Our Council Members are trying to dismiss us as irrelevant. They are giving more respect to an unidentified group that is suing them with a frivolous environmental lawsuit when numerous other California cities have used the same CEQA wavier that our Council did when it legally amended the ordinance to provide legal protection for us. Do not let this happen. Do not let them rescind the passed ordinance. Make them continue to dialog with us regarding how to find a solution. Make them explain/justify why they will not collaborate with us. You have until February 3rd to shout the truth to all who will listen. It is clear that it will take political pressure for our elected officials to do the right thing.
Let me be clear, this is now as much about ethical democratic practice as it is about backyard hens. Under no circumstances would it be appropriate for this Council to rescind and just tell us to go away. The work to amend the ordinance must continue.
I have provided you a list of names and contacts. Here is the order of most effective communication: in person, Zoom, phone, then email.
If you can reach them through a social media outlet that they read that would be effective too.
You should be trying all of these methods and you should be encouraging your contacts to do the same. The goal is to flood them with our voice.
Council Members: Call your Council Member and/or call them all.
Eric Arias Ward 1
401-5366 (cell)
Andrae Gonzales Ward 2
808-4929 (cell)
Ken Weir Ward 3 (His term expires November 2022)
619-2472 (cell)
ken@hawcpas.com (personal email address)
Bob Smith Ward 4
330-1404 (cell)
Bruce Freeman Ward 5
326-3767 (city office - leave a message requesting he call you)
Patty Gray Ward 6
978-4183 (cell)
837-1117 (work - DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen)
834-4943 (office)
Chris Parlier Ward 7 (His term expires November 2022)
496-5476 (cell)
You can call 326-3767 for all Council Members as well. This is the city’s contact for them. It is best to use a cell number.
You can also email all Council Members at City_Council@bakersfieldcity.us It is best to use a personnel email address if you have one.
DO ALL FORMS OF CONTACT! BE HEARD!
City Manager of Bakersfield
Christian Clegg
326-3751 (work)
Mayor
Karen Goh
326-3770 (work)
City Attorney
Ginny Gennaro
326-3721 (work)
Bakersfield California Reporter
Sam Morgen
1118714010 (instant message)
Editorial To The Paper
Bakersfield.com/opinion
State Assembly
Rudy Salas
335-0302
Vince Fong
395-2995
State Senate
Melissa Hurtado
395-2620
Shannon Grove
323-0443
House of representatives
Kevin McCarthy
327-3611
202-225-2915
You need to make noise and apply pressure to our elected Council Members. What is happening does not sit well with people once they hear and understand the circumstances. Think outside the box and recruit new members to our grassroots movement. This is now about inclusion, access, and representation of the common citizen. Their are lots of groups and individuals who feel passionately about this.
You have permission to repost and share any of my posts for the good of our cause. You may use and edit any part to use as your own when contacting media.
As you research counter lawsuit options for the Backyard Hen Community continue to reach out to me so we can coordinate our efforts. It is best to reach me at thebubh@gmail.com