Martinez Beavers: What, Exactly, Is The Problem?

I was at Luigi's Deli on Saturday, ordering a sandwich. In front of me in line was a gentleman having a conversation with the counter clerk. The subject was beavers.

"I haven't seen them in a while," the clerk said. 

"I think they're gone," said the guy. 

"Oh, no. They are still there," I butted in. "There are four of them - a father and three kits." 

"Oh. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part," said the guy. 

So tell me. What is that about? Why would this person wish the beavers away? What have they done to him that is so egregious that he even pays attention to them at all? 

This is Martinez, where even aquatic furry critters become lightning rods for politics. But I don't understand, now that the fears about the beavers bringing floods and doom to downtown have passed, why they are still the target of so much animosity in some. What have they done other than ? Created an active creek eco-system that now includes muskrats, turtles, and other denizens? Brought us national publicity? 

The city spent some money on preserving the beavers, sure. But it spent a lot more protecting the businesses downtown from the real threats of flooding, which have to do with tides and creek flows, not with beaver dams. The latter, rather than create floods, with last year's first big storms. 

So why this petulance towards beavers? I honestly don't understand it. Not caring about them is one thing - I'm not all that much of a cheerleader, either. But wishing they would go away? Why? That I do not understand. 

But, this being Martinez, I'm quite certain there will be at least a few folks who will tell me in the comment stream. So have it, beaver-haters. Enlighten me.