Chicken Request

The Mayberry Times did it again.  They printed an article that was, well, so oddly written that when I read it aloud to Kent, I laughed until I cried.  And, that was certainly not the intent of the writer nor the newspaper at large.

I challenge you to read this article outloud to someone and not laugh.  Bet you can't.

What makes it especially funny to me is that the Citizen Hannah Barnett that is spoken of is my pastor's wife.   I can't help thinking that perhaps she was in a former life a leader in the French Revolution.  In actuality, they should have called her Citizeness Hannah Barnett.  Perhaps she is the one that was confined to a coup...no getting along with the government for her!  No, a complete takeover is what she must have had in mind when she approached the Mayberry City Council.

Here you go, and remember that laughter is good for the heart and the soul.

Doniphan Council Considers Busy Agenda, Favors Chicken Request

After much deliberation the Doniphan city council came to the Oct. 1 meeting with a unanimous decision to amend the city ordinance to allow chickens. However, this is to be on a trial basis, and comes with a lengthy list of restrictions.

Even so, the zoning and planning commission must first also approve the ordinance change.

The city had heard a request to allow chickens from citizen, Hannah Barnett, at the September meeting.

Having made the decision, Doniphan City Attorney Christopher Miller will take the city’s list and draft a preliminary ordinance that will be presented to the commission. A public hearing will follow, during which residents of the city can have a say.

Miller advised against changing the ordinance, which he said was actually rewritten in part because of an issue with chickens.

It was thought that problem was a complaint because of roosters crowing.

Certainly there will be a limit as to the number of chickens, a ban on roosters, a set-back requirement from the homeowner’s property, and requirements as to confinement to a coup, the structure itself, and sanitation.

Residents who decide to keep chickens also would have to submit to an annual inspection and purchase a permit.

Code violators would be given a specific number of days to comply or be shut down.

That within itself was a huge concession for the council. They were concerned that Brian Byrd, who is both the city’s code enforcement officer and also the fire chief, might not have time to take on another responsibility.

Mayor Dennis Cox said he was not in favor of permitting chickens, stating that it is difficult and time consuming enough for Byrd to have to enforce city habitation ordinances.

Cox also expressed his opinion that, “We already have a problem with dogs and cats being out of control. I am not convinced we need to add another animal that might potentially cause more problems.”

Alderman Denver Jackson was not present at the meeting; however, Alderpersons Riley March, Leslie Netherland and Steve Collins each said they were willing to permit residents to keep chickens, within reasonable guidelines, at least on a trial basis.

“We can always change it back later,” they said.

Collins noted that he polled his neighborhood and out of 11 individuals he asked for an opinion, only two objected.