Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader October 5, 2012 Commissioner Nora Patterson added, "I guess I feel like our Code Enforcement plate is real- ly full," as she voiced opposition to the speak- ers' request. Interviewed by the News Leader on Oct. 3, Miller said CLUCK representatives would try again to seek commission support for some direction to staff before beginning the com- munity outreach. However, he was not certain when that next contact with the commission- ers would come. CLUCK members could go out with a petition asking peo- ple whether they sup- port a move to make chicken-keeping legal, Miller pointed out, but people can be expect- ed to ask questions CLUCK members lack the expertise to answer. "They're going to say, 'I can't write you a blank check,'" Miller added. CLUCK members need a draft ordinance that has been vetted by the appropriate county staff — from the County Attorney's Office to the Extension Office to Code Enforcement to Planning and Development Services — he said, before going out into the community. Lack of such a formal proposal, he said, is "one of the things we're really struggling with." THE PUBLIC PLEAS During the public comments portion of the Sept. 25 County Commission meeting, LaVon Kennell said he accepted about two dozen chicken eggs three years ago from the parents Page 10 of an Army buddy in Oklahoma. He talked of how excited his 1-year-old daughter was when the chicks were hatched. About seven months ago, Kennell said, a Code Enforcement officer showed up at his home and explained the family was in violation of county ordinance by keeping the chickens. "I didn't realize … you couldn't have backyard chickens in a non-deed-restricted part of the county," he added. I just see that people just want to have one thing in their life to help sustain themselves. I think having chickens in the county would be a really good step …. Ira Kleinschmidt CLUCK member Since he has given up the birds, Kennell said, his daughter has been asking, "Where are my chick-chicks?" Gabriel Cortez talked of how his children played less with video games and spent less time watching TV when they had chickens for which to care. Cortez and others also pointed to the quality of fresh eggs for meals and the fact that the chickens eat insects, reducing the need for pesticide use in their yards and gardens. Ira Kleinschmidt told the commissioners he had created a business by building and selling chicken coops "from Dade City to Naples." Kleinschmidt added, "I just see that people just want to have one thing in their life to help sustain themselves. I think having chickens in the county would be a really good step …." Meleney Yoder's autistic son spoke of how much he had enjoyed the eggs from his fam- ily's chickens until neighbors complained to Code Enforcement.