John Coyne emphasizes deer management, pedestrian safety and development at Medina candidates forum

John Coyne, candidate for mayor and president of the Medina City Council, used a candidates forum hosted by Medina TV and the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce to outline priorities that he said would address public safety, infrastructure and economic development in the City of Medina.

Coyne highlighted public-safety concerns tied to the city’s deer population, saying the current bow-hunting program has been ineffective and advocating for “a comprehensive deer management plan” that would use multiple strategies — including deterrents, vegetation changes, law-enforcement involvement and, if needed, sharpshooters — to reduce vehicle collisions and property damage over time. “Last year, we only harvested 18 deer through that program,” he said, and he cited a recent year with “over 140 deer struck and killed by cars,” with this year estimated at “170 to 180” deer struck and killed.

Coyne said the city should consider a range of responses rather than relying on a single method. He recommended studying deer migration and…