Image 15 of Jefferson reporter (Buechel, Ky.), April 16, 1970

T --JEFFEHSCN WL-- J RLTCHTCt, Thursiy, April 16. 1572-- 15 Vultzn PropoDcl ILCjUO AS'JoG'noy Mews PDqg (Continued horn Pig 1) University of Louisville biologist Dr. Burt Monroe, who believes the birds are more nuisance than actual damage, said this week that as far as he is aware there is "not much that can be done about the situation except to wait for them to leave." That shouldn't be too long, he promised plagued residents. Another ornithology expert Mrs. Frederick Stamm optimisticry agreed that in a month and a half, maybe sooner, the birds should have completely abandoned the roost -- until fall, at least. The flock is already noticeable dwindling, they noted. The birds have been roosting in that site since fall, but recently complaints from the nearby Zelma Fields subdivision residents have been greater. The blackbirds have periodically been flocking together in the area from fall through winter over the past 1 5 years. The roosting area has moved only slightly. For many years they used a woods on Fairmount Road (Farmers Road) and at one time the roost in that location held an estimated six and a half million birds; this was in 19S7 and 1958. Later they moved toward the Johnson School Road area and then the Highview site. Reward Roost Building Apin The roost had broken up for some years but recently fcegan building up again. This year it's down according to Monroe, which he attributes to possible other, smaller roosts being formed nearby. He's seen birds returning at dusk to roost, flying in directions other than toward Fern Creek. The roost consists mainly of starlings, with three other blackbird species also represented red winged blackbirds, cowbirds and common grackels. These species, except for the starlings who are permanent Kentucky residents, are partially migratory. (Some birds of the latter three species go south for the winter, others stay here through the cold weather.) What happens, according to the two ornithologists, is that each fall the starlings and the other blackbirds begin gathering together and roosting in a group during the night. They always tend to return to the same roost they've already established in past winters. Then about February or March migratory birds going back north also loin the established roost for a few weeks. causing a larger build-up- . It is possibly this increase in size is causing tne present outcry among annoyed residents. - By now the birds usually have abandoned the roost 4- (Continued from Pig 1) JLMf ATi"'' o x'--' ' would shut the quarry down permanently. She didn't want "them to work something out," Mrs. Compton replied angrily. She wants them to close the quarry. She and other residents contend the quarry is operating illegally. Hughes also retorted that dust stirred up by the quarry is worse than a dust storm he once went through in North Africa, and that rocks dropped by trucks on the streets represented potential danger should they be hit and caused to fly and injure someone. He also called the situation just another example of how the county government dominated by eastern Louisville interests ignored the problems of people who lived in southern Jefferson County. and talk with the people who out there and with the pollution people." He has already had several conversations with residents, r, Miller said, and plans to use both more live door-to-doo- door-to-do- methods or ceased operations was because the federal government ordered them to stop after World War II. 'Danger of Losing" we turn down their proposal and go into court the residents might end up losing "If combined with meetings of everything and winning community civic groups for nothing," Miller said. He said he believed those leading the future conversations. opposition who have been "1 am firmly convinced there will probably be some people trying to get the matter into who don't want it. But nobody court probably don't realize the is going to be able to live in an danger of losing. island in the 1970'. What must Mrs. Compton said Tuesday be done is to make what's there that "we won't lose. We have BOOKMOBILE NUf.IIER ONE aiti at the corner of Melda and Emmalee in Beverly Manor more liveable." too much proof. We're ready to subdivision open for business. Miller cited some of the fight." "factors" that he believed must "Do they consider the be considered before taking any action toward shutting down inconvenience and dirt, dust, noise and damages to our the quarry. property and danger to our Saks Tax There is $5 million worth