She enjoys watching the waterfowl on the lake, especially the swans.

That’s why she became upset when she read about the plan the kill invasive mute swans which have rapidly multiplied in numbers over the past few years.

“There is a great deal of unhappiness about this plan, and I request that it be delayed,” Newhof commented last week in learning that the Muskegon Conservation District, along with the U.S. Wildlife Service, to shoot adult swans in an effort to control the population on White Lake which was counted at 1,200 at peak periods in 2010.

Statewide, the numbers of mute swans have grown from 5,700 in 2000 to 15,500 in 2010, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Newhof has expressed her concern by communicating with her neighbor, Jeff Auch, who is the executive director of the conservation district.

“I feel that shooting the mute swans should be the last resort in controlling the population,” Newhof said.

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