Subject: Chickens
Date: Tues, 23 Jul 2013 10:01:24 -0400
To: Mark

Are you seriously telling me that this backyard chicken issue is that big of a deal? All the local sites that I troll for stuff to make fun of are littered with backyard chicken hysterics. I don’t get it? How is this a big deal?
Best Regards,
Dan

On Jul 23, 2013, at 10:51 AM, Mark wrote:
I agree that it isn’t a big deal. However there are those that live in this city that for whatever reason- hobby, sport, personality (too much time on their hands), get off on telling other residents what they can and can’t do on their properties or in their homes. It’s why I’d never belong to a HOA. My house. My rules. GFYS. Once these people who coincidentally hold sway in neighborhood groups (some of which actually charge dues to be a “member” of) and that means they have some weight at city hall with some of our elected officials. This could be a good thing. In this case I think it is a very bad thing.
I should be able to (so long as I don’t have a postage stamp backyard) keep chickens for the fresh eggs they provide. They also eat pests like the c**k sucking Japanese beetles (that decimated my heirloom purple basil over the weekend), and ticks that as you know, give our dogs problems. Here’s the dirty little secret too- people are already keeping “illegal” chickens in Lowell. I don’t know about you but my dog’s head hasn’t fallen off yet as a consequence.
-Mark

Subject: Re: Chickens
From: Tobes
Date: Tues, 23 Jul 2013 11:31:44 -0400
To: Mark

I hear what you’re saying, but this issue seems less about chickens, coops, or regulations, and more about fear of your neighbor being an a-hole. As a staunch Belvideresman, we tend to honor a “don’t walk on the lawn” mentality when it comes to neighborly relations.
I also share space with a neighbor who illegally keeps chickens and it’s not a problem because the guy is a world class neighbor. Chickens are no different than chiminea’s, and horseshoe pits…nobody cares until you start acting like an a-hole. I don’t see any need for change.
Best Regards,
Dan

On Jul 23, 2013, at 11:40 AM, Mark wrote:

Totally agree there. But the problem there is people already act like a-holes. Look at all points west of Bridge Street; garbage for next week makes it to the curb the day after this week’s pickup. People freak out. Are we going to punish a whole city for fear of what a group of said a-holes are going to maybe do?
I think the mountain out of a mole hill rule applies here. If community activists didn’t get their knickers in a twist over it, no one would have noticed. We’ve seen time and time again what can happen when a small group of vocal people with sway starts opening their mouths. Take for instance the rhetoric that “Lena Dunham is the voice of a generation” conversation that people started to believe instead of the more appropriate conversation of “Lena Dunham needs to get on a diet, stop doing nude scenes, and get a better tattoo artist.”
-Mark

Subject: Re: Chickens
From: Tobes
Date: Tues, 23 Jul 2013 12:18:40 -0400
To: Mark

Lena Dunham upsets my stomach whether there’s a chicken in the backyard or not. I’m glad we got that cleared up.
Also, I don’t think any section of Bridge Street can qualify as a true model for human behavior…at least until we confirm that those folks are actually human. That’s the problem with this, and every ordinance…they apply to everyone. Ordinances should work on the same system as Karate belts…once you’ve achieved black-belt citizen status, you can do whatever you want. (We should have to wear our belts at all times too…or at least on Friday’s.)

And on that note…
I think it’s hysterical that an argument against this is the lack of resources applied to “animal control.” As far as I’m concerned, what the entire LPD squad does 24/7 is animal control. At least until we put a dent in the sword play in Centralville. In conclusion, I support status quo until Centralville separates from the union.
Best Regards,
Dan

On Jul 23, 2013, at 12:50 PM, Mark wrote:

I would rather date a backyard chicken then Lena Dunham.
It’s a good thing I don’t live in Centralville then. I breathe the air of Christian Hill: Home of trees, a rez, a state rep, and honest to goodness working folk. But I think as long as residents want to keep hens, they should keep hens. For those providing the thoughtful “move to the country” proclamations …your simple, made for a bumper sticker argument could be more irrelevant to the issue. Yes neighborhood “leaders” I’m looking at you.
-Mark

Subject: Re: Chickens
From: Tobes
Date: Tues, 23 Jul 2013 1:18:40 -0400
To: Mark

I would totally date Lena Dunham…but only on the internet. I bet she would always have clever little things to say about the people who annoy me in my facebook stream.
Best Regards,
Dan