of children more important than rock in the quarry. Some revenue? Is the county going to Miller, who is the latest of a $500,000 in state sales tax represent the people or a million long line of county attorneys would come out of it. Over the dollar concern?" Miller said that there have who have inherited the quarry year schools get $50,000 from of dust, question as built-i- n part of their sales tax. Some of this, he been complaints (Continued from Pig t) Jaycees, Cobb has served on the adding that "You have to have job, says he is not convinced emphasized, would go to damage from blasting, and noise of Kentucky Okolona Community Council the backing of your employer or that either the residents or the teachers at Blue Lick from the quarry, but the Jaycees. In 1967-- 68 while and the Adult Education you're out of luck." He has it, quarry are 1 00 per cent right or Elementary School up the road weather the weather "has not serving as president of his Committee of the Louisville been conducive" to determining wrong. he assured. from the quarry. chapter he was named the YMCA. He is a member of the whether the complaints are The election will be held on If the quarry is shut down outstanding local president in Advisory Committee for Mental May 23 at Convention Center The situation is a complex there will still be a 75 foot hole justified. this region and in 1968-- 69 was Health and Mental Retardation during the state Jaycee one, he said this week, with in the earth and a danger to "We need to wait and see but named outstanding national for Kentucky and has been a convention in Louisville. many factors to be considered contend with. there's no time to wait. They director for his work in Region Little League baseball coach. before shutting down the The caluse say that in the summer when it's III. He is a member of the quarry. The case also abounds in that allows the quarry to hot and dry, there is Asked his expectations for dust. I'm TJ Louisville Jaycees. legal questions and certain continue operating after zoning going only on what they tell victory, Cobb replied that he Active not only in the fringe areas of the law that laws went into effect here in me. "absolutely" thought he would would have to be interpreted 1943 and how it relates to the win the state presidency and To As for cracking of basements and decided by the court. quarry specifically would have and walls, "there's no way added that he is enjoying the to be interpreted by the courts. legally to prove it was cracked campaigning. The law states that no by an explosion unless you see it "It really gives you an Quarry Is 'Nuisance' expansion can be allowed under happening. It could be caused (Continued from Pig 1) opportunity to meet and share cafeteria. It will be Miller said he agrees with the a clause, but by anything. Some houses open and ideas with a cross section of the residents that the quarry is a "by its very nature a quarry aren't cracked. More than likely free to the public. 8tatc" he commented ft "Teachers were amazed that "nuisance" as it is presently expands both downwards and it is caused by the If he wins the Jaycee kids could put h on in a manner operated. But "I am not outwards and apparently this there's no proof." quarry, but' presidency, Cobb explained, it that was appealing to other convinced that it could not be quarry has been expanding for A Wycliffe Bible translators "Neither the dust pollution t.--TJet "being publicy students." said Headley. worked out in such a way that it the past 12 years," Miller said. be held at the. wil1 oj; the craVjng PJSlM "XL.. i'TZZH c JT.:oii2ay77lprir relations msTrzn J toprrxtrcrtive V amTetvJn'got" a couple irt3rTiU:aTce.TheTlUCStr( A legal issue called "laches" enough proof to get the quarry jf 20, at 7p.m. The purpose of the for the 130 Jaycee chapters standing ovations. Maybe it was is in the way that it is operated." says that if nobody complains shut down. When these two are banquet is to encourage interest in Kentucky and traveling because the kids He stated also that "the about a situation after a certain put together with the noise and putting it on and support of the Wycliffe something like 50,000 miles really understood it and county government has ignored number of years it is the danger caused by the trucks program. next year trying to see all the enjoyed it." the situation so long the questionable whether they have and the hazard of rocks in the During Sunday's free opposition to the quarry has the right to complain later; this road, as a whole these things Wycliffe, an interdenomina- chapters." "Actually, it's like having performance the Thomas been allowed to to become decision the court also would make the tional mission, specializes in operation a nuisance." e job," he said, Jefferson choir will also sing (motional and perhaps have to make. "As far as I've Bible translation among tribal another "But there arc things that groups. 