[Vision2020] RE: fishing derby

[Mark Seman]

Bill,
I appreciate your response, I understand your perspective and I totally
agree with you about the impacts this event has on the park, its inhabitants
and visitors.  This event has been a part of Moscow's culture for many
years, which in itself does not make it "right", but it does offer a great
venue of teachiing and learning for a huge range of impacts people have on
their surroundings.  Just because this event has a title such as "fishing
derby," does not imply that its "meaning" should only be kept within the
concept of its organizers.  Although one significant concept for all
organizers is for this event to be a positive one, within whatever
*reasonable* scenerio it takes.

I would encourage any and everyone to help participate in the event, and
bring with them their own unique perspective on what this "fishing derby"
is.  Educational opportunities abound for environmental stewardship,
ecosystem structure, empathy for other life, the sublime wonder of our
world, and our cultural biases, but it takes peoples' involvement for *all*
this to occur.  IDF&G, Kiwanis, parents, and other volunteers will try to do
their part, but they will only scratch the surface of the entire available
potential.  I hope these posts will encourage others to visit the event and
be actualized to participate in making it better.

I operate within this community at a number of levels to help promote its
betterment and this venue is single event in my life.  It is not inert nor
is it catastrophic, it is only a part of a continuum of my efforts.  Looking
at the wider social perspective of what I could be doing and the rate of
positive influence, maybe it's not ideal, but it is as good as people make
it.  Somewhat relevant to this event and my life, I come with 18 years of
commercial fishing history in which I helped slaughter 100k's of salmon.
Why did I do it and what was its meaning?  My understanding is different, my
perception of "fish" is different, my reverence for life is different.  I
know what it was and I know what it is.

When inappropriate behavior is observed, I hope there is opportunity for
discourse and education.  If you decide to attend or visit, please stop by
the concessions area, find me and offer other suggestions and solutions.
I'm glad you took the time to voice your thoughts.

Mark
Kiwanis member
PCEI Board member

Mark Seman, Architect
Heather Seman, Landscape Architect
1404 East 'F' Street  Moscow, Idaho 83843
v 208-883-3276 / f 208-883-0112

  -----Original Message-----
  From:  (deleted)
   Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 9:04 AM
  To: Mark Seman
  Subject: fishing derby


  Hello Mr. Seman,

  I am responding to your posting on Vision2020 promoting the fishing derby.
While I understand that fishing is a part of our culture, I object to the
way the derby is conducted. The derby may encourage children to be fishers,
but it seems to do little to teach them reverence for the lives they are
taking in the process. When fishing is done for food, that's one thing; when
the fish are slaughtered for fun, as seems to be the case here, I question
the derby's value as an event Kiwanais should be sponsoring.

  For the past several years, on the day after the derby and for a week or
more thereafter, the shore of Hordeman Pond has been littered with carcasses
of dead and dying fish. Evidently this is because the water does not contain
enough oxygen to sustain the fish. This matter has been brought to the
attention of the City Council, the Parks and Recreation department, and
IDF&G. Evidently it is seen as a positive event, of value to the community.

  The Kiwanis, as sponsors of the event, should at least clean up the dead
and dying fish. Please be a good neighbor and visit the Pond on the days
after the derby to clean up the mess.

  You should also know that birds which have chosen the area around the pond
for nesting sites have been or will be displaced by the preparations for the
derby or by the derby itself. This includes a pair of Canada geese, a pair
of blue herons and several pair of ducks. For several years, there have been
no ducklings on the pond, probably as a consequence of the derby. The
children should be made aware of this.

  Thank you,

  Bill  (deleted)
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