Chicken petition becomes rewarding experience

To the Editor:Since April 10, we’ve been collecting signatures in support of legalizing backyard chicken-keeping within Tecumseh’s city limits. What started out as a daunting task has turned into a rewarding experience. Through this process we’ve rediscovered what a great town Tecumseh is — and can be.With clipboards and petitions in hand, we’ve hosted events, attended other community events, rode our bikes around town, and walked door-to-door showing our support for the Tecumseh Backyard Chickens movement. We’ve sent emails, texts and Facebook messages to long-lost friends and acquaintances who grew up in Tecumseh, childhood and current neighbors, coworkers, friends, business owners, service club members, and more. We’ve turned to the table next to us at restaurants and have actually initiated conversation with unfamiliar people. As a family, we’ve introduced ourselves to neighbors, been invited into strangers’ homes, and have met numerous dynamic people we otherwise wouldn’t have known. Simply by asking for a signature in support of the freedom to keep these low-maintenance, useful pets.We’ve stepped out of our comfort zone and as a result we’ve taught our daughters to stand up for what they believe in.We’ve demonstrated through our actions that a small group of passionate people can make a difference. For us, it’s not about the proposed ordinance, which would allow residents of single-family homes to keep up to six hens (no roosters allowed) in a securely enclosed coop in their backyard. In fact, we personally aren’t planning on having chickens at our home. For us, it’s about the bigger picture. The petition is about creating the type of community we want to raise our family in.Where people know their neighbors and perhaps get to know one another through something as simple as sharing a few extra eggs.It’s also about knowing our food has come from a humanely raised animal rather than from a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), which is all too common today.Tecumseh is home to many caring, forward-thinking people who aren’t afraid to embrace new ideas. Because of them, our town has the potential to truly be innovative, timeless, and inviting. For more information, including how to sign the petition, visit www.tecumsehbackyardchickens.com.Respectfully,Jessica and Scott WhitehouseTecumseh

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-2174
800-832-6443

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