Spreading the word

I firmly believe that if our group hopes to accomplish our goal-to get city council to seriously consider backyard chicken and make them legal-we have to send two messages:

• There are sufficient numbers of Westerville citizens to make this worth considering, and that we are reasonable, responsible people who will take good care of our birds and never allow them to become a nuisance or danger.
• There are also a number of Westerville citizens who don't want birds of their own, have no objection to hens in their neighborhoods.  This is the kind of support that will make or break or break our efforts!

Now is the time for everyone who wants to see legal hens in Westerville to help push our education efforts.  You can help do this by writing 4 letters: one to city council, and one each to the Columbus Dispatch, Westerville News & Public Opinion and Westerville This Week.  A letter on paper would be best to send to city council, email is fine fo rletters to the editor at a newspaper.

What to say?

• Briefly tell why you want chickens, or why you are agreeable to them.
• If you have had practical, hands on expereince with chickens, or have been around them in any way, talk about it in the most positive (but honest) way you can!
• Stay positive, polite and  courteous-let the opposition came across as hot headed, nuts or kooks.
• Letters of moderate length that make a few points in a vivid, effective way are much better that a long, hard to read letter that tries to say everything.
• If you state facts, try to back them up with a source.

Accomplishing a goal is easier when a group works together. The more people we can get writing these letters of support, the closer we get to that goal. Speak to your neighbors, friends and family members!