Dear Backyard Hen Community and Supporters,
The Californian published a "2020 Year In Review: Non-COVID headlines prominent throughout the year" article. Here is the link to the on-line Californian article. (suggestion: read my notes and thoughts below prior to reading the article) Open the link and scroll down to the seventh headline, "Hen Ordinance".
Here are some of my observations and thoughts:
They used the word "hen". We use this word to focus on the fact that we do not advocate for roosters. In fact, we are helping the City with education and rehoming efforts to not have roosters in the R-1 zone. Passing the ordinance will help provide clarity and an understanding on what is and isn't permitted in the R-1 zone. Hens, not chickens, is what we are asking for.
We are described as, "large group of supporters successfully petitioned the City Council to pass an ordinance allowing backyard hens". We are a large group; and growing. There is also the large silent group that support us, but do not want hens themselves. They might not be motivated to advocate for hens, but they love the ideas that urban hens represent. We are the majority on this issue. It is clearly documented in official transcripts with the amount of emails, calls, and in person public comments that we have made for support of backyard hens. Also, it is correctly pointed out that we were successful in working with the City to amend the ordinance and allow for hens (then the lawsuit). We were successful because what we are asking for is reasonable and fair while enhancing the quality of life experiences for families. Do not let an obstructionist lawsuit attempt take that from us. Continue to communicate your support for hens. If you have already done so, you need to do so again. We have new Councilmembers and the debate will continue.
"Advocates say hens provide healthy food and companionship". We have shared the numerous benefits of hen ownership. "Healthy food" and "companionship" are two of them. Here are a few others: food security and sovereignty, green waste bio-recycling partners (eat kitchen scrapes), bug control, educational experiences for children, inexpensive, easy to care for, fertilizer for gardens and flowerbeds, and therapeutic animals (for stress, depression, anxiety, and dementia).
"distractors are concerned over property values and the spread of disease." We have debated and educated these two topics at city council meetings. We clearly demonstrated that health concerns are minimal while easily addressed, and that property value is not affected by urban hens. The fact is, many of the highest property valued cities in California and our nation allow urban backyard hens.
The distractors are also described as an "anonymous group". How sad and disappointing that the people trying to stop the City from amending this ordinance are not even willing to make themselves known. We should be a city that works together to find solutions and compromises while being respectful to one another.
The fifth headline of this article is about our new city manager, Christian Clegg. He was formerly the deputy city manager of Stockton, California. Stockton's City Council just passed the legalization of backyard hens for urban residents. Their city council did so with an unanimous "in favor of" vote. They recognize how backyard hens enhance the quality of life experiences for residents; just like so many other cities have.
Here is a teaser for you. I spoke with newly elected Councilman Arias today by phone. We had a wonderful conversation. All of you (backyard hen supporters) need to be reaching out to Councilmembers and talking directly to them. Our topic is going to be discussed in January and the Councilmembers need to hear from you; even the ones that have already shown support. Continue to let them know how important this topic is. Visit my webpage, thebubh.wixsite.com/bubh and look at the tabs for assistance with emailing Councilmembers. Or, contact me directly at thebub@gmail.com or reach out to me on Facebook. You need to participate. You need to take action. Be part of something great and historic. You will be able to proudly tell generations of family members that you helped make Bakersfield hen friendly! What we are asking for is reasonable and fair while enhancing the quality of life experiences for families.
Happy New Year Everyone,