The evenings last forever as we reach the early part of our summer. I drove through the Village of Manlius tonight shortly after nine in the fading light of a beautiful June evening. I passed the bouquets of flowers and balloons adorning the wrought iron fence of the Swan Pond in memory of Faye. She was the matriarch of Manlius, killed one week ago in the dark of night.
On the edge of the Swan Pond this evening sat Manny, Faye’s mate. He was grooming himself doing what birds do, but he was doing it alone. His solitary presence felt profound because of the absence of Faye and their four cygnets who were taken in a criminal act. The cool of the air settled on the pond as the late spring sunsets turn into the longest days of the year. I considered the unsettled feeling Manny must carry during these longest nights of his life.
The Village of Manlius is paying an official #RIP tribute to Faye by posting her photo on the LED welcome sign typically reserved for traffic announcements, holiday closures and village notices. What should follow the obituary photo for Faye is the specifics about the next Manlius Village Board meeting which is Tuesday, June 13 at 6:00 pm in the Village Centre Board Room.
The mayor and trustees should be planning to present the community with the latest information on the legal case against the three Syracuse teens accused of killing Faye and stealing her babies. The board should share an update on the changes made to the swan pond since the brutal beheading of Faye. And, the mayor should open the floor to as many people from the community who wish to speak about the horror of what happened and the future of the Swan Pond.
Mayor Paul Whorrall told me the other night: “there will not be any further discussion about the future of the Swan Pond.” He acknowledges there will be a regularly scheduled public forum period, but he plans to be “cautious on how that plays out.” He is defensive of the swan tradition that has lasted a century in Manlius.
If that tradition is as rich as the mayor believes it certainly deserves a full examination in the wake of the third act of violence against the swans in 30 years. The attacks are not only against the resident birds. They are against the beauty, the serenity and the pride the community associates with the swans. There is a universal sacred in the non-judgmental love and caring we have for animals. This family of swans is part of the larger community in Manlius and beyond.
The hard edges of the passionate feelings about the violent attack will soften over time. But, the community healing will come more quickly if people can come together to speak their voice. Equally important is to know their elected leaders are listening. The mayor and the trustees of Manlius should remain open minded to the future of the swan pond instead of cutting off the conversation before it is fully formed.
One week after the three teens jumped the fence and killed Faye it is important we continue to appreciate what is missing from the Manlius swan pond. A daily source of beauty and joy was stolen. The matriarch of Manlius, Faye, is no longer leading her flock. Her mate Manny doesn’t need a reminder. On one of the longest days of the year, he’s living through the longest nights of his life.