Date: 2/12/25 5:57 pm From: joan garvey via groups.io <joanmgarvey1...> Subject: Re: [labird] Update on Harahan's Purple Martin "nuisance" case
Wow!!!
> On Feb 12, 2025, at 4:58 PM, David P. Muth via groups.io <muthdp...> wrote:
>
> 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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