C.O.O.P. group

[Sam Jones]

I am a founding member of a newly formed group, called C.O.O.P., or 'Chickens On Our Property'. Our mission is to get the ordinance that makes it illegal to keep chickens within city limits changed. Our small group has been meeting weekly to discuss ways we can bring this issue to the attention of the residents of Johnson City, as well as how to best convince our City Commissioners to accept our proposed amendment. Our next meeting will be next Wed, Aug. 24th, at 1:15. We meet in the picnic pavilion that's located in Carver Park (located 2 blocks behind the Down Home and site of the Carver Peace Gardens.) If you'd like to legally have a small flock of hens in your backyard, I hope you'll join us as we work together to make this change. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. You can keep up to date on this issue by visiting our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/COOP-Group-Chickens-On-Our-Property/1...  and we'll have our own website up and running in the near future too, so you can 'stay abreast'.

[Sam Jones]

I forgot to add something: the Johnson City Press has posed the "Question of the Week": Should chickens be allowed in city backyards?" They've promised to print as many letters as possible. If you'd like to have your own small flock of hens, and help our effort, please consider writing a letter to the editor and send it to:

[e-mail]

[Lyn A. Govette]

I would love to have some chickens at my place. Like to see the law changed but as a working (Mon-Fri) person I can not attend any meetings in middle of day. I did write a note to the mayor with information on how wonderful and safe keeping a small backyard flock is...also mentioned how progressive, sustainable and what an asset to JC this change would be, the city that wants to be a "liveable city".

[Sam Jones]

Thanks for your letter Lyn-and your support! I'm sure hopeful this time it will be passed. If you can't attend our meetings, hopefully you'll see us at the JC Farmer's Market each Saturday morning. I'll be there this week, with Rosemary the hen on hand to amaze and entertain you. OK, maybe that last part's pushing it, but she'll be with me to at least eat raisins from your hand. haha