C RY D E R
P O I N T
MARCH 14
CRYDER POINT ANNOUNCES
“OPERATION DUCK WATCH”
EARLY BIRD MALLARD T. QUACK SPOTTED ON SITE
14 CRYDER POINT COURIER | MARCH 2018 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
Photos of the intruders taken Feb. 23 and 24 at the Cryder
Point Pool.
Photos by Marsha Gellert
BY JILL DAVIS
UPDATE: Beechhurst, NY – As many of you already
know, Cryder Point has been dealing with a consortium
of duck intruders for more than a year, and the Cryder
Point Courier has been monitoring the situation. In addition,
the co-op has begun a new initiative, “Operation
Duck Watch,” and the paper has placed a photographer
on special assignment to help monitor the situation.
It had not been expected that there would be any new
sightings until at least later this month. (Last year, the
leader of the pack, Mallard T. Quack, was sighted on the
premises in late March.) Fortunately, resident Marsha
Gellert was already on high alert, and as these photos reveal,
the posse recently made an extra-early appearance
on the property at the end of February. Their so-called
“visit” spanned the course of two days, from February
23rd to the 24th.
Notably, the pictures show Mr. Quack and his cohorts
openly surveying the pool and the surrounding area, with
apparently no concern of being caught. Ms. Gellert said,
“I saw them waddling all around the pool deck and on
top of the pool cover. It’s like they want the cover taken
off already.”
The paper immediately brought the pictures to the Cryder
Point Management Office. “They’re back already?”
said Cryder Point’s Administrative Manager, Stacey
Pankavich. “I think we’d better get Bill Newell in on
this,” she said, visibly concerned.
Mr. Newell shook his head at the pictures. “You know,
I was worried about this. The weather’s been so crazy…
all you need are one or two mild days…it’s like they can’t
help themselves.” He paused and said, “But why are they
nosing around the pool? I can tell you they didn’t do that
this early last year. I’m worried about that Quack. We
know he’s the ring leader and I’m sure he’s up to no good.”
Coincidentally, members of the Cryder Point Board
had a pre-season meeting already scheduled with Elite,
the pool management company, for the following week,
and informed them of this latest event. Andrew Meditz,
Elite’s president, said, “I really appreciate the heads up
as we begin to plan for the upcoming season. We will be
sure that all of Elite’s on-site staff is trained to use binoculars,
and we won’t bill you for that. We certainly don’t
want anyone’s feathers ruffled.”
As Operation Duck Watch takes form, a special subcommittee
is being considered to handle what is anticipated
to be an active season. Among the steps being
deliberated is the involvement of local law enforcement,
as well as the co-op retaining a special attorney in the
event of any arrests or litigation.
“Naturally involving outside assistance could result in
costs to the residents, so we don’t want to dive into this
too deeply too soon,” Mr. Newell said. He continued, “I
know I’ve said it before, but I can’t stress enough that our
staff will be working with Elite on this throughout the
coming pool season. Elite will be running the pool, and
I’m always there to be their wingman.”
As always, residents are asked to contact the Cryder
Point Courier or Cryder Point Management to report
any fowl play, as well as Elite once the pool season starts.
All residents are encouraged to supply photographs
whenever possible. Caution continues to be advised. If
necessary, please call the Waterfowl Hotline at 1-800-555-
DUCK.
This is a developing story and updates will be forthcoming
as we receive further information.