Date: 2/12/25 12:56 pm From: Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10...> Subject: Re: [labird] Update on Harahan's Purple Martin "nuisance" case
I can't go to the hearings but like Mac Myers I will write, too, if that would help. If so, who can supporters write to and where? Would letters from supporters elsewhere in the country help? Sandra -------- Original message --------From: "Mac Myers via groups.io" <budogmacm...> Date: 2/11/25 10:09 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <cedisalvo1...> Cc: <seejanebird...>, <jenniferocoulson...>, LABIRD LABIRD <labird...> Subject: Re: [labird] Update on Harahan's Purple Martin "nuisance" case Jenn, Jane, Cathy, et al.,Thanks for the update on this idiotic litigation. Please send out areminder about any future hearings or trials. Also, where is this beingheard or tried--in a Harahan municipal court or ??? What government body isresponsible for this absurd law or interpretation of law? I think many ofus would be glad to write to them expressing outrage at this egregiousoverreach of government, at the same time letting them know that we'llboycott all Harahan businesses if they go forward with this.MacOn Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1...> wrote:> Thank you Jennifer for update and Mr Wilson for diligently defending the> Stamm's and the Martins. It is very important for a show of force at the> trial on March 10. ( if there is one). The Stamm's are currently putting> up their Martin houses and several Martins have already arrived.>> Thanks to All> Cathy DiSalvo> Harahan resident and neighbor to Stamms.>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 7:23 AM Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird=> <gmail.com...> wrote:>> > Jenn,> >> > Thanks for the update. I actually spoke to a group of ladies in the> garden> > club in Harahan yesterday. They live in the Stamm’s neighborhood but not> > all of them were aware of the issue.> >> > Question: what is the status of the colony at this point? Purple Martins> > are starting to return and will no doubt return to the Stamm’s. Will they> > find housing this year?> >> > —Jane Patterson> > On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io> > <jenniferocoulson...> wrote:> >> > > Dear LABIRD,> > >> > > *Thank you to those of you who attended the hearing last night!*> > >> > > UPDATE on Harahan’s Purple Martin "Nuisance" Case> > >> > > Breaking news ... last night at the Purple Martin "nuisance" case> hearing> > > in Harahan, attorney and Orleans Audubon Society Conservation Chair,> > Andrew> > > Wilson, presented motions to dismiss. The judge was impressed with the> > > argument that the case should be dismissed based on the Ex Post Facto> > > Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits governments from> passing> > > laws that retroactively punish people for actions that were legal when> > they> > > were committed. A retired couple in Harahan is being charged with the> > > "crime" of keeping Purple Martin houses in their backyard, because> their> > > neighbor has declared the martins to be a public nuisance and human> > health> > > hazard. The fact that this case is being considered at all is> bewildering> > > because Harahan has officially declared itself to be a bird sanctuary.> > >> > > Concerned citizens turned out in droves last night to attend the> hearing> > > and show their support for Purple Martins and the Stamms. The crowd> > ranged> > > from Harahan residents to bird watchers, folks who feed backyard birds,> > > gardeners and nature enthusiasts.> > >> > > The judge considered Mr. Wilson's argument a strong one, so much so> that> > he> > > delayed the hearing and trial dates by one month, giving the city time> to> > > respond. The hearing is now set for Monday, March 10, 5:00 p.m., with> the> > > trial to follow on Wednesday, March 125:00 p.m., if the case is not> > > dismissed. OAS hopes that you will mark your calendars and plan to> > attend.> > >> > > Sincerely,> > >> > > Jennifer Coulson> > > OAS President> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >>>> >>>
