Hen Community Showed Up ...

Here are some points and observations from this afternoon's Council meeting:

1. Tonight was a step in the right direction for amending the ordinance.

2. Don't count you chickens before they hatch. We need to continue to write emails. If you wrote one - write two more. Double your efforts to bring new people into our backyard hen community.

3. It is always harder to motivate someone to participate about a positive than a negative. Do not be fooled. This is a process. It is political. We will be hearing comments of opposition. This is why there is an urgency to continue to write and get additional supporters.

4. Stay focused on the positives and our factual examples. Do not engage in complaints and anger. Show them that we are respectful and responsible.

5. Bakersfield has some City Council Members that are thoughtful, in touch, intelligent, and supportive of backyard hens.

6. Currently we have the numbers in our favor.

7. The Council wants to move quicker than slower.

8. The Council wants to keep it simple.

9. It will get serious now that we are at the level of discussing details.

10. It is important that we read the proposed ordinance from the website Bakersfield Urban Backyard Hens and are as closely aligned with it as we continue to write emails and speak publicly. Consistent messaging.

11. City Employees involved in this process are slanted (you insert how much) towards not allowing hens. If they are allowed; then approval with the most restrictions as possible.

12. City Employees are not as knowledgeable on this topic as we are and obviously are not doing the work needed to represent all issues in a fair and balanced manner.

13. I believe we, as a group, have more credibility the the author of the presented workshop packet.

14. Your letters and public comments are real, true, heartfelt, intelligent and moving. (Keep it up.)

15. The author has unintentionally given us a lot to work with in their own report. (This might be the topic of my next document. If you have examples please share with me.) * Bruce, maybe make this a Facebook activity.

16. (Something to think about ... ) Be careful of not being negative or providing the City with social media examples that do not portray the backyard hen movement in a positive light. They made it clear that they will take examples out of context to try to slant the discussion towards not allowing hens.

17. I have made a lot of new friends and some of my older friends have made my heart happy with their involvement.

18. Participate in our weekly Zoom meetings (posted on Facebook). We need to be organized with our messaging so we are not redundant. We are past the stage of getting their attention. We now show them our clarity, our strength, and our commitment.

19. Children are precious. Watch the taped meeting to see how our youth hit a homerun with their public comments! I asked them if they were nervous and they said yes. You know what, they still showed up and represented.

20. Hope. Maybe, as citizens, we can be involved with the democratic process to be the agents of positive change.

21. Backyard hens equal "quality of life" for citizens.

22. The laying of an egg is a miracle!