Manson Spared the Death Penalty, Larchmont's Geese Deserve Better

Geese in Scarsdale and Mamaroneck may have escaped the executioner's noose, but the fate of Larchmont's Canada geese population remains to be seen as officials consider options presented to them by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The village recently signed a contract with the USDA to allow them to oil eggs to prevent hatching. Once the geese go through their molting, or feather shedding, period in mid-July, the USDA will re-survey the population and make recommendations to the village based on their findings. 

"We have no action planned right now," said Mayor Anne McAndrews.

In last week's work session, the USDA reported a small number of geese in the area.

"I joked that they had read about this and flew away," said McAndrews.

But several people strongly objected to the possibility that the USDA would recommend slaughter, as the government agency has done in other communities.

Robin Gager, an employee of Larchmont business REcologie, said killing geese is not an effective solution to prevent them from returning.

"They will be back if you kill them as well, the only difference is you will all be seen as inhumane, unevolved, barbaric people who represent our community and will bring shame upon everyone here."

Trustee Marlene Kolbert took umbrage at the remark and the contentious back and forth between Gager and the board.

"I have to say I'm very disappointed at the tone taken toward the mayor.  We, as you know, addled the eggs and made no further decision on doing anything," she said.

Harriet Cohen, a Larchmont resident, said the news of a possible goose slaughter stunned her, and she urged the village to consider other alternatives.

"This is not Larchmont...this is not the Larchmont way," she said.

Westchester4Geese founder Kiley Blackman—who was active in petitioning both Scarsdale and the Village of Mamaroneck to reconsider their plans for goose slaughter—said she would work with the village to find humane alternatives, if slaughter was suggested.

"Charles Manson is sitting alive in a jail cell, but the geese have to die.  It's kind of ironic," she said, pointing to a poster board superimposed with a picture of the USDA's goose round up.

"We have ways to work with it," she said.

The village Board of Trustees will meet again with the USDA, most likely in late July, although no date has been set.  McAndrews said the community will be notified of the meeting in advance.