Board to Reconsider Mute Swan Cull Resolution

A unanimous vote last month resolving to allow the state of Michigan to in West Bloomfield will be reconsidered tonight at the township board of trustees meeting.

The board voted June 18 to allow township attorneys to write a resolution allowing subdivisions to participate in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources mute swan removal program at the behest of the subdivisions. There would have reportedly been no cost to residents.

Prompted by complaints of residents and activists that the birds have negatively affected life for residents and wildlife, the resolution was to mirror another recently passed by Bloomfield Township. 

"We have had problems for quite some time from different swans ... we had multiple attacks," said Mandi Mankvitz, a resident of the Middle Straits Lake Association, at the June meeting. "They are destroying habitats."

However, complaints from residents opposing the resolution have been placed in the agenda packet. 

"We've never had the request before," said Clerk Catherine Shaughnessy at the June meeting.

The program would reportedly target the birds, their eggs and their nests.

The township board meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. and will be broadcast and live-streamed by Civic Center TV. For a look at the meeting agenda, visit

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