Email To The Author...

(I also copied it to the three Council Members that have confirmed their support for backyard hens.)

“Dear Planning Director,

I am writing out of respect to inform you that the backyard hen community is upset with the author's workshop packet on the topic of Urban Chickens that was released to the public on Friday, August 7th.

Following is a quick summary of why: equitable time and examples provided explaining the topic's issues were clearly one-sided against hen ownership, loaded word choices that skews the reader toward the "do not amend the ordinance", the lack (omission) of discussion on several major important topics, the use of hypothetical phrases to convince the reader negatively when ignoring the document's own favorable data for hens, and presenting such a strong, one-sided, negative recommendation when the presentation did not adequately represent the "for hens" positions.

I am also disappointed with the report. In phone conversations with you and during our one zoom meeting, you communicated to me multiple times that it is the City Employee's job to be balanced and unbiased when writing and presenting information on the backyard hen topic to be presented to the City Council Members. This document does not do that. There is an obvious position that the author takes, and it is to convenience the reader to not amend the ordinance.

I have been counseling and advising the hundreds of members of the backyard hen community to express their frustration in a respectful manner with their continued letters and public comments. As we move forward with the City regarding our working together and collaboration with finding solutions to amend the ordinance for allowing backyard hens, I encourage you to use the Bakersfield Urban Backyard Hens‘ "Proposed Ordinance" as an example of what a well thought out, balanced, and thorough ordinance is. This example is reasonable and possible. 

Sincerely,”