-for-all. "We do have wild turkeys," she said. "We live in the country." City attorney Steve Rich advised the members they would be better advised to change the entire ordinance, instead of granting a waiver. "Otherwise I think you could create problems," Rich said. The motion to grant Strauss' request failed by unanimous vote. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help