When Bethlehem City Council initially proposed a backyard chicken ordinance, they refused Mayor Willie Reynolds' request to have the matter considered by the public safety committee. Paige Van Wirt, sponsor of chickens, insisted she already had all the details. Two weeks ago, the vote was delayed because a number of amendments were offered, indicating that Van Wirt might have missed a few of those details. Last night, and without discussion, City Council unanimously voted to send the chicken ordinance and all related amendments and resolutions to Council's public safety committee. That's what they refused to do four weeks ago.
I personally have no problem with a back yard chicken pilot program. But I believe all adjoining property owners should have the right to say No.
I’m not liking this chicken stuff. Bethlehem previously allowed coops and then banned them, so obviously there were issues. I live in a crowded, yet relatively quiet, area and would rather not have a bunch of chicken clucking about. Perhaps I have become a curmudgeon, but I do value peace and solitude.
ReplyDeleteI think the City Council laid an egg on this one. You should have seen all the critters at the BIG TENT under the Bridge at Musikfest. They were doing something called the chicken dance. I learned something new there Bernie. Do you know what a chicken can do that you can't do? It can eat with its pecker. How about that.
ReplyDeleteHokie Joe.
They should also review public safety of dogs and cats.
ReplyDeletewhy not chickens they already have asses on the second floor and in council chambers
ReplyDeleteDonkeys too
DeleteSince when is there peace and solitude in the city limits, I thought that was why people went to the country. Critters and even chickens is not what you folk should be worried about. You definitely have much more serious issues to fear.
ReplyDeleteCan adjoining property owners also veto dog and cat ownership? If so, count me in.
ReplyDeleteBethlehem City Council continues down the path of irrelevance as they push chickens, a zero impact feel good climate change plan, a pipe dream pedestrian bridge and badly structured “incentives” to encourage developers to build low-income housing.
ReplyDeleteChickens belong on farms not in the city. This bill is truly a boondoggle pushed by a couple councilwomen that do not represent mainstream thinking in Bethlehem.
ReplyDeleteThe sky is falling, the sky is falling!🐓
ReplyDeleteLook up some of the mitigation rules when a flock, backyard or commercial, is affected with avian flu.
ReplyDeleteMost are aware of the United States’ strategic petroleum reserve. But it would be news to many that we also have a strategic chicken reserve to account for mass destruction of the US chicken population due to avian flu or other catastrophe. Let that not start in Bethlehem.
ReplyDeleteVan Wirt should have cast her net wider on her chicken research. A quick search of the Web will show recent studies in Australia indicated that backyard chicken eggs have 40 times more lead than in commercially available eggs. And the levels were at "unacceptable levels" not that any lead is good especially for the brains of children. Ask the Bethlehem Health Bureau staff about lead and children. So, what do you think we would find in the analysis of soil in city of Bethlehem? Chickens love to peck in the ground for insects. I thought free range is what people like and tout the benefit for chickens and the humans that consume them and their eggs. I love the goofiness coming out of the mouths of those leftie loonies in Bethlehem. Sure glad I moved out.
ReplyDeleteBethlehems newest city council. Their own worst enemy. This is a joke. The city, specifically the south side is nothing like it was back in the 60s 70s and even the 80s. Abolish this chicken shit and move onto something new.
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