UPDATE: The BOH meeting that was held on February 14th, Valentines Day, was everything but a lovefest.
Eleven of my neighbors, including my husband, attended the meeting and were allowed to speak their peace but the members of the BOH minds were already made up and it was concluded that the fowl water friends are a traffic hazard and it is detrimental to their health to return to roam the streets of River Road, their home.
In fact, Ron Beattie mentioned that they had spent 45 minutes on the subject and that was enough – after all we are only speaking about ducks! This from a man who shot someone’s pet monkey when he served Oakland as a police officer!
I would have like to seen this entire situation handled much differently – with some protocol – but it was truly botched from the beginning. And just for the record – there is no record of complaint on file with the Board of Health.
I applied for the OPRA – open public records act – and they gave me 2 pieces of papers which were like memos from Tyco stating what they did on 2 separate occasions regarding the removal of 2 dead ducks on River Road. There is no formal complaint from anyone asking for the ducks to be removed. I find that amazing, especially because that is a requirement by ordinance in Oakland.
At this point, I would not want Buddy or the ducks to return to River Road – we have been portrayed as residents who do not care about the health and well being of our water fowl friends, but monsters who lure them in the street to act as speed bumps. I would like to have seen this go in a much different direction in regards to the true problem – the traffic issue be addressed, but no matter how many complaints are made – written, verbal, informal, at council meetings etc. nothing seems to be done regarding this situation.
We have been shouting for years about the speeding on River Road and the only pacifier that we get is a traffic study. The last traffic study done in 2007 was in July – right after 4th of July. Are you kidding me? Fourth of July has to be, hands down, the most popular week for vacation – no sports going on at rec field and VMS closed – summer camp not started ! So the commuter traffic, school traffic and rec field traffic was not accurately portrayed at this time – yet we had 1200 cars per day.
The average speed on River Road is not 18mph as suggested in the traffic study – that is bull… It may be the average speed that the cars go over the wire they put in the middle of the road, but the cars punch it from to the corner on West Oakland Ave and rarely stop at the STOP sign where River Road and Spring meet.
Oh yeah, they set up the traffic study again now, because we are all yelling about the speeding and having to get rid of the ducks; and, let me just say that again they pick the week of 2/20 in which the kids are off school and according to my Facebook – half of Oakland is in Disney and the other half snowmobiling and skiing at their favorite winter spots. No sports are scheduled at rec field either. Come on Oakland Traffic Dept. give us a chance.
I will be at the next Council Meeting with bells on; and, I will let all of Oakland know how things were handled with the Board of Health, and also that we will not let the traffic problem on River Road fall on deaf ears anymore.
We have all had enough and after the hurricane and rebuilding of our homes and lives and have been through enough! We may have low property value living on the river in Oakland, but we don’t have low IQ’s – and we know when we are having the wool pulled over our eyes and being taken advantage of!
(Update Submitted by Gina Steele)
Post Originally Published January 13th 2012
Residents of River Road in Oakland, NJ have started an online petition to save a goose that has become a fixture in the neighborhood.
Via Facebook, residents of the neighborhood, and Oakland in general, have been discussing the issue of the ducks since notice was given that animal control would be removing the ducks/goose.
The ducks have been a fixture on River Road for many years. Their presence has inadvertently led to them acting as a speed control mechanism, which many residents of the small narrow street find reassuring.
According to the online discussions, the Oakland Board of Health gave notice to residents that all ducks that walk the streets must be removed because a complaint was received.
The proposed action by the town has led to a two pronged public discussion: one being the problem of cars traveling too fast on the small, narrow side street that has no sidewalks; and, the other issue being the affection that the ducks have won with neighbors and residents town wide.
Outside of the complaint received by the town of Oakland, proponents of having the ducks removed have not expressed any particular passion on the subject. They site arguments of prohibitions on feeding wild life and that the setting cannot be viewed as a natural environment, especially with respect to being in the street.
Buddy The Goose
Duck supporters have been more vocal and active, initiating a petition which reached near 40 signatures over night. The supporters site reasons that include the natural traffic calming effect of the ducks, the emotional connection established with many neighbors, and the overall charm they add to the neighborhood that borders the Ramapo River.
Charm is the primary reason why duck supporters outside the neighborhood have signed on to save the ducks. They site their existence as providing a slightly more rural atmosphere reminiscent of Oakland’s bygone days. Some purposely choose the River Road route in order to see the ducks while driving through town.
The duck issue has also brought to light the seriousness of cars speeding on this narrow side road. The neighborhood attracts substantial traffic due to it’s location near the recreation fields and Valley Middle School; but, the narrow winding nature of the street and the lack of sidewalks apparently makes the generic 25 mph speed limit unrealistic.
The online petition can be found by clicking here.
Perhaps that one lonely complaining BOOB oughta consider moving back to the city or wherever they came from! I’ll bet that the people of Anaheim, Oregon U or the Mighty ones won’t take kind to this!
The goose pictured above is a “Domestic” goose. Please show me the “nature” of that.
