Postby Ann Stahlheber » Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:55 pm
Thanks everyone for the supportive discussion. It seems that our council people have trailed off in the follow up discussion. One thing that Betsy pointed out is that she felt that the mayor was acting on his opinion. I know she mentioned that she couldn't attend the meeting, and I believe the Mayor cleared that up at the meeting. He stated that prior to meeting with the three pilot families to discuss this issue, he had his doubts too. Honestly, it is a new idea for many. But through meeting with the prospective hen keepers, reading their proposals, research, he decided to use his legal authority (which the council re-affirmed in July) to grant the pilot project happen, to see if (in Reese's words) perceptions are reality or myth. So I don't believe that the Mayor was using his own personal opinion. He was presented with the almost 400 person petition, letters of support from local veterinarians, business owners, organizations, and of course the recommendation from David Anderson on behalf of the Animal Welfare Board. He used this information to determine that a pilot project is worth a try, and well within his power.
Some members of council began complaining that the mayor was overstepping his power, because it seems that they are the ones with the pre-conceived negative attitude toward hen keeping. There was not one single call in to the Mayor's office to complain about the exemption between last Monday and this Monday. It seems that Councilman Powers introduced emergency legislation based on his (and other council members) own opinions of what they think the mayor has the right to do, because they didn't think that hen-keeping was right for Lakewood. To the contrary, the council received dozens of emails and calls in favor of the exemptions.
Let the pilot happen Mayor Summers!! Let this well planned approach play out in the pilot families backyards.
Ann Stahlheber M.S. R.D. L.D. C.S.N.