Date: 2/12/25 2:58 pm From: David P. Muth via groups.io <muthdp...> Subject: Re: [labird] Update on Harahan's Purple Martin "nuisance" case
FYI due to an Audubon Action Alert in December the mayor of Harahan
received more than 3,000 emails
On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 3:48 PM Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I think that could only help . I ll touch base with Mr Wilson and respond
> back . And thank you Van for input, excellent points that need addressing .
> > On Feb 12, 2025, at 2:56 PM, sandabar10 <sandabar10...> wrote:
> >
> > 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 a
> > reminder about any future hearings or trials. Also, where is this being
> > heard or tried--in a Harahan municipal court or ??? What government body
> is
> > responsible for this absurd law or interpretation of law? I think many of
> > us would be glad to write to them expressing outrage at this egregious
> > overreach of government, at the same time letting them know that we'll
> > boycott all Harahan businesses if they go forward with this.
> >
> > Mac
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1=
> > <gmail.com...> 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
> > > > >
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