To the Editor,

I am writing to ask you (Tecumseh City Council) to go ahead and approve the backyard chicken ordinance as soon as possible, rather than making it go to the ballot in November.

You see, I’m a home-schooling mom with grade-school-age kids, and I always want them to learn hands-on as much as possible. Having a few backyard hens would give us dozens, if not hundreds, of lessons. Here are just a few.

Science class is obvious, but it’s a biggie. Kids can watch, up close and personal, as a baby chick grows into an adult hen, and then lays some healthy organic eggs for the table. This opens up conversations about responsibility, healthy food, and composting, to name just a few.

Math? I plan to have the kids figure out how much a dozen eggs cost to produce. Then they can compare that amount with what eggs are sold for in local farmers markets.

And last but not least, civics. My kids have already had the opportunity of watching a small group of committed people rally an entire community in favor of letting people have all those learning experiences with their families. My kids are excited and ready to get started.

All it takes is for council to do the right thing and approve that ordinance.

Because, if you do it right away, we can still get our flock as baby chicks (spring is baby chicks season, FYI). And my kids can watch firsthand as a baby chick grows into an adult hen, and then lays some healthy organic eggs for the table.

Or, they could just read their lessons from a dusty textbook. You get to decide.

Alycia Spreeman
Tecumseh

(http://tecumsehherald.com/content/resident-seeks-backyard-chicken-ordinance-2)

To the Editor,

My family is new to Tecumseh. We don’t know everyone we see by name or recognize every face, but what we do know is that wherever we go around town, there is a friendly person, waving or sharing a greeting.

When my husband retired, we moved here to be part of small town America and raise our children in a community where neighbors know one another. As a military family, we lived in several different cities and states. In many of them people didn’t even recognize their own next door neighbors, much less know their name and their story.

We have found a welcoming community here in Tecumseh, and have never regretted our decision to relocate here, until recently.

I had never considered raising chickens, but I assumed living in a farming community made that an option. I was disappointed to learn that having chickens was not allowed in the city limits. Chickens can be wonderful pets and provide an incredible learning opportunity for children in sustainability and responsibility.

For my family, it isn’t only about the chickens in town at this point. It’s about being forward thinking and encouraging residents to work together, rather than divide them. It’s about showing Tecumseh’s residents that they will be heard and respected. It’s about trusting people to be independent thinkers and be thoughtful and lawful citizens. Please adopt the chicken ordinance.

Let’s move Tecumseh forward together.

Kim Ziemer
Tecumseh

(http://tecumsehherald.com/content/resident-seeks-backyard-chicken-ordinance-1)

To the Editor,

It is time that the city council approves backyard chickens in Tecumseh. It seems that the majority of folks would like the opportunity to raise their own food. This would be a win-win for all involved. We do have allergies in my household and it would sure be beneficial to us to produce our own eggs.

We the people of Tecumseh will remember which council members have knocked the backyard chickens down. But there’s still time for the people to forget and move on, if ya’ll stop bucking the idea.

Cluck, cluck.

Mary Welden
Tecumseh

(http://tecumsehherald.com/content/resident-seeks-backyard-chicken-ordinance-0)

To the Editor,

City Council, the people have spoken, and we want chickens.

The petitions have been turned in and an overwhelming amount of Tecumseh residents are okay with the proposed backyard chicken ordinance. So please don’t drag your feet. Approve it now so we can all move on with our lives and start providing food for our families, entertainment for our children and peace in our community.

Johanna Russo
Tecumseh

(http://tecumsehherald.com/content/resident-seeks-backyard-chicken-ordinance)

To the Editor,

So often, for most people, including myself, we tend to place things on the back burner when we are faced with decisions we are inexperienced in. I think this is a normal human trait. I feel the backyard chicken ordinance is a great example of this.

Yes, I am thankful that council has acknowledged this ordinance every time it has been brought to the table. However, this time, I am asking for council to approve this proposed ordinance, rather than placing it, once again, on the back burner for a general vote in November. Here is why I believe this is so...

Based on my experience raising laying hens for 20 years, this is a wonderful time of year to institute the ordinance, for greater success. There would be ample time, due to nice weather for the next six months, for citizens to prepare for their birds (proper licenses, housing, purchasing, etc.) to arrive.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Corinne Bonafino
Tecumseh

(http://tecumsehherald.com/content/resident-seeks-backyard-chicken-ordinance-3)

We recently received an insightful email from an out-of-town supporter. Thanks, Beverly!

Hope you get to have chickens

I live in Sand Creek, so I can't sign your petition, but I do hope Tecumseh residents will soon be able to have chickens. I really can't understand why anyone would be against this. Chickens in town are the rage for "with it" communities. I came here in 1970 to go to Adrian College, and in the 45 years I've lived here, I've seen Tecumseh work hard to be a hip, up and coming place to live. Not allowing backyard chickens is contrary to these efforts. My impression (as an older person) is that people who are against backyard chickens are older people that perhaps see this as a step backwards. Nobody is going to make anyone who doesn't want chickens have chickens, and their neighbors having chickens will not bother them in the least. I really don't see what all the fuss is about, and I'm sorry that those in power have dug in their heels and made this such a battle. There are many more important issues towards which those efforts could be put.

~Beverly Larsen

Here's the Tecumseh Herald's report on the conclusion of our petition drive, along with helpful background info on what happens next:

http://tecumsehherald.com/content/backyard-chicken-support-ends-950-signatures

Here's an article from the Adrian Daily Telegram about the successful conclusion of our petition drive: 

http://www.lenconnect.com/article/20150502/NEWS/150509850