August 03, 2011

Delaying

I have received responses from most of the City Council members by now. What I learned is that two of the five members are in favor of discussing a possible change and the other three do not wish to even entertain the possibility because (for no specified reason), "it wouldn't be in the best interest of the city".

It seems that in order to convince a discussion on this topic, we need to show that there is enough support amongst Brooklyn Center residents for allowing backyard hens - in-person support at the City Council meetings and shows of support in other ways. I think some clear ways to do that are gathering in-person support at a specified City Council meeting (or series of meetings) and also in gathering at least 1,000 signatures from adult residents so we can say, "Hey - look at what our residents are saying, look at all of the support in the city!" The more signatures we can gather, the better - Brooklyn Center has a population of 30,000 residents (figure roughly 15,000-20,000 adults) so we'd probably need at least 1,000 before the Council would have much reason to take notice.

We also need to find residents who are able and willing to call a City Council member (or several) to express support OR write an email or a letter of support to the City or the City Council members OR write an OpEd in the Sun Times OR attend a City Council meeting and present briefly during the Public Forum (really - just a statement of "I support backyard hens." would be effective!).

And of course, anyone who can help us gather signatures friom supportive Brooklyn Center residents would be greatly appreciated as well.

We are going to hold off on presenting anything at the City Council meetings until we have gathered what we feel is a solid base of support from residents here in our city. It seems like anything sooner would be a waste of time, as the three members who are against changing the ordinance appear to be firmly positioned there without any desire to converse.

" Earnestly did I beseech, but to no avail."

July 27, 2011

Help Gather Signatures!

You can help us add signatures from Brooklyn Center residents to our petition! This is the best way to show Brooklyn Center that there is support in the community to allow hens here. Please consider helping us out and getting your neighbors on board!

This part explains the Petition in more detail

This is the Signatures part of the Petition

Opening Up a Dialogue with the City Council

I emailed the Mayor and each of the City Council members this morning. In the email, I asked for their comments, questions, and concerns regarding the proposed change to allow hens in Brooklyn Center. I inquired why they supported or opposed permitting hens here. I requested either a written response or a scheduled meeting so I could learn more about their views on this important issue.

I hope that I receive responses from each of the 5 members (including the Mayor). If I don't hear from them by Friday afternoon, I'll try calling to see if I can set up individual appointments to meet one-on-one.

My intent is to open a dialogue with the City Council to find out why some (or all?) of them oppose changing the current ordinance. We want to see what can be done to overcome whatever barriers are blocking progress. Maybe they need to see a specific number of residents who support this issue? Perhaps they require assurance that hens won't cause illness to the public? We aren't sure what the reasons are for not moving forward at this time, but are willing to do whatever it takes to ease their minds. It would also be nice to know who on the Council supports hens and who does not.

Hens really are great, and I miss my four joyful feathered ladies so much! I don't think I would have become so passionate about this issue had I never been a hen owner. Now that I know what I'm missing out on, I have the drive and determination to set things right.
These hens are chasing each other to get a caterpillar we'd found munching on
the broccoli plants. It's true, hens really are a great method of pest control for gardens.

July 24, 2011

Become a Facebook Fan of Brooklyn Center Backyard Hens

One easy way to show your support (for everyone, not just for BC residents!) is to become a fan of our Community Support page on Facebook. You can become a fan by clicking the "Like" button at the top of the B.C. Backyard Hens page:

Brooklyn Center Backyard Hens

As always, you are welcome to email us with any questions, concerns, comments, stories, or resources that you used to help garner support for responsible hen ownership in your community! Our email address is: brooklyncenterhens@gmail.com

There is a City Council meeting this Monday, July 25, 2011. I will be there, but won't be making a big presentation until we've gathered a substantial number of names/signatures from Brooklyn Center residents who support hens - so sometime in August or September? I hope to have gathered many signatures by that time and also have rounded up some fine folks (like you!) to come with us to the meeting.

