Veterans, commissioners still looking for answers to those pesky buzzards

Pastor David Kahle represented the Chase County Veterans Memorial Committee in discussions with the Chase County Commissioners Tuesday about options to protect the veterans memorial on the courthouse lawn from buzzards.
The buzzards’ feces are corrosive to the materials of the memorial. The buzzards have been tearing up the top of the courthouse for years, as well.
Mike Sherman with USDA Wildlife Services has offered solutions over the past several years, but none have worked.
Kahle and the commissioners discussed “Christmas laser lights,” “shiny little discs” or putting out owl decoys. In Kahle’s research, however, at some point the birds will start to ignore them.
The buzzards migrated before anything could be installed after work on the memorial was completed this fall, but will be returning this spring.
The most long term solution suggested by the veterans committee would be to cut down or trim back five trees.
Another option would be a canopy at an estimated cost of $30,000 to $50,000. Kahle pointed out a canopy would need to be cleaned and maintained.
Moving the wall from the west side of the memorial further east was also discussed, but wouldn’t solve the problem of feces on the lawn and sidewalk.
After discussion, the group was hopeful that deterrents will work early in the season and the buzzards will develop a new routine.
Work continues on the memorial.
The committee is waiting for repairs to the kiosk’s computer after it was “fried,” possibly by a lightning strike or power surge. The benches around the memorial have been removed and are being repainted after they began to show rust.