animal cruelty.”
“No one is talking about rounding up the deer population,” Parker said.
“I should hope not!” Mildred said, and took her seat.
The next person waiting in line behind her was the tall white-haired man from the grocery store, who gave his name as Bob Wilson. “Mayor, members of the council, I’ve been doing some research, and statistics show that in areas where the deer population has increased, so has the incidence of Lyme disease. I’m sure we don’t want that for Moonlight Harbor. One way we can cut down on the exploding deer population is by making it illegal to feed the deer. By feeding them we extend the rutting season and that increases the population.”
Mildred popped up from her seat. “But how will they survive?”
“On leaves, like they’re supposed to,” Tyrella said.
“If anyone wishes to speak, please get in line to use the microphone,” Parker said in her most authoritative mayor voice, and Tyrella clamped her lips shut.
Bob left and turned the microphone over to Florence of the garden club, who Jenna also remembered from the grocery store. She’d been dancing around behind him like a four-year-old in need of the restroom.
“Florence Peterson,” she said. “This is not the first time we’ve come before the city council expecting you all to do something and you haven’t. Meanwhile, the deer are devouring everything in our yards and running amok. I want to know what you people are going to do about this. We elected you to be public servants. You need to serve us!”
“We are, of course, doing our best to serve everyone in Moonlight Harbor,” Parker replied.
“You don’t need to be serving the deer. They don’t pay taxes. And they don’t vote! Next election we’re going to remember who did what,” Florence threatened and stamped back to her seat.
Can’t we all just get along? Jenna thought. Good grief. With all the seriously bad things going on in the world, was this what everyone chose to get worked up about?
The next person in line wanted to point out how bad it was to feed the deer apples, everyone’s treat of choice, including the deer’s. “Washington State Fish and Wildlife states that feeding the deer things like apples actually messes with their digestive system and gives them deer diabetes. So, in kindness to the deer, we should at least stop people from feeding them.”
Mildred popped up yet again. “I don’t believe it! The deer love those apples.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be giving them to ’em,” Tyrella called from her side of the aisle. “It needs to be made illegal and there should be a stiff fine.”
“My eighty-year-old mother loves to feed the deer. Would you fine her?” shot back Mildred.
“Yes,” Tyrella retorted, her voice rising. “I don’t believe in age discrimination.”
“People, please. The microphone,” begged Parker.
Another man was on his feet, a hefty specimen in jeans and a camo T-shirt. He pointed a finger in the general direction of the council members. “If you don’t do something you’re nothing but a bunch of useless wimps!”
The woman next to him got to her feet, too. “We want action now!”
“That’s right. We’re sick and tired of not being listened to,” roared Mr. Camo Tee. “We’ve been talking about this long enough. No more screwing around!”
“Sir, if you don’t calm yourself I’ll have you removed,” Parker snapped, and the policeman present, who just happened to be Victor King, everyone’s favorite cop, made a move in his direction.
The angry citizen sat back down and shut up. And glared at each member of the council in turn.
“The council will look into this and then make a decision,” Parker promised. “Jenna Jones, will you please research this issue and report back with a recommendation at our next council meeting?”
The angry man in the camo tee glared at Jenna, as if to say, You’d better do what I want or I’ll bean you with an apple.
Oh, boy.
And here came her nervous tic. Her right eye began to twitch. “M-m-me?” she stuttered. Blink, blink.
“Yes. The council will hear your report and then vote on this matter.”
Fine, throw the new kid under the bus.
The mayor was talking. Jenna barely heard her. New business. Something about new business.
Fellow council member Kiki Strom began talking about the proposed painting of the fire hydrants. Local artists were encouraged to participate. Moonlight Harbor residents would have the opportunity to cast their votes for their favorite once the fire hydrants were complete, and there would be a cash prize of two hundred dollars for the creator