Actually, although a domestic goose, the APA has recognized the distinct breed as an African goose since the middle of the nineteenth century. It would simply stand to reason that no matter the breed of goose, simply BEING a goose makes it “nature”. Just as a tree is nature, a rock is nature, grass is nature, a duck is nature, a “Domestic” goose and an African goose are nature.
I THINK THIS A BUNCH OF B.S.. BUDDY THE GOOSE HAS BEEN A FIXURE DOWN FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS ! HE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND LIKES TO BE FED ! SO PEOPLE COME DOWN TO PET AND FEED HIM !WHAT THE TOWN SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IS THE SPEED AND THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT COMES DOWN THIS ROAD! BECAUSE AS IT IS THESE DUCKS GET RUN OVER FROM OUT OF TOWN TRAFFIC CUTTING THRU THIS NARROW ROAD ! GOD FORBID AN ELDERLY PERSON WALKING DOWN THIS ROAD OR A CHILD PLAYING OUT THERE !! AND WE KNOW WHO COMPLAINED AND HE HAS LIVED HERE A LONG TIME AND NOT SURE WHY AND NOW HES COMPLAINING ! MAYBE HE’S MAD FOR WHAT THE RIVER DID TO HIS HOUSE! AS THEY SAY WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND ! LIKE KARMA RUSS!! AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HOW HAVE SIGNED THE PETITION !
O look it’s been 7 hrs since the goose and ducks were removed and there’s a serious Accident on river road ! THIS IS THE STUFF THE TOWN AND CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT !!! BUT INSTEAD SOME CRANKY OLD MAN COMPLAINS ABOUT BUDDY THE GOOSE AND THE DUCKS ! I READ SOMEWHERE TODAY THAT THIS PERSON WHO COMPLAINED SUGGESTED TAKING DOWN THE FLOODED OUT HOUSES AND FENCING IN THESE ANIMALS ! STUPID IDEA BECAUSE THEY HAVE GO DOWN TO THE RIVER AT NIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES ! SO INSTEAD OF TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT YOU HAVE KNOW FOR 30 YEARS YOUR GOING TO THE TOWN INSTEAD !! SUCH A COWARD!!
At the request of the Bergen Couny Animal Control Pete had to bring Buddy and all the ducks to Potash until the Council Meeting on 2/21. Let’s just hope if the Mayor and Council say that the Buddy and friends can return that we still find them at Potash!
I had no idea there was any action taken by anyone to attempt to remove the ducks from River Road until now. I hope they stay on River Road. They are a fixture and a nice element of River Road.
I totally agree that the real issue that needs attention is the traffic issue. It is HORRIBLE on this street and only getting worse. The town should not allow through-traffic on this street–especially with the children and the wildlife roaming in the street.
All this said, something needs to be cleared up to Mike Rabinawitz and Mike Johnson and who ever else wants to point fingers unjustly: It was not I or my father Russ who complained to the town about the ducks. Please do not blame us when we had NOTHING to do with it. It was probably someone who passes through and does not like to be inconvenienced. Apparently people are trying to make me out to be the villain here and in other social forums, when all I did was express concern for the ducks well-being on the Oakland petition (where I also stated that Buddy has had the tendency in the past to be overly aggressive/protective, which is true). And it was I who suggested making a preserve for the ducks, which I thought was a good idea. Of course the concept needs refinement, but my heart was in the right place Mike. It was also a way to get rid of the eye-sore that is the abandoned house at 35 River Road.
The speeding on River Road is a known problem….I’ve commented on it years ago and I don’t even live there. It should have been addressed years ago.
I also think this area of Oakland would be an ideal place to implement the concept of “empathetic signage”. Basically it’s the concept that traffic signs need not be so generic and legalistic looking….but more of a personal emotion. They usually get motorists to respond on a human level rather than fear of the law. ..It’s been used for a variety of purposes very successfully with middle school children designing the signs.
While any home buyouts by the government would revert to open space, it’s probably not going to happen in the short term. But I think the general idea mentioned by Cristo brings to light the fact that Oakland has done nothing and has no plans with regard to it’s existing open space.
Editors Note: If the authors of any comments on this article prefer that we un-publish them, please let us know. You can email us at editors@theoaklandjournal.com
Differences can always be worked out; but personal hurt, imagined or real, can create much deeper rifts between people.
With no immediate danger present, the premature enforcement of the animal control laws deprived the community an opportunity to address the situation on a local level; this in turn created an environment of contention between neighbors.
Hopefully this will be remedied by the community working together with local officials to address the issues impacting their neighborhood.
The River Road neighborhood is a special one in Oakland, and residents there have had more than their fair share of hardships this past year. While the published comments reflect some contention, they also reflect a passion and concern for the neighborhood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tYgLZlYE0
A video was posted on You Tube by Cristo featuring Buddy as the Terror of River Road, which suggested that this person may have been responsible for the complaint to remove Buddy and his water fowl friends. We have no reason to doubt Cristo and the 30+ year relationship with him and his family.
