tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post6400824473480258473..comments2024-03-28T17:07:56.753-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Birdfeeding Trouble in Bethlehem TownshipBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65378386872569482692014-01-22T21:19:51.497-05:002014-01-22T21:19:51.497-05:00I don't think the issue here is with the count...I don't think the issue here is with the county officials enforcing the law. Sounds to me like the Ganssle's have no issue with the county officials "doing their job", but rather that the law itself, is old, and quite honestly, stupid. As well, the neighbors are just whining selfish people with nothing better to do with their time.<br /><br />And I agree with Bernie, they should be named publicly as well. But I'm sure soon enough it will come out who they are. Especially when one of them is a cop who was video taping peoples property and homes in the middle of the night, and the other is the whiny brother of a magistrate who needs to tattle to his brother because he's too much of a coward to handle real-life issues himself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15250954395480201002014-01-22T18:38:02.194-05:002014-01-22T18:38:02.194-05:00I see the comments here and I cannot believe the r...I see the comments here and I cannot believe the ridicule over a person doing a job that he was hired to do. A Code enforcement officer is hired by the municipality to enforce the codes. This is no different than a police officer being hired to enforce the law.This code is forty two years old and it specifically spells out what kind of bird feeders are allowed. The ordinance is on the municipalities web site and can be seen by all. The ordinance was quoted to the enforcement officer by the complainant. In this case the officer must act and do his job. agian the ordinance is on the books longer than most people working at the township were working there. He was hired to enforce an ordinance that was already there or risk being fired for not doing his job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81014820693202868262014-01-22T10:27:03.809-05:002014-01-22T10:27:03.809-05:00It is a complaint-driven community, meaning the Tp...It is a complaint-driven community, meaning the Tp responds to complaints. Personally, I think the complaining parties should be identified. Being able to confront your accuser is basic fair play. In the criminal context, it is a constitutional right. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28607925229496552452014-01-22T10:23:00.296-05:002014-01-22T10:23:00.296-05:00Something of interest to note. The township is not...Something of interest to note. The township is not very willing to get involved when foreclosed properties or lazy owners don't mow their lawns and actually make neighbors file complaints for that when 12 inches of weeds and grass is quite obvious for everyone to see. Us neighbors have to actually go to the Municipal Building to file a complaint and then maybe two weeks later something is done. Of course 1 month later back in the same boat so hopefully if we want to enforce this ridiculous ordinance, they'll get tougher on people who don't mow their yards for weeks at a time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91863270279432667252014-01-22T08:55:22.389-05:002014-01-22T08:55:22.389-05:00"The notice informed them that their feeders ..."The notice informed them that their feeders need to be in enclosed and shielded containers, and ones that would not allow seeds to fall to the ground. That might attract rodents."<br />Their bird feeders did attract one big RAT (rodent) their nosy neighbor. <br />Way to go Bethlehem Township this story went national so now BT is the blunt of jokes across the country.<br />"Though complaining parties are known to code enforcement, their identity is kept confidential."<br />They need to change that to "Complaining parties WILL BE NAMED IN THE COMPLAINT". I'd bet that would put an end to a lot of BS complaints from nosy people. ShutUphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06282791654634992894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36724747460352357652014-01-22T08:36:44.404-05:002014-01-22T08:36:44.404-05:00There is an article in the Morning Call Wednesday ...There is an article in the Morning Call Wednesday stating that the issue is now about deer and not about rats per se. I have been feeding birds, not rats, for years and squirrels are always going to find a way. There are no such things as squirrel proof feeders as I have tried most of them on the market and none work. Hopefully the ordinance can be changed but in the meantime I will continue to feed the birds and if someone doesn't like it, tough. I just hope none of my neighbors are anal morons with nothing better to do than cause trouble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28598074686654583972014-01-21T23:49:07.180-05:002014-01-21T23:49:07.180-05:00A bird on a feeder is happier than a bird in the b...A bird on a feeder is happier than a bird in the bush !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6811737368567476902014-01-21T22:36:46.610-05:002014-01-21T22:36:46.610-05:00Let me explain this to you. the Ganssles rec'd...Let me explain this to you. the Ganssles rec'd a notice of code violation. They were not taken to court and had 5 days to comply. They took down all their bird feeders. Then they went out and bought one that would be OK, for $50. They put it up, and a neighbor complained again. Then the code guy came out and they put it up a third time, with the bottom being 8' off the ground. This one complies, and draws no birds. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84920787881865753912014-01-21T22:32:50.006-05:002014-01-21T22:32:50.006-05:00Here is the problem. can the staff just simply wit...Here is the problem. can the staff just simply withdraw the charges because of public outrage? I would suggest not. That would be unethical and corrupt. What should be done is the feeders should come down, the inspector called to check the site. He then will determine compliance with the law. Then when he leaves, the land owners can do what they want. I would think that the inspector won't be back despite any complaints. Now, the goofy Board of Commissioners should consider having a hearing to remove the old law from its book of codes. Cased closed everyone wins and no laws were broken nor was anything done unethically.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64098160511770320082014-01-21T19:13:01.105-05:002014-01-21T19:13:01.105-05:00Yes, the Ganssles spoke very highly of Hoffner. He...Yes, the Ganssles spoke very highly of Hoffner. He was not trying to be a jerk, and was very nice to them. The law does need to change. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86060154863693386012014-01-21T19:08:25.720-05:002014-01-21T19:08:25.720-05:00The problem with this one is that they actually ha...The problem with this one is that they actually have a law about birdfeeders. Check out their website. Its an old law and must have been put in for a reason. Maybe someone had too many feeders and neighbors bitched? The Township codes guy did the right thing. He was probably bantered by the complaintants and simply did his job. The Township ought to drop the charges and repeal the law. There nice and easy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-10404876758534991062014-01-21T14:53:15.204-05:002014-01-21T14:53:15.204-05:00Good living God! Am I actually reading about peopl...Good living God! Am I actually reading about people complaining about bird feeders?!?!?! I wonder the result if the people complaining put this much energy into more important issues in our society today....?<br /><br />Is the issue deer or rats? Either way, what person has the time to stand outside their window and watch bird feeders all day long for violations? I'm going to venture a guess and say that if the Ganssle's invited anyone to come to their home and see what is there, it can't be so much of a mess to be creating these issues to begin with. <br /><br />What if we take the bird feeders down for a little while and see if the problem persists...? How about that? Then we can determine if it's truly the bird feeders? Should the Ganssle's have to do this? No. But if it will appease the childish neighbors who have nothing better to do with their time than police bird feeders all day, then I say go for it.<br /><br />The legal system needs to be a looser pay system. If we're going to rant and rave over bird feeders and the animals that they may attract, then there should be some level of compensation for those who had to go through this non-sense if found "innocent"; in this case the Ganssles's. <br /><br />I have the perfect punishment. Make the complainants stand at the intersection of a busy road with signs on them that read, "I didn't get picked for kickball when I was little and therefore am angry at society". <br /><br />....sigh....I think I'm done now. There's 10min of life I will never get back because of bird feeders. Who would have ever thought?!<br /><br />Hang in there Ganssle's. Maybe next week they'll complain about something else.....like watching paint dry takes to longAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52999796633058232652014-01-21T12:41:06.071-05:002014-01-21T12:41:06.071-05:00" Bigger issue is fed birds shitting thistle ...<em>" Bigger issue is fed birds shitting thistle seed-laden poop all over the place; creating weed problems."</em><br /><br />Give it a rest.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47201874421481348122014-01-21T12:39:17.682-05:002014-01-21T12:39:17.682-05:00Hopefully the Township Solicitor will address this...Hopefully the Township Solicitor will address this issue and advise the Township to stop enforcing the bird feeding ordinance. These only affect immediately adjacent neighbors (if at all!) and should be considered a PCM (private civil matter).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47360285403984433822014-01-21T12:18:32.830-05:002014-01-21T12:18:32.830-05:00This is bad government. Much like what happened i...This is bad government. Much like what happened in Lehigh Township earlier this year with the guy and his garden, the township staff should have exercised better judgement and common sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90501964056077924962014-01-21T12:04:46.433-05:002014-01-21T12:04:46.433-05:008:00, Your comments are both unfactual and unfair....8:00, Your comments are both unfactual and unfair. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81801984033200081562014-01-21T11:34:22.224-05:002014-01-21T11:34:22.224-05:00This story actually is on nationally at FoxNews.co...This story actually is on nationally at FoxNews.com. Now the world can appreciate it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-50069595643872965792014-01-21T09:49:55.487-05:002014-01-21T09:49:55.487-05:00Think everyone is forgetting that this is a law th...Think everyone is forgetting that this is a law that has been on the books long before this batch of commissioners got here. I would guess at least 25 years. It sounds to me as though they are just as stunned at the stupidly as everyone else. Let's see if they actually do something. <br />8:00, said that without one vulgarity !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52599549640972772492014-01-21T09:24:04.306-05:002014-01-21T09:24:04.306-05:00Figuratively speaking, if I were the Ganssle's...Figuratively speaking, if I were the Ganssle's, I'd just flip 'em the bird.Whethervainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05709776231229905223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53161921456246057012014-01-21T08:00:40.620-05:002014-01-21T08:00:40.620-05:00That the government must approve birdhouses is a s...That the government must approve birdhouses is a sign that Bethlehem Township is lost. Many have known this for years. I formally request the permission of the Township to take a shit and wipe my ass. Ridiculous. Major parts of the overdeveloped township are regularly under water as these retards have never heard the term, runoff. Yet, they're in the effing birdhouse approval business. Fix the 2/3 of the township you've left vulnerable to regular flooding and get the fuck out of my birdhouse business you inept assholes. Unbelievable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90953746624795323162014-01-21T07:06:05.301-05:002014-01-21T07:06:05.301-05:00I am also "GUILTY" and we have the beau...I am also "GUILTY" and we have the beautiful Blue Jays and Cardinals along with a "Murder" of Crows that allow me to walk near them. I would think BT would want to foster nice folks, as these. I bet they have a clean property with no car parts on the front porch and no inside sofa or old TV's stowed ether. I would bet they pay their taxes on time, educated their children , give funds to charities and have never been in any trouble at the court house! WAIT B-Twp ,your in for it with what will be getting shortly with some of your development. Peter J.Cochrannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84492777310299834832014-01-21T06:46:22.115-05:002014-01-21T06:46:22.115-05:00Lots of birdfeeders in my backyard. No mice or ra...Lots of birdfeeders in my backyard. No mice or rats. They're raptor food and are never an issue. Bigger issue is fed birds shitting thistle seed-laden poop all over the place; creating weed problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46284976889798486232014-01-21T05:58:51.808-05:002014-01-21T05:58:51.808-05:00I noted on the previous article that it must be ni...I noted on the previous article that it must be nice for Bethlehem Township to have the staff levels to investigate people's bird feeders. This should be dismissed as a private nuisance. Let the sick creep neighbor hire an attorney and prove a nuisance in court. This does not sound like a proper use of public resources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com