2,300 members, some madrigals from the irrational in their demands that been able to determine, no one can be done to correct them. I scattered in 21 countries work Wilsons Shakespearean era, as well as the quarry be shut down, has brought legal action, am interested in seeing what Celebrate as linguists and support although they've complained. one by Shakespeare. Also period." they come up with." personnel with tribal people 50th Anniversary "We can't be irrational or But featured will be a group of ten in this day of who do not have a written Mr. and Mrs. Otis Wilson of Results of the closed meeting county and city teachers irresponsible about shutting it demonstrations, that isn't language. 4719 Maple Springs Drive, will with the Vulcan attorneys, down without giving them a enough," Miller warned. performing on recorders. celebrate their 50th wedding Miller said, would be released Mrs. Compton claims that The teams live in tribes, learn anniversary on Sunday, April Thomas Jefferson High chance, at least seven days, to Wednesday morning. language, develop an 1 9, with a reception at Martin School is located at 4401 make some kind of proposal," the to alphabet, teach reading and Hall on Poplar Level Road. Mrs. Rangeland Road. Miller said on Tuesday clause if writing with the goal of Wilson is the former Ollie The twelve third act roles are afternoon prior to the meeting operations stop, they can't The largest Aeolian-Skinne- r translating the New Testament Spears. Wilson is a retire United played by Arthur Dickerson, with Vulcan's attorney. "If they legally start again and that for Organ in the South is located in the native tongue. into Mines Worker. They have 11 Steve Chapman, Mike Taylor, don't come up with something some years the quarry was not Alumni Memorial Chapel on the Upgrading health, and children and 18 grandchildren. Lea Davis, Scott Meier, Hank we will file suit. If they come up in operation. But the quarry's Southern Baptist Theological agriculture and teaching simple Watson, Sandi Moore, Billy with something responsible counsel says that during 1945 Seminary campus. It has 113 industries is also part of their China Painters Robison, Linda Wulf, Marc with merit, we will consider it and 1946 the reason the quarry ranks of pipes. outreach. Beyerle, Dottie Wulf, Randy Plan Exhibit Bright and Joe Garr. The speaker will be Marion Louisville China Painters Cowan, a veteran missionary The technical staff consists Guild will hold its eleventh from Mexico. The public is of Marvin VonAlmen, Laura annual exhibit Sunday, April 26 invited. from 1 until 5 p.m. at Highland Hodges, Linda Osbum, David Tickets are available from Woman's Club, 2000 Lancashire Headley, Debbie Harden, Mrs. John P. Marcum, Jr. at 225 Avenue. There is no admission. Debbie Knack, Judy Dooley Rochester Drive. Door prizes will be awarded. and Barbara Baker. Dob Cobb Scc!is PrGoMoacy Jaycco CIoatfusLiy Dn legion vice-preside- nt Seniors Present Late Exodus ; 0 to off into segregated areas for nesting purposes. The lateness in leaving this year could be the result of the long, :hard winter. At any rate, they should be gone by late May. : "I don't think people need to worry at this time of the f year since the roost will soon break up," assured Mrs. pu- - A: A . nt I. ri ouuiuu. ojw iuu a siuuy uu uic uuca. sunic ycaii ago. is known of the psychological factors' of birds' little , ' flocking together. It is an adaptation for mutual benefits to jhe birds, a protective device, possibly for warmth but more often for safety in number. Birds know that predators can more easily catch them when they're alone and that scattering confuses the enemy. Also, the birds have a warning system for each other. "It's just the nature of the species to flock together in the winter," Mrs. Stamm simplified. ("Primordial instinct" was the answer from an Audubon Society member.) I pair ' :. "Late summer flocking of many species is a feature of g season," Mrs. Stamm explained. "They're sociable animals and they begin grouping together about late July, August or September. But they won't become a concentrated flock until winter." "But while they're closely knit and gregarious during the rest of the year, during