Do Not Under Estimate Your Opponent(A MUST READ!)

City Attorney’s direct quote when speaking to Councilman Smith regarding understanding his request at the Wednesday, August 12th City Council meeting:

City Attorney: “I heard your comments to basically direct Staff to come back with an ordinance pretty much following the BUBH guidelines that was in the report - no permits and as few restrictions as possible. If my notes are correct I think a majority of your colleagues were in favor of that.”

“You have my word as the City Attorney since ordinances fall under my department that I will have this back to you on September the 23rd”

“Staff is to work on the proposal ordinance and come back with first reading after going to Leg and Lit using the BUBH guidelines and no permits and least restrictions as possible.”

Councilman Smith: “Thank you. As stated.”

Two things to reflection on and remember:

1. Do not underestimate your opponent.

2. Do not count your chickens before they hatch.

Use these two reflections to motivate you into action. Our backyard hen community needs to do two things.

1. Continue to write emails to City Council members. We need to out number the opposition that is and will be coming. We cannot afford to let that small minority group have more documented opposing emails than our supporting ones. This is why it is so important to write multiple letters, to have every family member write their individual letter, and to insist, and follow up on, having friends and neighbors write letters.

2. Show up for the next two Council meetings that have backyard hens on the agenda. (September 23rd) We need numbers in favor of there to make a public comment of support. It is not important at this point of the process to make your case why. We have done that already and were successful. Simply stand up and say. “I strongly support backyard hens.” That is all. Think how powerful that would be to have 40 plus people saying that. We have key people in place to articulate the details. You just have to be personally motivated to follow through with being at the Council meetings to speak.

September 23rd should be on your calendar. That Council meeting will either be at 3:30 or 5:15. Highlight this date and prepare for either time. No excuses if you want the protection of the law to own backyard hens. Commit today. We are close to making something amazing happen. In less than two months this might be a reality.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT. Use this mantra to motivate yourself into ACTION!