Ottawa Hills council votes 4-2 to cull deer

11/23/2009

After a 2 1/2 hour public hearing, Ottawa Hills Village Council Monday night voted 4-2 to open the door for the area's first organized killing of deer in more than a decade.

Council voted to exempt an ordinance that has banned firearms from being discharged in the village since 1940.

Passing the exemption allows the village to hire an outside firm to selectively kill up to 50 deer next year.

Council members made the decision after hearing from about 40 people inside the gymnasium of Ottawa Hills Elementary School. About 350 people attended the council meeting.

Council members Norma King and Rex Decker voted against exempting the firearms ordinance.