To the editor:
I am a third-generation resident of the Village of Fayetteville. When my grandparents purchased the property in 1933, the property was not in the village limits. They had dozens of chickens as well as a few horses. In the mid-1970s, the village grew and my grandparents’ property became subject to the Village of Fayetteville rules and regulations and taxes. Our family has been regretting it ever since.
And now, in an odd and ironic turn of events, my property may once again be home to no more than 12 hens — thanks to the grace and wisdom of our village overseers. But boy, had I better make sure I am a good chicken owner — or else! The “guidelines” for ownership render the chickens a better life than I am able to afford — given village taxes what they are.
But, what happens when it comes time to — ahem — “retire” the chicken in question? Will I then be subject to cruelty to animals if I decide to chop off its head? What happens if I chop off its head and a child witnesses the horror and becomes emotionally scarred? Will I be subject to penalties? Has the village exposed itself to liability for such a possible (one might say probable) lawsuit? I don’t think the mayor or the trustees fully thought out the possible unintended consequences of this important legislation!
And I am disappointed in the sexist nature of this legislation. Roosters are still prohibited. Not only is this blatantly sexist against roosters, but it is damn unfair to those cute little hens who might want some male company. And there are no provisions for transgendered “poultry.” What if one of my chickens decides to utter a decidedly masculine crow instead of the more traditional and probably culturally constructed mild feminine cluck? If my hen decides it identifies as a rooster, even though it may not be an anatomical rooster — what then?!
I wonder when people will decide they’ve had enough of Fayetteville playing the “nanny state.” The mayor and the trustees seem to want to be the filter through which freedom flows. That is not the role of good government, but as long as the residents put up with it (and them), this is what we get.
What’s next Fayetteville — applications for licenses to have non-spousal conjugal visitors in one’s own home?
David Vickers
Fayetteville
