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Replacing swans in Xenia park not a budget priority

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By Sue Moning, Contributing Writer 12:40 AM Tuesday, July 7, 2009

XENIA — The economy’s swan song may be dooming a Xenia councilman’s bid to bring swans to town.

City Councilman Bill Miller wants the city to buy a new pair of swans for Shawnee Park, to replace a pair that once swam around the lagoon at the city’s main park. Miller said citizens enjoyed seeing the swans, and that they were a park asset. He first raised the idea in the spring, but it was not acted upon.

“Given our current budget situation, swans are not our first priority,” said City Manager Jim Percival. “I’m hoping to find someone to donate (a pair).”

Percival said area breeders quoted prices ranging from $1,200 for a pair of yearling swans to $2,400 for an adult pair. The park had a resident pair of swans in recent years. One was killed by a car; the other disappeared.

“There is a budget problem,” Miller agreed, noting that replacing the swans may help reduce geese and ducks.

“I know they are effective,” he said of the swans. “Once they’ve become a breeding pair, they get very protective of their water.”

Percival said, “It appears they did help with the goose problem from time to time.”

The city also is considering other options, including dogs, to chase geese. Xenia already contracts with a Kentucky-based company, Geese B Gone, Percival said, and in June approved paying the company $900.

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