Fowl feud continues to pollute Newport

June Casagrande

The feathers just keep on flying.

A ban on feeding ducks in the city was supposed to be the final

squawk in the long-running debate on how to handle some foul fowl on

the Grand Canal.

It seemed simple enough: If someone disobeys the new ordinance by

setting out troughs of food and water, the city would first call

attention to the matter, perhaps with a phone call or a visit. If the

problem persists, issue a little written warning. And, if all that

fails, slap down a fine.

End of story?

Nope.

The city is now involved in an unpleasant exchange with a Grand

Canal homeowner whose private pier has been dubbed “Duck Central.”

The city has issued two fines to Grand Canal resident Bunty Justin

totaling $200 for violating the new ordinance. But that’s not all,

folks. The city is also asking to be reimbursed for the $304.45 cost

of cleaning up the duck droppings on the sidewalk near her home.

Justin thinks their logic is less than ducky.

“Feeding the ducks some dry cat food isn’t causing acid rain or

the greenhouse affect [sic],” she wrote in a letter to city

officials, “it’s not causing lethal accidents or contaminating the

water -- we, the people, are doing all that, not the ducks. And not

this old lady who feeds them a handful of dry Friskies a couple of

times a day.”

The city passed the ordinance partly because duck droppings

contribute to bacteria in the water and partly because of complaints

about the smell.

City leaders have tried to get the 82-year-old Justin, who has

steadfastly avoided media inquiries, to see things their way.

“I know that you look upon the waterfowl that you feed as friends,

or possibly as birds that require or want your assistance to

survive,” the city told Justin in a letter signed by Assistant City

Manager Dave Kiff. “But all evidence indicates that the ongoing,

routine feeding of migratory and other waterfowl is harmful to them.”

Justin’s not buying it. She is fighting the fines, and in her

letter she says she will fight them in court. And she wouldn’t be

surprised, she added, if the whole thing ends up on the TV show

“Unsolved Mysteries.”

“I shall try to smile and be charming,” she wrote, “as I throw out

another handful of Friskies for the camera to record.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.