City Council meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month .Your presence sends a strong message to the City Council showing that the residents of Brooklyn Center are in favor of changing this ordinance - especially if you make a very quick statement ("I support hens in B.C.") during the public forum or wear/hold something to visually support backyard hens.

Show your support for hens with this t-shirt! They are $16.50 after you apply the coupon code (no tax if your order's going to MN and keep reading for details on free shipping).

Click here to order yours - you can change the t-shirt style (men's, women's, short-sleeve, long-sleeve, tank top, etc) and they are available in all sizes for adults, kids, babies, and even pets!


Want to visibly show your support at the City Council meeting? Get this shirt for $16.50 at Zazzle.com. You could wear it to the City Council meetings in Aug/Sept or just wear it around town. We don't make money from this - it's merely an easy and effective way to show that you support hens here.
If you enter the coupon code SAYITTSHIRTS, you will get $5 off each shirt that is in your order. It worked for us - says on their website that it expires 8/31/2011, so it is good for awhile yet. Also, you can sign up for a free trial of Zazzle Black which gives you free standard shipping. Cancel before the 30 day trial is up and it is completely free, after that they charge $10 for a year of free shipping.

July 23, 2011

Support for hens in Brooklyn Center, MN

Hens rid yards of pests including ants, slugs, ticks, centipedes, mosquitoes, and even mice!
Do you live in Brooklyn Center? Please get in touch to find out how to sign our petition to change the animals ordinance to allow hens. Or send us an email to let us know you support this cause: brooklyncenterhens@gmail.com

Additionally, please consider coming to the City Council Meetings (held every 2nd and 4th Monday) to share your support to the Council in person. The next meetings are July 25, August 8, and August 22nd. Come at 6:45 pm to show that you support changing this outdated ordinance!

You can also show your support by sending an email or a letter to the City Clerk or to one or all of the City Council members (listed at the end of this post). It would be great if you emailed us a copy of what you sent, so we have a better idea of how many people are showing Brooklyn Center that they support hens. Our City Clerk is Sharon Knutson and you can reach her at: cityclerk@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us or by US mail:

Sharon Knutson, City Clerk
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy.
Brooklyn Center, MN  55430

Why bother changing the ordinance?

Hens provide food, don't use much space, and they are quieter & produce less waste than dogs or cats. The waste they do produce is compostable, unlike most other animals. They are great pets, lay eggs that are more delicious and healthy than those found in the grocery store, and they are relatively easy to responsibly care for.
 
Hens are permitted in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Roseville, Rosemount, and Burnsville, to name a few nearby places. We'd like to be able to proudly add Brooklyn Center to that list. You hardly have to step foot outside of Brooklyn Center to see firsthand that allowing hens in a city does not pose a threat to the health, safety, comfort, repose, or welfare of the public. Let's make Brooklyn Center a better place to call home and get rid of this unnecessary and overreaching government restriction. It doesn't protect the public from anything, as hens are neither a danger nor a nuisance.

Contact City Council Members:

Mayor Tim Willson
7007 Dallas Road
Brooklyn Center, MN  55430
phone: 763-503-5729
voice: 763-569-3450
Term of Office - 1/1/07 - 12/31/14
mayorwillson@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us

Councilmember Carol Kleven
5835 Zenith Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN  55429
phone:  763-561-3495
voice:  763-569-3446
Term of Office – 1/1/11 – 12/31/14
councilmemberkleven@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us

Councilmember Kay Lasman
4407 Woodbine Lane
Brooklyn Center, MN  55429
phone: 763-560-6689
voice: 763-569-3448
Term of Office - 1/1/97 - 12/31/12
councilmemberlasman@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us

Councilmember Tim Roche
816 69th Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN  55430
phone:  763-772-3017
voice:  763-569-3447
Term of Office – 1/1/09 – 12/31/12
councilmemberroche@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us

Councilmember Dan Ryan
6442 Indiana Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN  55429
phone: 763-535-4177
voice:  763-569-3445
Term of Office - 1/1/07 - 12/31/14
councilmemberryan@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us