the breeding season they become segregated. At that time they pair off into individual nesting areas. Some species have highly developed territorial behavior during the nesting season. This usually occurs about March." So after only a few more weeks the problem will be gone at least until next winter. They may be back then, but even if some way could be found to restrain them from that particular site, they would just move to another location close by, said Dr. Monroe. post-nestin- r Were City Dwellers Monroe recalled that back during the 1930'sand 1940's the only blackbirds in this area were starlings and they roosted in the downtown area on buildings. Then the area started getting the other three types of blackbirds and the starlings joined them in their rural roosts. Various methods have been tried to get rid of the massive flocks of birds in other parts of the state, he said, including shooting, poisoning and making noise to scare them off. Nothing has worked. Someone even tried using real or fake to scare them, and the sound of a starling in distress was recorded and placed in the roost. These methods failed also. While pesticides were used in one county to fight the flocks, this method endangers other wildlife. "I guess they could be shot," one woman volunteered. "But I hate to think of all those dead birds hying around." (A small number of birds have already died mysteriously, presenting a possible health threat.) Besides that, anyone contemplating firing into the flock had better be an excellent shot. While starlings are unprotected, it's illegal to shoot common grackels, blackbirds and can result in a fine. jjcowbirds or Apparently, the only answer is to sit back and wait a few weeks. . .and keep under cover meanwhile. UyclIIfo Bibb llanbr Trcr.:latcrs UCSrjC! IZnnCd full-tim- according . r A s . A ' ,j ,A -- . -- A: V r .'4 I v THREE STUDENT SUBSTITUTES, (left to rcht) Pat Smith, Jan WiZiami and Marsha TutwBer, take charge of a ninth grade health class during the student take-ovat Southern High School d er -,- Boohcjobih Mvot . ' v Students Tofto Over' Southern ." (Continued from Pig 1) A (Continued from Pig 1) but in the summer children's books are especially sought after. Charles has found that there are regular patrons who arrival of the punctiliously await the bookmobile. The phone numbers of these regular patrons are recorded so that they can be informed if the bookmobile is not going to make its scheduled stops because of bad weather or breakdown. And summer brings its own problems. Until recently Bookmobile Number One was not the small, crowded and only Ecfoie the slightly ventilated space on the van got very hot. And because the windows had to be left open, there was always the threat of wasps. When wasps appeared, according to Charles, even the nost voracious readers qcUy lost their interest. the : 'V ' ' f : . ! L at Southern Iiy REGULAR CUGTCriAT.'j end their studest substitutes for the student tdce-ovSchoel tskt time out cf a busy and festive day to be photographed. Left to riht, Diana Donohoe, Stca NesL Dcttle Gootee, Gail Carter, Lena Steed, Judy Linton and Chris Gdafikc. er Browning admitted that there were a few regular teachers who did not appreciate the interruption of their routine, but generally all cooperated. Teachers are required by law to be in the building during school hours. Most of the teachers listened at the door while their student substitutes gave the lesson in the classroom. The students thought it was interesting and educational. "We even took notes in class," said one junior girl, " and everything was quiet and orderly, more quiet than usual." The day was a festive one, obviously a welcomed break in the routine. Discipline was maintained. A few fights broke out that had to be arbitrated by the student administrators, and one Southern dropout the old himself students decided to take the day for a return to school. He was drunk, and he found quickly ushered to the door by the in charge. According to senior Mike Myers who was the supervisor of the office workers for the day, this was the only experiment of its kind in the county schools this year. Student administrators were: principal, Steve Dahl; assistant principals, Marshall Florence and Role Minier; boy's counselor (grades seven through nine) Steve Rock; girl's counselor (grades seven through nine) Debbie Lipe and Nancy Brawner; boy's counselor (grades nine through 12) Bobby Mauney; girl's counselor (grades nine through 12); supervisor of office workers, Mike Myers; and head custodians, Phil McAfee and Bob Mefford.