A vote that could lead to the selective killing of deer in Ottawa Hills remains scheduled for Nov. 23, but the location has been changed a second time.
The meeting will be in the gymnasium of Ottawa Hills Elementary School, 3602 Indian Rd., starting at 7:30 p.m.
It had been moved earlier from the village hall to St. Michael's In The Hills Episcopal Church.
The village has banned hunting since 1940.
Councilmen are to decide whether to pass an exemption to the 1940 ordinance so a firm could be hired to selectively kill up to 50 deer.
The village is considering the cull because of complaints about deer-related traffic risks and property damage in recent years.The proposed change to the ordinance has undergone two readings.
A third and final reading of the measure is expected before the vote.
The village's Web site, www.ottawahills.org, did not state the purpose of the meeting but said the location has been moved to "provide more space for interested citizens who wish to attend."
The village has asked the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for permission for the kill.
Village councilmen estimate the initial cull would cost $25,000 to $30,000, based on information from White Buffalo Inc., a firm that culls deer.
Councilmen have agreed such a cull may have to be done more than once to be successful.
Opponents claim the deer problem has been exaggerated and that the kill would be a waste of tax dollars.
Terry Lodge, a Toledo attorney representing opponents, said in a recent letter to the Ohio DNR that it should compel full disclosure on hunting techniques from any firm that is hired because there are "potential statuatory animal cruelty issues implicated, as well as public health and safety ones arising from the likely use of rifles."
That letter and other information compiled by opponents can be found online at www.villagedeer.com.
An online petition that opponents have generated can be accessed off the Web site or by going to http://sites.google.com/site/villagedeer/petition.
It had more than 150 entries as of yesterday, including one from retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick.
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