We are all trying to put our lives back together after hurricane Irene and this unnecessary stress could not have come at a worst time! Even though Buddy and the ducks have been relocated to Potash – which may be a better life for them – we are going to go the Council Meeting on 2/21 to address the traffic problem and possibly petition to have River Road become a One Way.
An accident occurred at the corner of River Road and Spring Street shortly after the ducks were dropped off at one of the two severe turns we have on our narrow road heading towards the rec field and this imminent danger has not been eliminated by removing the ducks!
To GNA STEELE (and anyone else who cares for the ducks):
I appreciate your words and understanding regarding the Buddy aka Terror Goose situation. It is true that we have a long history here on River Road together and it is comforting to know that even though tensions have been high lately regarding the ducks’ potential eviction, that you can take me at my word that I have no ill-will towards the ducks and enjoy their presence here on River Road and especially that the complaints did not come from me or my father. It is unfortunate that my video caused people to point fingers at me and my family, but I guess when nobody on the street is in on the joke that I have between my family and friends (in calling Buddy the Terror Goose and the subsequent youtube video), I can see how people can look at this video with a skewed eye.
Truth be told, the origin of Buddy’s “Terror Goose” name comes from 2008 when he really (at least to my memory) began mingling freely on our street and on our properties. At first we were surprised and amused by his presence; especially when his harem of ducks began following him like disciples from house to house. It was not until he began to become aggressive towards anyone who walked in his path that I began to call him Terror Goose. He used to attack my grandmother as she would get out of the car, myself and my father and one time he even pecked at a truck driver who was asking for directions near the pool store–a hilarious sight to be sure.
I know in Buddy’s mind he is protecting the street and his followers, so his aggressiveness was taken with a grain of salt. I and especially my friends and their children began to really love these ducks and their rambunctious behavior; especially when they block traffic! Their arrogant defiance against the obtrusive constant flow of cars was not only worthy of valor, but a true sign of their vast intelligence. This was their street too and they were doing their part. They have definitely made an impact on the amount of vehicles that pass through River Road daily. The ducks have become a local phenomenon and one worthy of everyone’s knowledge. That is why I chose to randomly film the ducks and especially Buddy. It was just by chance that I one day felt like editing together the Storm of Terror Goose video that has become the focus of such attention and scrutiny. I had no idea that when I posted the link onto the petition to save the ducks, that it would spark such controversy. I had hoped others would find the video as humorous, ridiculous and entertaining as I and countless other people do.
Whatever happens with Buddy and his friends from here I hope their best interest is in mind and that they will be safe and happy. It is highly regrettable that many duckies have perished by the traffic on our street and I hope this hard lesson can at least once and for all lead to a solution for the dangerous and reckless autobahn that is River Road.
I have a solution that will fix everything on that street. Speed bumps. Put a few of them on the road and you will see the average speed of the cars decrease immediately.
All it would take would be an afternoon or two of the DPW installing a few strategically placed speedbumps on that street and you would see the amount of traffic and speeding be reduced to almost nothing. Drivers do not like having the undercarriage of their cars destroyed by a bump in the road.
Please bring this up in the meeting in February.
Steven, I like the speed bumps idea however I still think because of the narrowness of the streets in that area that a one way is needed. Then, one of the other streets (Hillside or Spring) should also be one way.
I’ve spoken to people that live on streets with speed bumps… they say they’re noisy and people speed in between the bumps. It also makes it difficult for DPW to plow.
It’s also a maintenance undertaking when they start to erode (which in turn uses taxpayer money). I have 2 in my office parking lot. The only people who actually slow down are those with cars that are low to the ground.
WE have reached 232 signatures to keep Buddy and his friends
Buddy and friends have been relocated to Potash and it has been a rough transition as they were removed from their familiar surroundings and now have to find their place in the pecking order with the other wildlife at Postash such as another African Goose which is trying to show his dominance and keeps challenging Buddy by holding him under the water. I don’t know if we are ever going to be able to bring Buddy and friends back to River Road, I don’t particularly think that we will get the support that we need from the Mayor Council because they would have to set a precedent. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to support our cause – you have all shown a tremendous support for our goose BUDDY who has his own fan club.
We’ve made Buddy his own facebook page. Please join and help us. If anyone has pictures of themselves with the ducks , pease post them to his page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buddy-the-African-Goose/197210390377818#!/pages/Buddy-the-African-Goose/197210390377818
Buddy the goose and his buddies are an important part of the community. If bear crossing and deer crossing signs are put up than a duck crossing sign can be put up also. I live by the river because I enjoy the animals. They are not a traffic hazard, they are enjoyed by many in town not just those located by the river. Abandoning a domesticated animal is against the law. It is inhumane and immoral. How did this happen? I want Buddy back
Ron Beattie is one of the rudest people I have ever encountered. I can’t believe he shot a monkey. Why doesn’t the town get rid of him. His treatment of Oakland residents is unacceptable.