More Gulfport Chicken News

From Andrew of the Atlanta Pet Chicken Meetup.....
This is an email I received Tuesday evening from Gulfport City Commissioner Michele King after the City Commission Meeting. Councilwoman King is going against everyone to help change the city ordinances so PET CHICKENS will be allowed.

Hey Andrew, just got back from the council meeting and we did vote 3 to 2 to bring the chicken ordinance back. The key to it passing on next reading will be to make sure Mary Stull votes in favor. I got her to agree to bring it back but I'm not sure when it happens if she will vote in favor or not. So.....anyone interested should call and/or write Mary Stull and get her convinced. Good luck! Michele

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing

"Bringing it back" merely means they are going to VOTE on it again so we are only HALFWAY there. I recommend that EVERYONE thank Michele King for her support and write EVERY council member and the mayor and let them know how we feel. Michele King feels that MARY STULL is going to cast the deciding vote so we need to convince her.

Here is a condenced version of what I sent to all of the city council and I believe gets right to the point.

ADVANTAGES:
You get hormone-free/antibiotic-free eggs that tastes better and are healthier than store bought eggs for less tan $1 per dozen.
Provide a use for food scraps which generates fertilizer (manure) for the garden and cuts down on landfill usage.
Free organic garden fertilizer allows residents to grow healthier food.
They provide organic pest control of insects for your yard.
They are entertaining companions.

If you aren't aware the backyard chicken movement is growing nationwide because people want to get back to their roots and live a more simple lifestyle. Having pet chickens is just one way they can do this. No one is saying people should be allowed to have 50 chickens in their backyard (just like I can't have 10 dogs or cats) but allowing a few backyard laying hens seems like a sensible thing to do. Hernando county and Ybor City have looked at and dealt with this same issue successfully as have many other cities nationwide. They have faced this issue and resolved it by allowing chickens as long as they are pets and forbid the raising, selling and slaughter of them.

CNN, ABC, NBS, and the large newspapers have already had articles regarding the "Pet Chicken Phenomenon" and your city's dilemia has nationwide interest.

I kindly ask that you consider these points when you are making your decision regarding the keeping of pet chickens at your next meeting. This isn't only about one families' chickens, but is more a statement that the City Of Gulfport, Florida values personal freedom

If everyone would spend a few minutes to send an email , fax or call, we can insure that Jennifer Conroy and her family get to keep their pet chickens.

Here is a list of the phone numbers and email addresses for the Gulfport, Florida City Council.
Mayor, Mike Yakes (Currently voted yes, to bring it back for a vote.)
E-mail Address: myakes@ci.gulfport.fl.us
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Council Member, Michele King Voted yes. 100% for Chickens!
E-mail Address: mking@ci.gulfport.fl.us
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Council Member, Mary Stull Voted yes but must be convinced.
E-mail Address: mstull@ci.gulfport.fl.us
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Council Member, Judy Ryerson Voted NO.
E-mail Address: jryerson@ci.gulfport.fl.us
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Council Member, Bob Worthington Voted NO
E-mail Address: bworthington@ci.gulfport.fl.us
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Gulfport FL Case

A very brief history follows from Andy Schneider (aka The Chicken Whisperer) regarding the Gulfport, Florida chicken case. For more detailed information, the links to the newspaper articles are listed below...

A local police officer was on an unrelated call, and heard what sounded like a chicken. He went to investigate, and saw chickens in Jennifer Conroy's back yard. He took pictures, and gave her a ticket! Apparently the Mayor, and City Council members unanimously voted "YES" to allow Jennifer to keep her chickens. Then it interestingly came up for another vote when two of the City Council members were conveniently out of town. You guessed it! The two council members who voted in favor, and still are in favor of allowing pet chickens were the one's that were out of town.

First newspaper article: http://www.tampabay.c...
Second newspaper article: http://www.tampabay.c...

This is where it stands right now...

I sent out a mass e-mail to all of you asking for your help regarding this matter. Many of you responded with wonderful letters, and e-mails. Here is how your letters helped...

Last night at the Gulfport City Council Meeting our letters, e-mails, and even the CBS 46 video about our club was mentioned specifically! One City Council member stated, "I have gotten at least 30 e-mails in support of allowing backyard chckens!" "There is even a video about Atlanta allowing pet chickens!" You should be very proud of yourselves for getting involved. This just shows that we CAN make a difference.

Now what?

Well, the Gulfport City Council decided to let Jennifer keep her chickens for now. They are going to bring this back up for a vote at the next meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd. So this is far from over!

Again, this is not over! We ALL need to send an e-mail in support of this woman, and pet chickens! Here is the updated info...

City of Gulfport Florida
2401 53rd Street South
Gulfport Florida, 33707
727-893-1000
727-893-1005 (Fax)

Mayor, Mike Yakes (Currently voting yes, but not a strong yes.)
E-mail Address: myakes@ci.gulfport.fl.us

Council Member, Michele King (Currently voting yes. All for it.)
E-mail Address: mking@ci.gulfport.fl.us

Council Member, Mary Stull (Currently voting yes, but on the fence.)
E-mail Address: mstull@ci.gulfport.fl.us

Council Member, Judy Ryerson (Currently voting no. Strongly against it.)
E-mail Address: jryerson@ci.gulfport.fl.us
Special Note: She claims she grew up on a farm, and has bad memories of chickens.

Council Member, Bob Worthington (Currently voting no. Strongly against it.)
E-mail Address: bworthington@ci.gulfport.fl.us
Special Note: Claims that if they allow pet chickens they will have to allow pet cows, and there would be no end to what else they would have to allow.

If not you then who? If not now then when? (phillip vera cruz)

We can all make a difference in this city, if you just take the time to send a short letter or e-mail!

Thanks,

Andy (Chicken Whisperer)