On Ducks and Noise

This is a follow-up article about Hyde County Commissioner candidate Tom Pahl. Tom is running as a Democrat against the incumbent, John Fletcher, in the primary election on March 15th. Currently, John Fletcher represents Ocracoke on the 5-member Hyde County Board of Commissioners. The commissioners meet tonight at 6pm in the Ocracoke School commons.

In the first article, Tom discussed the various facets of the ongoing issues surrounding the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferries. This article focuses on two other local “hot topics”: the large duck population and debate regarding the Ocracoke Noise Ordinance.

When my parents (who live in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan area) came to visit the past September, my dad asked something like, “So, what are you morning traffic reports like?” I was taken aback a bit and responded by lightheartedly saying the only delays I ever experience are due to ducks blocking the road. Ducks blocking traffic, defecating in public areas, and their growing population have become a real concern for many islanders. (Read the Current's coverage of the issue here.)

Tom addressed this issue saying, ”I think there’s a major problem when there are people who live on the island and work on the island and have businesses on the island and they have a legitimate complaint. That complaint needs to be addressed.”

As a possible solution to the problem he jokingly said, “I think we should buy all those ducks a ticket onto the Cedar Island ferry, and let them get off over on Cedar Island.”

On a more serious note Tom explained, “It’s a problem, it’s a health problem, it’s a tourism problem. I’d say absolutely quit feeding the ducks.”

There are Federal laws in place regarding birds and their capture, caging, rehabilitation, and release, which complicates the issue decreasing of the ever growing duck population. He went on to explain how the ducks are not only being fed by residents and visitors, but they also eat food around the village that feeds the feral cats. Tom said the cats need to be fed, but a possible solution worth trying could be placing the food off the ground so the ducks cannot reach. To decrease the population, there are relocation options; however the County would be responsible for paying for their ongoing care once the birds are relocated. It would be duck rent, if you will, which Tom doesn’t see as a reasonable solution.

Unfortunately, the problem has gotten out of control so a simple solution may not be possible. The most popular idea is to trap them and, “ship them off to a marsh somewhere”, but in the meantime, “maybe we need to start making it really clear to not feed the ducks.”

Tom thinks signage stating not to feed the ducks could help as many visitors simply may not be aware of the duck problem facing Ocracoke. He is optimistic that extreme measures, such as fining for feeding ducks and other wildlife, won’t have to be put in place.  

“I’d hate to have it come to that. I’d rather people just saw the wisdom of not feeding the ducks. I think it’s a better idea to figure out a way to reduce the duck population,” he said, and continued by joking, “Let’s reduce the duck population; let’s just have a big duck roast.”

The Ocracoke Noise Ordinance is also a hot issue in the village. Tom began by saying, “I think the parties who are involved in the discussion have been conducting that discussion in a reasonable way.”

The noise ordinance was adopted by the County Commissioners several years ago with very little controversy. At the time, the wording of the ordinance was accepted by the Commissioners and the community based on the majority of the community being satisfied. Now, “…the parties need to reach a compromise, and I don’t think it’s impossible to do that.”

"It’s sort of like negotiating for the price of a car; someone is offering 63 decibels and somebody is saying 43 decibels. Let’s work towards some reasonable compromise. We almost have to get where no one is happy; if one side or the other is delighted with the result, then it probably hasn’t been a good negotiation,” he said.

Tom continued by explaining that the whole issue has been presented as an individual against a business, where he sees it as a business owner being concerned about how noise levels from the restaurant across the street could impact her business.

“The business across the road, Sean Death’s – which I think he’s done a wonderful job – he likewise is pursuing the interests of his business, so I think the conversation, when it’s gone from a residential concern next to concerns of a person with a business use is not accurate.” He said these two businesses have different needs, which means they also will have different concerns, so it should be worked out in a way that is respectful to both. “We should keep in mind both businesses are fighting for their survival, so when Commissioner Fletcher, in a public meeting, refers to one side of that discussion in a derogatory way and is calling names, I think that’s really counterproductive to what was otherwise a reasonable process.”

Tom believes progress cannot be made when people are being called names and badgered, and continued by explaining the parties involved, while they disagree, seem to be respectfully working towards a solution.